Blog Posts

4/2/2019

YOUTH AND JUDGING

January 15
Robert Vokes and Darleen Harens, PRP, served as judges for the BPA (Business Professionals of America) regional parliamentary competition on Friday, January 25 which was held at Wayzata High School, Plymouth, MN.
Three schools sent teams to this competition.

March 8
Darleen Harens, PRP, Michael Orr, RP, and Robert Vokes served as judges for the BPA state parliamentary competition on Friday, March 8 at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis.

Thank you to all the individuals who have consented to assist in judging these high school parliamentary teams.

Darleen Harens, PRP, Chairman
Youth and Judging

(L to R) Michael Orr, Darleen Harens, and Robert Vokes

4/2/2019

2018 Fall Seminar Recap

The theme was: It’s About Time!
Of the 11 who registered, 10 members and guests participated in the 2018 MSAP Fall Seminar.

President Josh Martin, PRP, spoke on the Timing of Motions. Limit and Extend Limits of Debate was the topic of PRP Darleen Harens’s presentation.

After the break, Robert Vokes spoke on Minutes and Pat Reymann, PRP, spoke about Tellers.

Attendees of all skill levels seemed to learn something new in each presentation, all of which were interactive and practical.

(L to R) Judy Twisk, Richard Skimland, Darleen Harens

(L to R) David Staehlin, Josh Martin

Thanks to Miriam Simmons for making the physical arrangements, Judy Twisk for being our AV coordinator, and all the speakers for their presentations.

Pat Reymann, PRP
Seminars Chairman

4/2/2019

President's Letter: 2019 March

The MSAP Convention is always a good educational opportunity for all members. NAP educational materials will be available for purchase. There is valuable networking with fellow members – do you have a parliamentary problem you’d like to discuss?

There will be voting:

to elect officers
adopt a budget
amend the bylaws
and elect delegates to the September NAP Convention in Las Vegas

Josh Martin, PRP President

4/2/2019

SAVE THE DATE: 2019 MSAP Convention

Saturday, May 4, 2019
Starting: 8:00 a.m.
Hilton Hotel West
3900 American Blvd W
Bloomington, MN 55437

8:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast (Included)
8:30 a.m. Convention Convenes
12:00 noon Lunch (Included)
3:00 p.m. Convention Ends, Meeting of New Board

Education Session by NAP Past President Jeanette Williams
Cost:
$45 by April 25th
$55 postmarked after April 25th or at the door

4/1/2019

March 2019 Proposed Amendment to Bylaws

Notice is hereby given of the proposed amendment to the Bylaws to be considered by the delegates at the MSAP Convention on May 4, 2019.

Advance notice allows members to consider the amendment and discuss it at unit meetings. The amendment is presented in a formal manner and also in a three-column format. The three column format is provided as a tool to assist the reader in visualizing the proposed amendment. It should be noted that the motion to be debated and on which the vote is taken is the formal statement of the amendment.

Rationale: This amendment is required by NAP.

Lucy Hamilton Johnson, PRP
Bylaws Chair

Amend Article XIII, Dissolution:

Current Wording
Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

Proposed Amendment
Section 1. Upon the dissolution of this association, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. If at the time of dissolution NAP meets the criteria of the aforementioned Code, the assets shall be liquidated and distributed to NAP. Section 2. The association charter shall be returned to NAP Headquarters.

If Approved, Would Read
Section 1. Upon the dissolution of this association, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. If at the time of dissolution NAP meets the criteria of the aforementioned Code, the assets shall be liquidated and distributed to NAP. Section 2. The association charter shall be returned to NAP Headquarters.

11/12/2018

Hansel C. Hall

A memorial service was held on December 7, 2018 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Several members of the Minnesota State Association of Parliamentarians were in attendance. Memories were shared with the many family and friends by Ginny Altman, immediate past president of the SPU and a long-time friend.

Hansel is survived by his daughter Grace Hall of Atlanta, GA and his brother, retired Brigadier General David Hall of Saginaw, MI.

Hansel was a special friend. When I first became a member of NAP he was president of MSAP and wrote me a personal letter of congratulations and invited me to be his guest at the upcoming State convention which was being held at the Historical Museum in St. Paul. He mentored me when I became president of the St. Paul Unit the first time. He encouraged me to attend the NAP Convention along with several others from Minnesota who were also attending. When I progressed to being a PRP, he wrote my name in on the NAP ballot for one of the positions that was up for election that year at the NAP Convention. My name was read off in the Tellers Report as having received one vote. The smile on his face when I gave him credit for that was the "give away." There was an occasion at another NAP Convention when we encountered NAP members that knew Hansel but did not know me. Hansel introduced me by name and then added "Ginny is my sister." That was the beginning of our frequent reference to one another -- I would say, "This is my brother Hansel; and if he was first, he would say, "This is my sister Ginny." That exchange served to confirm that he was a special friend. Hansel shared his knowledge and his experiences and served in that manner as our teacher. He would, during the course of a meeting, use motions that were not commonly used, such as I Call for Orders of the Day. That would prompt me to do more research and on one occasion when he used that motion, I had prepared a script that walked me through how to set aside the call for "Orders of the Day." That brought a HUGE smile to Hansel's face and that was my moment of realization that I had achieved what HE had set out to teach ME. Not uncommonly, I would get a letter in the mail from Hansel. Many times it was simply a clipping of a cartoon or comic strip that made a reference to some aspect of parliamentary procedure or meeting decorum. Sometimes it was just information that he thought I should be aware of. The personal touch. That was Hansel. Such a special man. He was so personable and never had any criticism of others. I miss him but I know that I will see him on the other side.

Ginny Altman, PRP

5/5/2018

MSAP 2018 Convention Recap

The 52nd Annual MSAP Convention Our convention this year was held at the Holiday Inn in Bloomington MN on May 5th. Our President Josh Martin, PRP, called the convention to order at 9 a.m. The singing of our national anthem was led by Robert Vokes followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Richard Skimland and an inspiration by Lucy Johnson, PRP, based on a statement by Benjamin Franklin.

A moment of silence was then observed in honor of Fred Riehm and Len Glaeser who passed this last year. President Martin welcomed everyone and invited everyone to introduce themselves. There were 14 members in attendance. Credentials Chairman Judy Twisk announced as of 9:09 a.m. that 13 voting members and 1 non- voting member were present. The report was moved seconded and adopted and a quorum was declared. Robert Vokes then rose to give a report on adoption/rejection of several items to the bylaws/standing rules. Next was the adoption of the convention standing rules and then the convention program, itself.

New Officers (L to R) Judy Twisk, Josh Martin,
Robert Vokes, & Miriam Simmons

President Josh Martin, PRP, appointed the following: Tellers: Richard Skimland, Judy Twisk; Timekeeper: Miriam Simmons, PRP; Minutes Approval Committee: Pat Reymann, PRP, Robert Vokes, Michael Orr, RP. Darleen Harens, PRP reported on the minutes of last year’s convention. Other Reports were available in the convention packets. Robert Vokes then rose to give a report on adoption/ rejection of several items to the bylaws/standing rules. Nominating Committee Chairman Robert Vokes presented the following slate of officers: President: Josh Martin, PRP; Vice- President: Miriam Simmons, PRP; and Secretary: Robert Vokes. He reminded us that the treasurer is in the second year of her first two-year term and is not up for election. There being no further nominations, the president declared that the nominations were closed. Ballots were distributed collected and counted. The President declared the election of:

Josh Marin, PRP as President,
Miriam Simmons, PRP Vice-President
Robert Vokes as Secretary

Robert Vokes Nominating Committee Chairman presented the following candidates for the 2018-2019 Nominating Committee: Lucy Johnson, PRP; Beverly Kennedy, RP; Robert Vokes. There were no further nominations. After the ballots were cast, collected and counted, President Josh Martin declared the Nominating Committee elected: Robert Vokes chairman, Beverly Kennedy, Lucy Johnson.

During the break which followed there were educational materials available for sale provide by Darleen Harens, PRP and materials by the historian Pay Reymann, PRP were also on display. Budget Committee Chairman Judy Twisk moved the adoption of the 2017- 2018 budget. After a web allocation amendment from $50 to $350 the amended budget was adopted. Josh updated us on the NAP report as well as the latest information on the National Training Conference.

After a buffet lunch, our presenter Jeannette Williams, PRP, gave an unusual and entertaining workshop entitled “Let’s Have a Meeting!” What made it unusual and challenging was that you did not know when you would be called on to participate until the last second, so you had to pay close attention. After the workshop, Jeannette also installed all of the officers using the theme “Cheerios” where all the incoming officers received different flavor boxes of cheerios.

Thanks to photographer Bob Williams who took pictures of both the Northern Lights (NLP) and Saint Paul (SPU) Units! The convention was adjourned sine die at 2:15 p.m.

5/5/2018

State Annual Convention

Saturday, May 5 2018
Holiday Inn Bloomington-Airport South
One of the highlights will be an interactive workshop entitled ”Let’s Have a Meeting” by NAP Past President Jeanette Williams.

Williams is well known for providing fun, educational programs.

5/1/2018

president's Letter: 2018 May

Josh Martin, President

At the annual state MSAP convention on May 5, the assembled members conducted the business of the association, including adopting amendments to the bylaws and standing rules, adopting a budget, and electing officers. In particular, I was elected to a second term, so you can continue to see my columns in this newsletter for another year. One of the key points of the adopted budget was a significant (and temporary) increase in the budget for our website, as it is the clear direction of the convention and the board to improve our web presence. A committee has been formed for that purpose and should commence its work shortly. Other than the business of the convention, we also had a presentation from Jeanette Williams, PRP, Past President of NAP and MSAP, entitled “Let’s Hold a Meeting.” All of us know, in theory, how to make and second motions, to state those questions as chair, and to perform other parliamentary tasks, but can we put that knowledge into practice when put on the spot? As we learned, these tasks are often more difficult in practice, and we aided each other in properly performing them. Interactive presentations such as this one are invaluable in preparing to serve as members, officers, and parliamentarians, and we are indebted to Jeanette for her time in preparing and presenting this educational presentation.

We have events upcoming at both the state and national level. The National Training Conference will be held from September 7-9 in Buffalo, NY, and it is sure to include many educational seminars from our fellow parliamentarians. On Saturday, October 6th, we will have our own educational seminar. It shall once again be prepared by Pat Reymann, PRP, so I am certain it will be at least as big a success as last year. For those of you who wish to consider your own parliamentary education, please consider attending one or both of these events.

Josh Martin, PRP President

4/18/2018

A good RONR primer

At one of the Mpls unit meetings, this 4H primer was mentioned.

Not only is it a good primer, but it was a welcome sight seeing our youth working together to so aptly accomplish the business of a meeting.