About Us

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Henry Martyn Robert (May 2, 1837 – May 11, 1923) was an  American soldier, engineer, and author. In 1876, Robert published the  first edition of his manual of parliamentary procedure, Robert's Rules of Order, which remains today the most common parliamentary authority in the United States.

Today  the practice of parliamentary procedure is spread around the world  through Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised. The current version is  12. It's used in most Parliaments, the US Congress (with a lot of  modifications), state Congresses, and most county and municipal  governments, as well as most American organizations. The way they use  them changes, because Robert's Rules is expansive enough to address most  every kind of organization.

The man who started it all. Well, it really started with the Magna  Carta, and even before then, but hit its stride in the English  parliament. When US formed a congress, they incorporated the rules of  parliament, though they implemented them differently in the Senate and  the House. In time, these filtered down to state congresses and many  businesses began to try it out.

But, it was Robert who went to a  municipal meeting where he lived and found business to be impossible. So  he incorporated the rules of Congress for small organizations and  standardized them. Roberts Rules of Order became the de facto standard  way to run a meeting for all organizations of every size

•  Born May 2, 1837 Robertville, S. C.
• Died May 11, 1923 (86)
• Buried Arlington National Cemetery
• United States Army Union Army 1857–1901
• Served in Civil War as a Union officer
• Brigadier General & Chief of Engineers
• Key manager in rebuilding Galveston after the 1901 hurricane

Why's & Wherefore's of the Robert's Resources

The Rules are actually a long string of books which started with the original manual by Henry Robert which has now extended to the 12th Edition. The white book is the big (700 pages) of ALL the rules. The small yellow book (200 pages) is Robert's Rules of Order In-Brief 3rd Edition. For almost all cases and most all meeting needs, In-Brief is all you need. The big book is for the 15-20% of meetings with complex and contentious issues OR for those who are studying Robert's to gain a RP or PRP credential. 

What is a Parliamentarian?

A parliamentarian is a consultant who advises the president and other officers, boards, committees, and members on matters of parliamentary  procedure. But during a meeting, their role is purely an advisory and  consultative one to the president. 

To be part of National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP),  one must pass a basic test, which is based on Roberts Rules of Order In  Brief.  This little book is invaluable in preparing a member for the  more arduous task of studying the full Robert's Rules of Order Newly  Revised, the bible for practicing Parliamentarians. Once the short test is passed, a  member, whether a Unit member or a Member-at-Large, then begins to  prepare for the Registered Parliamentarian tests. 

  For those who want to become a paid, professional, the  final step is to become a Professional Registered Parliamentarian.

(See the Blog page  about this.)