“Well-run meetings are hard to find,” argues a Cape Breton University political scientist in a new book aimed at members and chairpersons of large and small organizations.
Dr. Tom Urbaniak is the author of Action, Accommodation, Accountability: Rules of Order for Canadian Organizations. Urbaniak will be signing copies at the CBU Art Gallery on Thursday, November 17, from 12:30-1:30 pm. The book is also available from most of the on-line booksellers. The book is published by Writing on Stone Press.
Based on his study of the Canadian political tradition and the needs of modern organizations, Urbaniak proposes a set of practical guidelines for boards, committees, and assemblies. He covers such topics as: the role of the Chair; protecting individual members; handling motions; holding executives accountable to the board and membership; establishing committees; using more than one language at the same meeting; setting up new organizations and writing by-laws.
Action, Accommodation, Accountability: Rules of Order for Canadian Organizations critically examines Robert’s and Bourinot’s Rules of Order, which are used widely in English Canada, as well as Code Morin, popular in Quebec and Acadie.
As a volunteer, Urbaniak has served on and chaired many boards and committees, for large and small organizations, at the local, provincial, and national levels. He is often asked to give advice on governance and procedures. This is Urbaniak’s fourth book. His previous one was Her Worship: Hazel McCallion and the Development of Mississauga (University of Toronto Press, 2009).
“Any Canadian who goes to meetings – whether they be municipal councils or start-up charities – should read Urbaniak.” (Dr. Andrew Sancton, Professor of Political Science, University of Western Ontario)
“This book provides an insight to parliamentary procedure not found elsewhere in the literature. The writing sparkles, informs, and makes one think. Woven into the explanations are anecdotes and comparisons with other authorities, sometimes critical, sometimes supportive, but always understandable.” (James Lochrie, Past President, American Institute of Parliamentarians and author of Meeting Procedures)
“Tom Urbaniak’s new book on running effective meetings deserves a place in any organization.” (Dr. Joshua Guilar, Director, School of Communication and Culture, Royal Roads University)
