Press Release

Published: Monday, August 6, 2001

Meetings today don't have to be governed by rules so complicated that very few members understand them. Democratic Rules of Order is a complete, easy-to-use parliamentary guide for governing meetings of any size, totally free of complex protocol and jargon. 

There is an urgent need in the world today for a better understanding of basic democratic principles and because this book is doing so much for this cause at the grass-roots level, it is gradually being accepted as a new official North American standard.

"Meetings governed by these rules are often shorter, certainly more democratic, and usually more harmonious," says co-author Fred Francis. "We feel no personal pride. The ideas came and we obediently typed them into the computer. Then executives and parliamentarians, seeing the value and need for a complete but simpler parliamentary standard, helped us perfect the book, until today, in its seventh edition, all its rules are crystal clear, not one is missing and it is the most reliable, effective parliamentary authority published."

Unions, condominiums. professional associations, etc. need this book.  It makes a huge difference to the fairness and good order of meetings when all members are equally familiar with the rules. A member is less likely to dominate. Discussion is orderly. Decisions are sounder. Democracy is de facto as well as de jure.