At Flashpoints, we are totally committed to the concept of being involved in local business and civic organizations. These groups not only offer a wealth of networking opportunities, but they do a lot of good for communities. But being involved in such organizations means going to meetings, participating in the business of the group, and at some point, perhaps even running the meeting. And if you’re not familiar with proper meeting etiquette, you’ll find yourself at a disadvantage.

When it comes to meetings, most organizations depend on Robert’s Rules of Order for guidance on how the meeting is conducted. But if you’ve ever picked up a copy of this venerable tome, you know it’s not the most exciting thing to read—or to navigate. Nancy Sylvester has created a great alternative for today’s busy business owners and managers: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Robert’s Rules, and she’s just published the second edition.

A lot of meetings we have in the workplace don’t follow Robert’s Rules because they are not business meetings—they might be training, brainstorming, purchasing, and so on. But when you need to conduct business – such as when you’re on a board or committee that needs to make decisions – a sound familiarity with Robert’s Rules will make those meetings more efficient and productive.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Robert’s Rules covers: motions; agendas; tips for the presiding officer; how committees should be set up and function; holding electronic meetings; scripts and sample docs; and more. It’s easy to find what you need to know and Sylvester’s style makes it easy to understand and apply the information. Having this book handy will help you be more effective when you participate in meetings, whether as a leader or otherwise.