About

The National Association of Parliamentarians is focused on education.

The National Association of Parliamentarians is committed to providing education and resources to facilitate efficient and democratic decision-making processes in meetings through the effective use of parliamentary procedure. More precisely, NAP strives to:

Encourage its members and the general public to learn the principles and practice of democratic decision-making

Help teachers instruct people of all ages—from public and private school students to active professionals to retirees involved in their communities—in parliamentary procedure 

Promote collaboration and professional development among parliamentarians

Provide widely recognized, authoritative professional credentialing of parliamentarians

The National Association of Parliamentarians is globally recognized as the premier provider of parliamentary leadership.

What is parliamentary procedure?

Parliamentary procedure, or parliamentary law, refers to the rules of democracy—that is, the commonly accepted way a group of people come together, present, discuss possible courses of action, and make decisions.

Parliamentary procedure also defines what duties people typically have when they are elected the president, secretary, or treasurer of an organization.

Fundamentally, parliamentary procedure defines how groups of people, no matter how formal or informal, can most effectively meet and make decisions in a fair, consistent manner—and make good use of everyone’s time. While parliamentary procedure cannot guarantee that every member of an organization is pleased with the outcome of a decision, it aims to ensure that every member is satisfied by the manner in which the decision was made, and that the organization makes decisions efficiently but with consideration for every member’s opinion.

Many different decision-making bodies use parliamentary procedure, including government and civic organizations, homeowners’ associations, not-for-profit organizations, corporations, churches, fraternal organizations, and unions.

As stated in its Code of Professional Responsibility for Parliamentarians, NAP believes a parliamentarian should:

  • Assist in upgrading and improving the profession.
  • Assist in maintaining the integrity and competence of the profession.
  • Maintain high professional standards and keep abreast of the latest research in the field.
  • Promote a spirit of cooperation, professionally responsible practice, and fair dealing with colleagues.
  • Conduct oneself so as to reflect credit on the profession and inspire the confidence, respect, and trust of clients and the public.
  • Encourage non-discriminatory standards in all aspects of parliamentary practice.

Our Team

NAP Board of Directors

Alison Wallis, PRP

NAP PRESIDENT

Carl Nohr, PRP

NAP VICE PRESIDENT

Mona Calhoun, PRP

NAP SECRETARY

Robert Schuck, PRP

NAP TREASURER

Beth James, PRP

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

Tamara D. Harris, PRP

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

Steven Cook, PRP

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

Lucy H. Anderson, PRP

DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE

Deborah Underwood, PRP

DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE

Advisors

C.J. Cavin, PRP

PARLIAMENTARIAN

Cyndy Launchbaugh

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Daniel Ivey-Soto, PRP

LEGAL ADVISOR

NAP Staff

Alexandra Blair

EDUCATION & EVENTS

Susan Bradley

SALES & FULFILLMENT

Dane Petersen

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS