Parliamentarian Resume

PDF of Jim's Parliamentary Resume

Education:

A.L. Brown High School, Valedictorian
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.A. Highest Honors - US History (North Carolina History)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Juris Doctor.
Order of the Barristers Legal Honor Society
Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Eta Sigma
Harry S. Truman Scholar
Intern, U.S. House of Representatives
British History and Parliament Program (London, England)

Personal:

Born in Concord, NC; raised in Kannapolis, NC
Eagle Scout with three palms
Married to Tamara Vincent Slaughter
3 sons

Professional:

President & Partner - Law Firm Carolinas
Certified Superior Court Mediator
Listed in Marquis Who’s Who In America
Listed in Marquis Who’s Who In American Law
2016 Leaders in the Law Honoree, NC Lawyers Weekly
Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Past President, CAI's College of Community Association Lawyers
Past President, NC Chapter of the Community Associations Institute
Admitted to the N.C. State Bar; Western & Middle Federal District Courts; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth and Federal Circuits; and the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States

Parliamentary Credentials:

Certified Professional Parliamentarian-Teacher (American Institute of Parliamentarians)
Professional Registered Parliamentarian (National Association of Parliamentarians)
Past President, American College of Parliamentary Lawyers
Past Chair and Member, Ethics Committee of the National Association of Parliamentarians
Past Chair and Member, Ethics Committe of the American Institute of Parliamentarians
Past Member, AIP Accrediting Committee
Past NAP Parliamentary Research Editor
Past NAP Bylaws Revision Committee
Winner, First Annual North Carolina Parliamentary Procedure Contest (Toastmasters, International), 1992

Books:

Robert’s Rules of Order: Fast-Track—The Brief and Easy Guide to Parliamentary Procedure (To Be Published 2022)
Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fifth Edition (To Be Published 2022)
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Parliamentary Procedure Fast-Track (2012)
Lead Author, Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules, Fourth Edition (2012)
Technical Editor & Foreword, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Robert’s Rules (2004)
Technical Editor, The Guerrilla Guide to Robert’s Rules (2006)

Parliamentary Faculty:

Faculty, 25th Annual Community Association Law Seminar, 2004
Faculty, American Institute of Parliamentarians’ Legal Workshop,Washington, D.C., 2010
Faculty, “Parliamentary Law and Procedure for Attorneys” CLE, Washington, D.C., 2001
Faculty, Floyd M. Riddick (Williamsburg) Practicum of the American Institute of Parliamentarians, 1994-1999; 2003
Faculty, Lester Dahms Parliamentary (Minnesota) Workshop, 1999
Faculty, Plaisted Memorial (California) Practicum of the American Institute of Parliamentarians, 1998
Faculty, Puerto Rico Practicum of the American Institute of Parliamentarians, 1995

Parliamentary Lecturing:

Speaker, Lee Demeter Unit of Parliamentarians, 2023
("Super Large Conventions and Their Issues")
Speaker, NC Association of Realtors®, 2023
("Parliamentary Procedure Survival Skills for Realtor® Leaders")
Speaker, NC Association of Realtors®, 2022
("Robert's Rules Tips for Realtor® Leaders")
Speaker, Association Executives of North Carolina, 2021
("Parliamentary Survival Skills for Association Executives")
Speaker, California Community Association Law Seminar, 2021
("Parliamentary Procedure for HOA/Condo Leaders")
Speaker, Connecticut CAI Chapter, 2021
("Parliamentary Procedure for HOA/Condo Leaders")
Speaker, NC Chapter of the Community Associations Institute, 2021
("Avoiding Legal Landmines")
Speaker, NC Chapter of the Community Associations Institute, 2020
("Virtually There: Board, Membership & Committee Meetings and Violation Hearings in a COVID-19 World")
Speaker, NC CAI Law Day, 2020
("What HOA/Condo Leaders Need to Know About Meeting Procedures & Robert’s Rules")
Speaker, CAI's Community Association Law Seminar, 2020
("Parliamentary Procedure for Community Association Attorneys")
UNC School of Law Festival of Legal Learning, 2015
("Parliamentary Procedure Survival Skills for Attorneys")
Speaker, CAI's Community Association Law Seminar, 2015
("Running a Darn Good Meeting")
Speaker, CAI's Community Association Law Seminar, 2012
("What HOA/Condo Attorneys Need to Know about Meeting Procedure and Robert's Rules of Order")
Speaker, 33rd Annual Community Association Law Seminar, 2012
(“Meetings Without Mayhem: Everything Attorneys Need to Know About Meeting Procedure in 90 Minutes”)
Speaker, Lester Dahms Parliamentary (Iowa) Workshop, 2011
(“Legal Parameters of the Parliamentary Profession”)
(“Ethical Parameters of the Parliamentary Profession”)
Speaker, NAP 2011 Biennial Convention, 2011
(“Top 7 Mistakes Parliamentarians Make with Homeowner and Condominium Associations (and How to Avoid Them)”)
Speaker, NC Community Associations Institute Law Day (CAI), 2011
(“Transparency in Meetings”)
Speaker, NC Community Associations Institute Law Day (CAI), 2010
(“Running Legal Meetings”)
Speaker, National Training Conference (NAP), 2010
(“Legal Landmines for the Professional Parliamentarian”)
(“Homeowner Associations, Condos & the Parliamentarian”)
Speaker, Community Associations Institute National Conference, 2009
(“Parliamentary Procedure: Survival Skills for Community Association Leaders”)
Webinar, Community Associations Institute, 2009
(“Quick & Easy Guide to Parliamentary Procedure”)
Microsoft Corporation Standards Summit, 2008
(“Parliamentary Procedure in Standards Setting Organizations”)
(“How to Use Parliamentary Procedure to Your Advantage”)
Speaker, 26th Annual Community Association Law Seminar, 2005
("Voting Nightmares")
Speaker, 25th Annual Community Association Law Seminar, 2004
("Effective Meetings Through Parliamentary Procedure")
Trainer, Labor Leader Institute, United American Nurses, 2003
Speaker, NC Community Associations Institute (CAI), 2003
("No More 3 Hour Board Meetings!")
Speaker, NAP 2001 Biennial Convention, 2001
(“Avoiding Parliamentary Minefields”)
Speaker, AIP Annual Session, 1999
(“When the Parliamentarian Needs A Lawyer & When the Lawyer Needs a Parliamentarian”)
Faculty, Lester Dahms Parliamentary (Minnesota) Workshop, 1999
(“The Professional Presider”)
(“Presiding With Sturgis”)
(“The Convention Parliamentarian and Other Staff”)
(“Utilizing Staff as Convention Parliamentarian”)
Faculty, Floyd M. Riddick (Williamsburg) AIP Practicum, 1999
(“Community Associations & the Parliamentarian”)
Speaker, NAP 1999 Biennial Convention, 1999
(“All About Amendments”)
Speaker, NC Association of Parliamentarians Annual Meeting
(“Parliamentary Procedure on the Internet”), 1999
Instructor of Parliamentary Procedure, Duke University
Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management, 1998
Instructor of Parliamentary Procedure for Local Government Attorneys Institute of Government, 1998
Faculty, Plaisted Memorial Parliamentary Procedure Practicum, 1998
(“The Problem Member or Non-Member”)
(“Writing Bylaws”)
(“Amending Bylaws”)
(“Interpreting Bylaws”)
Train the Trainer Conference (NAP)
(“Declining a Nominations”), 1998
Instructor of Parliamentary Procedure, N.C. Bar Association
(“Select Issues in Business & International Law”), 1997
Faculty, Floyd M. Riddick (Williamsburg) AIP Practicum, 1997
(“The Parliamentarian in Court”)
(“Are You an Ethical Parliamentarian”)
(“Credentials”)
Faculty, Floyd M. Riddick (Williamsburg) AIP Practicum, 1996
(“Debate Strategy”)
(“Problems of the Meeting Parliamentarian”)
(“Corporations and Parliamentary Procedure”)
Faculty, Puerto Rico AIP Practicum, 1995
(“Public Relations for the Parliamentarian”)
Faculty, Floyd M. Riddick (Williamsburg) AIP Practicum, 1995
(“Committees of the Whole, Quasi Committees of the Whole, & Informal Consideration”)
(“The Main Motion: Original, Incidental & Resolutions”)
Faculty, Floyd M. Riddick (Williamsburg) AIP Practicum, 1994
(“Minorities and Absentees: Why Protect Them?)
Instructor of Parliamentary Procedure, Guilford Technical Community College

Parliamentary Articles:

Read Jim's Parliamentary Blogs
"Large Virtual Meetings: Advice from Robert’s and Lessons Learned,"
National Parliamentarian, 2023
"Parliamentary Procedure, Robert’s Rules, and Jim Slaughter: Award-Winning Author Discusses Two New Books and More,"
NC Bar Association Journal, 2022
"10 Myths about Parliamentary Procedure and Presbyterian Meetings,"
Presbyterian Outlook, 2022
"Association Meeting Myths,"
Association Executives of North Carolina, 2022
"Statutes Governing Decision-Making Outside of Meetings,"
National Parliamentarian, 2020
"What Community Associations Should Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic,"
The Washington Post, 2020
"10 Meeting Myths About Community Associations,"
Common Ground, 2013
“Employ Consent Agenda Properly to Shave Time Off Meetings,”
Board & Administrator for School Board Members, 2011
"Keeping Meetings on Track," Common Ground, Mar/Apr 2010
“Meetings: Open or Closed?” Serving NC, 2010
“Parliamentary Procedure Made Simple,”
Associations Now: The Volunteer Leadership Issue, 2010
"Parliamentary Organization Formed: The American College of Parliamentary Lawyers,"
National Parliamentarian, 2008
“PSST! Closed Meetings and Homeowner Associations,”
Common Ground, Jan/Feb 2008
Contributor to The Medical Staff Meeting Companion: Tools and Techniques for Effective Presentations, 2008
Featured in “Bringing Order and Focus to Meetings Shows Respect,” Houston Chronicle, October 12, 2007
"8 Ways School Boards Can Improve Meetings," On Board, 2007 "For Meetings Without ZZZ's, Start with Eight Eye-Opening Questions,"] Associations Now, 2007
"Prepare for Effective Board Meetings" and cited in "Minutes Should Record Action," Board & Administrator, 2007
"An Affair to Remember: The Secret to Standing-Room Only Meetings," Common Ground, Jan/Feb 2007
“Parliamentary Procedure Survival Skills,"
Nonprofit Boards and Governance Review, 2007
"Parliamentary Procedure Made Simple,"
Associations Now, 2007
"Use Parliamentary Procedure to Run Efficient, Legal Meetings," Community Association Management Insider, 2006
"The Statutes and Procedures of Community Associations,"
National Parliamentarian, 2005
"Parliamentary Procedure in 2005,"
The Toastmaster, Feb. 2005
Contributing Author, “Union/Member Rights and Obligations,” Labor Union Law and Regulation, 2005 Supplement
“Loosen Up: Making Parliamentary Procedure Less Formal and More Manageable,” Association Management, 2004
Featured in “Run Meetings More Efficiently by Setting Members’ Code of Conduct,” Community Association Management Insider, Community Association Institute, 2004
"Basic Parliamentary Procedure for Administrative Lawyers,"
Administrative Lawyer, May 2003
"Meeting Myth-Understandings,"
Common Ground, Jan/Feb. 2003
“Q&A About Honorary Membership,”
Today’s Insurance Professionals, 2002
Parliamentary Law and Procedure for Attorneys CLE Handbook, Co-Author with Hugh Cannon and J. Gaut Ragsdale, 2001
“Parliamentary Practices of CPP’s in 2000,”
Parliamentary Journal, 2001
Featured in “Old Rules of Order May Warrant Second Look,”
Board Member, National Center for Nonprofit Boards, 2001
“Better Meetings Through Parliamentary Procedure,”
Today’s Insurance Woman, 2001
"Taming the Parliamentary Monster" (feature/cover story),
Common Ground, Sep/Oct 2000
“Tips for Shorter, More Effective Meetings,”
Today’s Insurance Woman, 2000
“Schools of Procedures Rules: Apply Parliamentary Knowledge for Efficiency—and Legality—of Meetings,”
ABA Journal (American Bar Association), 2000
“How to Keep Discussions Short: Tips for Shorter, More Effective Meetings,”Association Management, 2000
“Community Associations and the Parliamentarian,”
National Parliamentarian, 2000
“Schools of Procedure Rules,” Today’s Insurance Woman, 2000
"Matching Parliamentary Procedure to Needs,"
Association Management, 1999
“The Parliamentarian,” Today’s Insurance Woman, 1999
Featured in “Will the Meeting Come to Order? Parliamentary Procedure,” The Meeting Professional, 1999
"Parliamentary Organizations and Certifications,"
Parliamentary Journal, 1998
"Better, More Legal Corporate Meetings,"
Business Lawyer, 1998
"Prescription for Troubled Meetings: Better Use of Parliamentary Procedure," Common Ground," 1998
"Maintaining Order With Parliamentary Procedure,"
Board Member, National Center for Nonprofit Boards, 1998
"Community Associations & Parliamentary Procedure,"
CAI-Greater Inland Empire News, 1998
"Finding the Right Parliamentarian," Meetings & Expositions, 1998
Featured in “A Call to Order,” Successful Meetings, 1997
"Homeowner Associations & Parliamentary Procedure,"
Anderson & Kiger attorney newsletter
"Parliamentarians: Avoiding the Practice of Law,"
National Parliamentarian, 1995
"Parliamentary Procedure Can Play Key Role In the Success or Failure of Your Organization,"YLD Newsletter (N.C. Young Lawyers' Division), 1994
"Precise Terms for the Presiding Officer,"
Parliamentary Journal, 1994
"Parliamentary Procedure Crucial to Business, Governments Alike," Greensboro News & Record, 1993
"The Previous Question: Origin and Development,"
Parliamentary Journal, 1993
"Proper Parliamentary Procedure Crucial in Business Organizations," Greensboro News & Record, 1992

National/International Organizations

AFL-CIO
American Academy of Physician Assistants
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
American Federation of Teachers
American Flint Glass Workers Union
American College of Emergency Physicians
American Council of the Blind
American Institute of Architects
American Nurses Association
American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association
American Society for Nondestructive Testing
Association of Flight Attendants
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWED-IBT)
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)
Embroiderers Guild of America
Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc.
Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU)
InfraGard
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers
International Association of Fire Fighters
International Chemical Workers Union Council
Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA)
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Association of Credit Management
National Association of Health Underwriters
National Association of Insurance Women (International)
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
National Education Association
National Federation of Federal Employees
National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses
National League of Cities
National Pest Control Association
National Pork Board
National Pork Producers Council
National Rural Letter Carriers Association
National School Boards Association
Oncology Nursing Society
Papillon Club of America, Inc.
Pekingese Club of America, Inc.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
United American Nurses
United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW)

Corporations

Alliance Mutual Insurance Company
Charlotte Regional REALTOR© Association, Inc.
Greensboro Regional REALTORS© Association, Inc.
Henley Paper Company
Microsoft Corporation

Condominium/Homeowner Associations

(representative of hundreds of clients)

Laurel Valley Property Owners Association, Inc. (TN)
Dover Condominium Association, Inc. (NC)
Nottingham Homeowners Association (NC)
Outlet Bay Resort (ID)
Uwharrie Point Community Association (NC)

Religious

Fontaine Baptist Church
Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church
Holloways Baptist Church
Temple Emanuel Synagogue

State Associations

Alabama Association of School Boards
Arkansas School Boards Association
California Teachers Association
Florida School Boards Association
Georgia Association of Educators
Illinois Education Association
Maryland Association of Boards of Education
Massachusetts Teachers Association
Mississippi School Boards Association
North Carolina Association of Educators
North Carolina Democratic Party
North Carolina League of Women Voters
North Carolina Nurses Association
North Carolina Association of REALTORS©
North Carolina School Boards Association
Texas State Teachers Association
Virginia Education Association
Virginia School Boards Association
West Virginia School Boards Association

New parliamentary procedure brainteasers appear each month! This Month's Brain Teaser

What Clients Say

"Your presentation was just as you promised, a jam packed and entertaining session full of practical advice for attorneys who often have to answer parliamentary questions."

"Jim's guidance and style allows one to preside over a meeting and not worry about the multitude of issues that arise. He allows the meeting to move along while keeping all aspects of parliamentary procedure in order. I cannot imagine trying to conduct a meeting of that size without his assistance."

"I am so grateful for your expert guidance during our Convention."

"Your knowledge and insight on parliamentary procedures was essential for maintaining order and decorum in a potentially volatile situation. Your fairness to both sides of each issue was deeply appreciated by me and by the other attorneys present."

"His talk made the trip worthwhile. Awesome handouts. Should be at every leadership program. This is a must!"

"I have chaired numerous local and national conventions over the years and worked with several different parliamentarians. I can say without hesitation that you were the best I have ever worked with."

"Your guidance and more particularly your style, allowed me to preside over a number of complex meetings that dealt with a multitude of issues. You made me look like a pro in the process!"

"If you are about to take on a leadership role in any organization, this book is a must read. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Parliamentary Procedure Fast-Track is a thorough and coherent explanation of Robert’s Rules of Order."

"Your attendance and participation in our National Convention and seminars have been the most important additions to our program in the last decade. After using your services for the past several years, I do not know how we ever got by without you."

"This is my first year on our school board. Jim made me feel more comfortable about the situation and I appreciate that. He was very helpful and he listened to our questions. Best of program. Needed more time."

"The rules of order were made to be fun, informative, and useful. Your casual presentation helped with the absorption of facts in productive meeting enhancement. Thanks again for your valued time."

"Attendees commented that you made the duties and responsibilities of a presiding officer very easy to understand."

"It's no wonder you're number one every year. There is NO nodding off when you are speaking. Thank you for all your important information and enjoyable wit!"

"I'm still amazed at how well and smoothly the Delegate Assembly went. It was our best conference ever, and you get five stars for your part in it."

"Your careful and quiet manner in assisting me as Chair was greatly appreciated. It was good to know that our Parliamentarian felt comfortable with every curve ball thrown his way!"

"What made you such a particularly valuable asset to our Convention was your thorough research of our governing documents and out past practices, your quick adaptation to the personalities and issues before the Convention, and your pro-active and hands-on approach, especially alerting us to potential parliamentary issues in advance of their arising."

"Mr. Slaughter's knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order has helped our presidents to effectively move our conventions forward in cases where there could have been total chaos. I highly recommend Jim Slaughter to you as an excellent parliamentarian in whatever capacity he can be used."

"For anyone who has felt hog-tied and browbeaten by parliamentary procedures (or parliamentarians), I second the motion to get this book. Slaughter, Ragsdale, and Ericson turn the mystery of Robert's Rules into plain English. Notes and Comments on Robert's Rules, Fourth Edition, is crisply organized, accessible to the novice, and invaluable to the practiced. , "

"You may own a copy of Robert's Rules. You may have even read it. But to truly understand Robert's, you need Notes and Comments on Robert's Rules, Fourth Edition."

"Your contributions to the Spring Representative Assembly were critical to its success. We appreciate greatly your expertise, diligence, flexibility, and good humor."

"Your expertise and knowledge enabled us to run our meetings in an orderly manner. The parliamentary procedures that you pointed out were not familiar to me and I think it contributed greatly to our success."

"One of the best and most useful CLE courses I've attended here over the years! Great presenter!"

"Thank you Jim, your session was talked about for days, just wonderful!"

"Big board? Small board? The Complete Idiot's Guide to Parliamentary Procedure Fast-Trackprovides clear and simple guidance to educate board members and help your board govern efficiently and effectively."

"Everything turned out perfectly. I couldn't have asked for anything more!"

"Thank you for your session yesterday, You did an incredible job and touched on so many components of what it means to be a leader. We’ve received such great feedback so far, and truly appreciate you joining us. "

"I just completed the last of the 5 qualifying exams needed to attain the credential as a Registered Parliamentarian. I could not have done it without you and the clear insight and explanations set forth in your book Roberts Rules of Order Fast Track. I had difficulty grasping some of the motion concepts, which you clarified and explained with memorable humor. You clearly demystified and dispelled long-held yet erroneous beliefs about the order of precedence; motions to postpone indefinitely; subsidiary and privileged motions and the motion to amend. You also illustrated real-life experiences in meetings and explained with precision and clarity how they are to be addressed pursuant to Robert’s Rules of Order. Thank you so much for writing such an insightful book! "

"This was the best workshop I have ever attended. The instructor was the most prepared and he had a wonderful classroom presence."

"This presenter was one of the most lively and dynamic speakers of the CLE (and there have been some real standouts). He made a topic that could be dry interesting, relevant, and engaging. Outstanding presenter."

"Best 3 hour seminar in many years! Best presenter we had! Could have spent two days on this. Jim really kept interest up--wish the other presenters were half as good. Tops. I recommend for next year."

"Jim Slaughter is worth his weight in gold."

"Your presence and authority at that meeting helped save us from total chaos."

"We were fortunate to have you there to ensure proper procedure and to allow us to use our energies on content and not on process."

"Before we hired Jim Slaughter, we had four board meetings a year, lasting up to eight hours each, because of lack of control and no understanding of procedure. Jim got us down to three meetings a year, lasting from one to three hours each."

"I have always enjoyed working with you and admire the unobtrusive fashion with which you make whomever happens to be in the chair appear to be a master parliamentarian. Your knowledge and STYLE are impressive and welcomed by anyone faced with the daunting task of conducting a large and often confrontational meeting."