Business Meetings, Rules, & Parliamentary Procedure

“Business meetings can be hard, overwhelming, and complicated. I believe everybody should be able to lead and participate in meetings that are fair and efficient.”

—Sarah E. Merkle

Founder + CEO

Attorney and Professional Parliamentarian

Meet Sarah

Civility Services

For all types of organizations. For groups of any size.

Meetings

Keep the room calm, even when the stakes are high.

Parliamentarian services
Script writing
Legal compliance
Professional presiding

Consultation

Authoritative answers to your governance questions.

Strategic advice
Written opinions
Expert witness reports and testimony

Governing Documents

Clear, concise language that aids decision making.

Bylaws interpretation
Drafting or rewriting
Special rules
Standing rules

Training

Equip your directors and members. Strengthen your organization.

Self-paced video classes
In-person or virtual sessions
Live training for boards or members

Hire Civility

Understand Business Meeting Rules

SELF-PACED LEARNING

Business Meeting Basics

Learn parliamentary procedure fundamentals with practical, real-world examples. Perfect for trustees and directors, committee chairs, members, and anyone who wants to feel more prepared walking into a meeting.

8 MODULES | $149

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New Class

Take Minutes with Confidence

Minutes Masterclass

Learn a clear and practical approach to compliant meeting minutes. Understand why minutes are important, what to include or exclude, and how to handle the process from drafting through approval.

4 LESSONS | $57

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Sarah is indispensable. I can’t imagine doing a meeting without her. She gives me peace of mind.

—VP of Governance at National Nonprofit
Sarah was a tremendous help in a complicated process involving an interpretation of Robert's Rules of Order. We are a small non-profit located in the Midwest but were able to work successfully with Sarah via telephone conferences and email. She is able to deal quickly and effectively with the problems presented to her. She is thorough in her research and brought clarity and resolution to help us deal with a very difficult situation.

—Non-profit Board Chair
On very short notice, Sarah prepared for every contingency and walked us through various scenarios until we were comfortable. She brought confidence without abrasiveness and turned a potentially difficult meeting into an event that was both compliant and enjoyable. Anyone working with non-profits knows that is not an easy task!

—Non-profit Consultant
We have used Civility to provide yearly community leader training in parliamentary procedure. Sarah is an exceptional resource. Her incredible expertise and teaching skill have placed the power of parliamentary procedure in over 200 leaders in our community. She is engaging, professional, and clearly knowledgeable in all areas of parliamentary execution.

—CEO of Non-profit Supporting Economic Development and Local Government Cooperation
I worked closely with Sarah during a contentious leadership battle of a political organization. Her strategic advice and insight were always accurate, and she helped my clients develop a strategy that not only won on the floor of the convention, but also held up in court.

—Attorney for State Political Party
Sarah Merkle has become an indispensable asset to our organization. Her experience and expertise have pushed our Board of Trustees to wholly fulfill the duties of care, obedience, and loyalty. We look forward to the continued growth and development she is able to provide.

—CEO of National Trade Association for Healthcare Professionals

We focus on the rules
so you can focus on your mission.

Civility Services

For all types of organizations. For groups of any size.

Meetings

Keep the room calm, even when the stakes are high.

Consultation

Authoritative answers to your governance questions.

Governing Documents

Clear, concise language that aids decision making.

Training

Equip your directors and members. Strengthen your organization.

Understand Business Meeting Rules

Business Meeting Basics

Minutes Masterclass

Trusted by Nonprofits and Professional
Associations Worldwide for Nearly 25 Years

The Law of Order Blog

We focus on the rules so you can focus on your mission.

Civility Services

For all types of organizations. For groups of any size.

Meetings

Keep the room calm, even when the stakes are high.

Consultation

Authoritative answers to your governance questions.

Governing Documents

Clear, concise language that aids decision making.

Training

Equip your directors and members. Strengthen your organization.

Understand Business Meeting Rules

Business Meeting Basics

Minutes Masterclass

Trusted by Nonprofits and ProfessionalAssociations Worldwide for Nearly 25 Years

The Law of Order Blog

We focus on the rules
so you can focus on your mission.

Trusted by Nonprofits and Professional
Associations Worldwide for Nearly 25 Years