NEW Online Course to Help You Understand Business Meeting Rules
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We focus on the rules
so you can focus on your mission.

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Civility empowers leaders and members of organizations—
giving you a confident understanding of governance and parliamentary procedure so that business meetings can be both efficient and compliant.

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Sarah Merkle

At Civility, we want every member in every organization to have the knowledge and tools they need to make sound decisions in an efficient manner.

—Sarah E. Merkle, attorney and professional parliamentarian

Meet Sarah

Civility Services

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

Meetings
  • checkStrategic advice
  • checkScript writing
  • checkLegal compliance
  • checkPresiding services
Consultation
  • checkWritten opinions
  • checkExpert witness reports and testimony
Governing Documents
  • checkBylaws interpretation
  • checkDrafting or rewriting
  • checkSpecial rules
  • checkStanding rules
Training
  • checkOnline video course--NEW!
  • checkIn-person or virtual live sessions
  • checkBoard training
Publications
  • checkInfographics
  • checkBusiness meeting FAQs
  • checkThe Law of Order blog
Hire Civility

Understand Business Meeting Rules

On-demand Video Course

Business Meeting Basics

Enroll in Civility’s new 8-module video course—Business Meeting Basics. Each lesson is packed with step-by-step help so that you can understand the rules of meetings, speak up with confidence, and make a difference.

8 MODULES | $149
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Course Preview
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The Order of Business™

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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