BRATTLEBORO — On Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 6:30 p.m., Andy Davis will present an introduction to the use of Robert's Rules of Order in public meetings.
The event is sponsored by the Steering Committee of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and is open to all, including past, present, and future town representatives.
The hour-long meeting will take place on Zoom and includes an opportunity to ask questions. The link to join the meeting is links.dancingmasters.com/tjeyb7. Meeting ID is 885 2334 8254, and the Passcode is 30439.
Davis will review how Robert's Rules function in Annual Representative Town Meeting. Although these rules are in use in nearly every Vermont Town Meeting, he says that many may find them confusing at the outset.
“Using Robert's Rules ensures a fair and structured method of decision-making in deliberative bodies, boards, and committees,” Davis wrote in a news release. “Understanding the basics of Robert's Rules enables members of RTM to participate effectively. Robert's Rules become less intimidating with experience and understanding.”
The RTM Steering Committee encourages people to consider running for a seat on the 2022 Representative Town Meeting. Petitions to be on the ballot for RTM need to be turned in to the town clerk by Monday, Jan. 24. Petition forms are available from the town clerk's office.
Voting will take place on Tuesday, March 1, and Representative Town Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 19.
Davis, who joined the RTM as a District 3 representative in 2009, taught music at elementary schools in Brattleboro and other towns in Windham County for a number of decades.