California State Association of
Parliamentarians
Division of the National Association of Parliamentarians

About Us

• The California State Association of Parliamentarians (CSAP) assists individuals in learning to protect their rights as members of an organization. This study includes practical exercises on a multitude of situations including when and how to make a motion, skills on debating a motion, and rules of voting.



• Additionally, CSAP is a statewide organization, which individuals who wish to develop their skills as a parliamentarian may join. Members learn how to become convention parliamentarians, bylaws consultants, parliamentary procedure instructors, presiding officers, and much more.



• The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR), 10^th edition, govern the CSAP proceedings unless they conflict with the adopted bylaws and special rules of order of CSAP.



• The official CSAP publication is the California Parliamentarian, and it is published quarterly. (The most recent issues are available on this web site as PDF files, for viewing or printing. Simply click the "Newsletters" link here, or on the left or bottom of this page.)



• CSAP has approximately 400 members. Every CSAP member is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) through his or her annual dues.



• A CSAP member who lives in an area of the state where there is currently no study unit is a Member-at-Large (MAL) until such time as a unit can be formed.



• CSAP is composed of 3 geographical areas, each led by a member called a Director. Most study units meet once a month in the day or evening. All CSAP members are encouraged to attend the quarterly area meetings, which always offer an educational program.



• The Pacific Area has 10 units and more than 45 MALs. It is located mostly west of Stockton and Fresno to the Pacific Ocean.



• The Sierra Area has 7 units and more than 50 MALs. It is located mostly north of Stockton and Marin to the Oregon border.



• The Southern Area has 11 units and about 60 MALs. It is located mostly south of Stockton to the Mexican border.



• The CSAP Board of Directors consists of 13 members:
• a president;
• 7 elected officers (president-elect, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and 3 area directors);
• 1 appointed parliamentarian; and
• 4 appointed committee chairmen (budget and finance committee, bylaws committee, editorial committee, and public relations and marketing committee).