Visit NCAI's Parliamentarian from 11:00-noon each day at our booth at NCAI's Mid Year Conference and Marketplace!

Getting Started with Roberts Rules: A Beginner’s Guide to Tribal Governance

*Space is limited to 10 members for the founding cohort.*

This one-of-a-kind, 8-week online course is built around a simple goal:

To help learners gain the confidence and skills to run meetings that lead to thriving tribal nations.

If you're a new or emerging tribal leader feeling confused by Robert's Rules — or a seasoned leader seeking a clearer understanding of the fundamentals — this introductory course is for you.

Led by Patrick Anderson (Tlingit), Parliamentarian for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the course combines self-paced learning with live, hands-on Zoom sessions, helping participants learn how to to use Roberts Rules in a way that fits tribal values and needs.

Each week, you'll review new material on your own, then join your cohort to practice and apply what you’ve learned — together.

Participants also receive 1-year access to:
  • Monthly office hours with Patrick
  • A private peer forum
  • All course materials — so you have ongoing support to apply Robert’s Rules in real-world settings


We are limiting the first cohort to just 10 participants, each of whom will receive a discounted rate of $1,200 and handcrafted copper Tin’áa made by Patrick as a thank-you for becoming a founding member and helping shape the future of this learning community — and of ndgenius. Reserve your spot today!

Want a private session for your Board, Council, or Youth Council? Write us at ndgenius@ndgenius.com to discuss your options.

*The waitlist for this course is now open! Sign up with your $100 deposit to reserve your seat. We'll contact you to coordinate start dates and session times that work for participants. You may request a refund of your deposit any time before the course begins.
Format

Live (Zoom) &
web-based materials

Starting date

TBD*

Instructor

Patrick Anderson

Duration

8 weeks
(and 1 year of office hours)

Tuition (incl. deposit)

$1,200

Deposit

$100

What You Can Expect

More than a simple course, this is part of a greater movement to build stronger, more effective tribal governance. Learn how to use Roberts Rules in a way that fits Indigenous values to better meet your tribe's needs.

You'll Experience:

  • Weekly live sessions with Patrick and your peers
  • Easy-to-follow self-paced lessons
  • Interactive scenarios and mock meetings
  • A safe, respectful learning community
  • Continued access to materials and office hours, even after the course ends

You'll Gain:

  • A clear understanding of how meetings work
  • Practical strategies for motions, voting, and respectful debate
  • Confidence in navigating conflict and curveballs
  • Insight on building safe, respectful meeting spaces
  • Networking with peers across tribal nations

Your Nation Will Gain:

  • Meetings that model respectful dialogue 
  • More efficient decisions, more time for what matters
  • A culture where everyone's voice is valued
  • Leadership skills passed to future generations
  • Stronger governance that better serves your people 

Get a free sneak preview!

Please enjoy this free preview of the materials for Week 3. After clicking below, you will be prompted to sign up for a free account (lower left corner of the pop up), enabling you to log in and access the lessons. Materials include a handy downloadable Chart of Motions Cheat Sheet you can print and bring to meetings with you.

Course Outline

Week 1: Setting the Stage for Effective Meetings

Self-Paced Materials:
  • Instructor Introduction
  • About this Course (and First Assignment)
  • Introduction to Roberts Rules of Order
  • Roberts Rules as a Tool for Safety and Respect
  • Wrap-up and Preparing for Our First Live Session
Live Session:
  • Practical Application

Week 2: Who Does What (and When)

Self-Paced Materials:
  • Meeting Roles and Structures
  • Introduction
  • Why Roles and Structure Matter
  • Roles and Responsibilities in Tribal Meetings
  • The Structure of Meetings (and Assignment)
  • Downloadable Templates
  • Wrap-up and Preparing for This Week's Live Session
Live Session:
  • Practical Application

Week 3: Making and Processing Motions (Part 1)

Self-Paced Materials:
  • Introduction
  • What is a Motion and Why Does It Matter?
  • Most Common Types of Motions
  • How to Make a Motion (Step-by-Step)
  • Seconding a Motion
  • What Makes a Good Motion (and Assignment)
  • Practice Round - You Make the Motion
  • A Deeper Dive Into Motions (and Downloadable Cheat Sheet)
  • Wrap-up and Preparing for This Week's Live Session
Live Session:
  • Practical Application

Week 4: What Happens After You Make a Motion? (Part 2)

Self-Paced Materials:
  • Introduction
  • The Lifecycle of a Motion
  • Debate and Discussion: Who Speaks and When
  • Amending a Motion: Adding, Removing, or Rewording
  • Managing Discussion: The Chair's Role and Member Tools
  • When More than One Motion Is on the Table
  • Putting It into Practice: Preparing for This Week's Live Session
  • Wrap-Up and Reflection
Live Session:
  • Practical Application

Week 5: Voting Procedures and Decision Making

Self-Paced Materials:
  • Introduction
  • What is a Vote, Really?
  • Types of Votes
  • Voting Thresholds: How Many Votes are Enough?
  • How to Call and Count the Vote (and Assignment)
  • Abstentions and Tie Votes
  • Recording Votes Properly
  • Practice Round: Voting on Actions (and Assignment)
  • Wrap-up and Preparing for This Week's Live Session
Live Session:
  • Practical Application

Meeting Minutes and Documentation

Self-Paced Materials:
  • Introduction
  • What are Meeting Minutes and Why Do They Matter?
  • Roles and Responsibilities in Minute-Taking (and Assignment)
  • Writing Minutes According to RONR Standards
  • Handling Corrections and Approvals
  • Storing and Distributing Minutes: Answers to FAQs
  • Wrap-Up and Preparing for This Week's Live Session (Practice Round)
Live Session:
  • Practical Application

Week 7: Conflict, Confusion, and Curveballs

Self-Paced Materials:
  • Introduction
  • Meetings Don't Always Go Smoothly (and Assignment)
  • Common Meeting Disruptions and What to Do 
  • Tools for Managing Conflict and Confusion
  • The Chair's Role in Tense Situations
  • Dealing with High-Stakes or Emotional Topics
  • Practice Round: The Meeting Goes Off-Track
  • Recovery and Repair
  • Wrap-Up, Reflection, and Preparing for This Week's Live Session
Live Session:
  • Practical Application

Week 8: Putting it All Together—The Mock Meeting

Self-Paced Materials
  • Welcome to the Mock Meeting
  • Meet the Players, Agenda, and Let's Go!
  • Reflection and Debrief
  • Course Wrap-Up and What's Next
  • Stay Connected!
  • Course Evaluation: Your Feedback Matters!

Live Session:
  • Practical Application (Mock Meeting)
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Patrick Anderson

Patrick Anderson, J.D., is a seasoned tribal executive whose career spans roles as CEO of regional Native organizations, Tribal Health Director, and board member for entities such as Sealaska Corporation and the Alaska Native Justice Center. As a long-time instructor and NCAI's Parliamentarian, Patrick is known for his ability to connect systems thinking with culturally resonant leadership approaches. Patrick is Cofounder of ndgenius.
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