CP Ethics & Professional Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An organization's presiding officer persistently interrupts members during debate in violation of their rights. What is the appropriate ethical and procedural response for the parliamentarian?
- Remain silent to avoid embarrassing the chair
- Privately advise the chair on the proper rules respecting members' debate rights (Correct answer)
- Publicly correct the chair each time before the assembly
- File a formal complaint with NAP immediately
Correct answer: Privately advise the chair on the proper rules respecting members' debate rights
Parliamentarians advise the chair privately to protect member rights while preserving the chair's authority and dignity.
Question 2: A CP discovers that minutes they were asked to review were altered after approval to reflect a decision never actually made. The ethical response is to:
- Certify the minutes as presented to maintain client relations
- Refuse to certify and advise the organization to correct the record through proper amendment procedures (Correct answer)
- Rewrite the minutes independently
- Contact the opposing party in any related dispute directly
Correct answer: Refuse to certify and advise the organization to correct the record through proper amendment procedures
Certifying falsified minutes would implicate the parliamentarian in dishonesty; proper channels exist to correct the official record.
Question 3: Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'competence' as an ethical standard for a CP?
- Accepting only engagements within one's expertise and continuing education to expand it (Correct answer)
- Limiting practice to meetings with fewer than 50 members
- Relying solely on Robert's Rules and never consulting other authorities
- Charging premium fees as evidence of expertise
Correct answer: Accepting only engagements within one's expertise and continuing education to expand it
Competence requires practicing within one's expertise and continuously updating knowledge through education and study.
Question 4: A parliamentarian is approached by a media outlet for comment on a client's internal governance dispute currently being litigated. The CP should:
- Comment freely because the dispute is now public record
- Decline to comment to protect client confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Share procedural facts but not client communications
- Refer the media to the client's attorney without disclosing any details
Correct answer: Decline to comment to protect client confidentiality
Client confidentiality is not waived by public litigation, and a parliamentarian must decline media comment on client matters.
Question 5: The principle of 'neutrality' for a parliamentarian-of-record means:
- The parliamentarian cannot have personal opinions on any topic
- The parliamentarian does not advocate for any outcome but advises impartially on procedure (Correct answer)
- The parliamentarian must vote with the chair on all motions
- The parliamentarian may not attend social events with members
Correct answer: The parliamentarian does not advocate for any outcome but advises impartially on procedure
Neutrality means the parliamentarian advises on procedure without advocating for a particular substantive outcome.
Question 6: A CP who is also a member of an organization may ethically serve as that organization's parliamentarian only if:
- They resign their membership for the duration of the engagement
- They disclose the dual role and the organization consents, and the parliamentarian refrains from voting (Correct answer)
- They obtain written permission from NAP
- They serve without compensation
Correct answer: They disclose the dual role and the organization consents, and the parliamentarian refrains from voting
Disclosure and organizational consent, combined with abstaining from voting, mitigate the conflict of serving as both member and parliamentarian.
Question 7: Which action violates a parliamentarian's ethical duty of honesty?
- Acknowledging uncertainty about an obscure rule and promising to research it
- Citing a parliamentary authority incorrectly to support a client's preferred outcome (Correct answer)
- Recommending a bylaw revision the client did not request
- Charging a higher fee for urgent engagements
Correct answer: Citing a parliamentary authority incorrectly to support a client's preferred outcome
Misrepresenting parliamentary authority to achieve a client's preferred outcome is a direct violation of the duty of honesty.
CP Ethics & Professional Standards 3
An organization's presiding officer persistently interrupts members during debate in violation of their rights.
What is the appropriate ethical and procedural response for the parliamentarian?