While my first experience with parliamentary procedure was Congressional Debate on my high school speech and debate team, my professional experience started in 2008 when I took my first parliamentary course taught by ASA Past President Barry Glazer. I was able to utilize the skills from that training as I was in my first term as department chair, as well as on other hospital committees. I became Vice-Speaker of the CSA in 2011, and then Speaker in 2014, until becoming President-Elect in 2018.

As a member of multiple Bylaws committees, I have helped to ensure that our activities align with our rules, and amend those rules as appropriate. I served as the Chair of the CSA Bylaws committee while the Vice-Speaker, Chair of the O’Connor Hospital Advisory (Bylaws) committee prior to the hospital system merger, and am the current Vice-Chair of the ASA Bylaws committee. I am the current member representing our hospital on the hospital system Bylaws committee.

The overall goal of parliamentary procedure is to ensure that there is fair debate.  The parliamentarian is responsible for ensuring the careful balance of the rights of individual members, the needs of the organization, and the will of the majority.   The ASA Speaker facilitates this process by helping members craft resolutions and motions, clarifying the process for discussion and ensuring a clear voting process.