American Institute of Parliamentarians

The American Institute of Parliamentarians (AIP) is a professional association established in 1958 to promote education and proficiency in parliamentary procedure. The organization publishes authoritative texts on parliamentary law and procedure that are widely used by legislative bodies, organizations, and parliamentary professionals. AIP's most notable publication is the "Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure," which serves as a comprehensive guide for conducting meetings and managing organizational governance. This work is considered one of the primary alternatives to Robert's Rules of Order and is particularly valued for its clear, streamlined approach to parliamentary procedure. The organization maintains rigorous credentialing programs and produces educational materials that have become standard references in the field of parliamentary practice. AIP regularly updates its publications to reflect evolving practices in organizational governance and meeting management. Through its publications and educational initiatives, AIP has significantly influenced how meetings are conducted in various settings, from small volunteer organizations to large professional associations. The institute continues to serve as a leading authority in parliamentary procedure and organizational governance.

Readers value AIP's publications for providing clear, practical guidance on parliamentary procedure. The "Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure" receives particular attention for its simplified approach compared to Robert's Rules of Order. What readers liked: - Straightforward explanations of complex procedures - Practical examples and applications - Regular updates reflecting current practices - More concise than competing parliamentary manuals What readers disliked: - Some find the material dry and technical - Less comprehensive coverage of rare situations compared to Robert's Rules - Limited availability of supplementary training materials Amazon ratings: 4.6/5 (127 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (43 ratings) One reader noted: "AIP's Standard Code helped our organization streamline meetings that used to drag on for hours." Another commented: "The explanations are clear but the formatting could be improved to make information easier to find." Professional parliamentarians frequently cite AIP publications as preferred references for training and consultation.

The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (4th Edition) A comprehensive guide outlining rules and procedures for conducting meetings effectively, covering motions, voting, debate procedures, and organizational governance with updated practices for modern organizations.

Henry M. Robert wrote "Robert's Rules of Order," which remains the most widely used manual of parliamentary procedure in the United States. His work established many of the foundational principles that govern deliberative assemblies and organizational meetings today.

Thomas B. Reed developed "Reed's Rules" while serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1889 to 1891 and 1895 to 1899. His parliamentary innovations transformed House procedures and remain influential in legislative practice.

Luther S. Cushing authored "Manual of Parliamentary Practice," which predates Robert's Rules and influenced the development of American parliamentary law. His work was particularly important in establishing procedures for legislative bodies and deliberative assemblies in the 19th century.

Paul Mason wrote "Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure," which is used by most state legislatures in the United States. His work focuses specifically on legislative procedure and provides detailed guidance for state legislative operations.

Alice Sturgis developed "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure," which was later revised and continued by the American Institute of Parliamentarians. Her work is known for providing clearer alternatives to Robert's Rules and is widely used in professional organizations.