The Aloha-‘Ohana Parliamentary Unit of Hawai‘i was founded on July 4, 1997 in Honolulu. Our primary goal was then and is now to study, teach, promote and disseminate the principles and rules of parliamentary procedure, as found in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised,
and to promote the educational program of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PARLIAMENTARIANS® (NAP) locally. The unit actively promotes the upgrading of members' expertise in the field of parliamentary procedure.
"Aloha" means love, affection, and acceptance. "‘Ohana" is the Hawaiian word for family, kith & kin. We chose this name for our Unit to emphasize our inclusive and welcoming support for each other.
The first organizational meeting to form this unit of the National
Association of Parliamentarians was held on July 4, 1997 at 11:10 a.m.
in the home of Steve Glanstein, in the City & County of Honolulu, State
of Hawai'i. The meeting was called to order by Susan Govier. Steve
Glanstein was elected chairman pro tem and Susan Govier was elected
secretary pro tem.
It was agreed by unanimous consent that the current edition of Robert's
Rules of Order Newly Revised would be the parliamentary authority for
the meeting.
Susan Govier explained the purpose of the meeting and the necessary
procedures required to organize a new unit.
The following resolutions were adopted by unanimous consent.
Resolved, That it is the wish of this meeting that a unit of the
National Association of Parliamentarians be formed in the State of
Hawai‘i; and
Resolved, That application for a unit charter be sent to the National
Association of Parliamentarians.
It was agreed by unanimous consent that the name of the unit would be
Aloha-‘Ohana Parliamentary Unit of Hawai‘i.
Steve Glanstein as Chairman,
Susan Govier,
Doug Massey,
Bert Narita, and
Agnes Ringle
were appointed to a committee to draft bylaws for the proposed unit and
report to the second organizational meeting later that day.
At the unit's second organizational meeting the bylaws committee reported the proposed AOPU Bylaws which were considered seriatem and adopted with the following provisos:
- Adoption is subject to approval by the National Association of
Parliamentarians.
- Mandatory changes required by the National Association of
Parliamentarians for initial approval shall automatically be
placed in the bylaws. The President is authorized to make the
necessary changes.
- Charter membership shall be open to the following individuals
until formal approval of the bylaws is issued by the National
Association of Parliamentarians.
A. Original Thirteen:
Lois Batalon
Beatriz Bueno
Steve Glanstein
Gerald Govier
Susan Govier
Albert Hamai
Michael Lum
Dr. Doug Massey
Bert Narita
Dr. R. J. Parker
Helen Richardson
Agnes Ringle
Jim Turner
B. Supporters
Anita Ekroth
Lila Rae Johnson
Joyce Van-Belkum
Vivian Wilson
- Election of Officers shall be conducted for the 1997 year
immediately following adoption of the Bylaws.
- No dues shall be required for the 1997 year.
- The first regular meeting of the unit shall be in September.
The following Standing Rule was adopted by unanimous consent, "Regular
meetings shall be at 7:30 p.m. at the Aiea Methodist Church."
The meeting was adjourned at 2:13 p.m.
The following were
elected as the Unit's first permanent officers in the election held after the Bylaws were adopted:
Steve Glanstein, President
Doug Massey, Vice-President
Beatriz Bueno, Secretary
Agnes Ringle, Treasurer
