Featured Speaker

THOMAS J. “BURKE” BALCH, JD, PRP

Topic

Bylaws Amendments and Provisos

Thomas J. Balch, J.D., PRP has worked as professional presiding officer, parliamentarian, writer of parliamentary opinions, and consultant on bylaws revision and amendments for groups ranging from large political conventions and national issue advocacy entities through national and regional professional and trade associations to local school boards and

churches. Clients have included an international religious association, time-share and condominium boards, medical groups, political candidates and party organizations at the national and state levels, as well as specialty organizations from dog breeders to dairy farmers to public relations consultants. His professional presiding experience includes disciplinary hearings. 

An attorney, he has been a consultant or expert witness for litigation involving parliamentary issues, and provides workshops to governmental decision-making bodies. 

Balch teaches introductory parliamentary procedure to incoming officers and directors, coaches new presiding officers, and trains other parliamentarians. For 21 years he taught an intensive summer course in parliamentary procedure to college students. He has also been a faculty member for a course in professional presiding for other parliamentarians. 

Twice national parliamentarian for the National Association of Parliamentarians, he is a past president of the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers, and has authored articles in professional parliamentary journals.