National Association of Parliamentarians

The National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP), is the largest non-profit association of professional parliamentarians in the world.

NAP was organized in 1930. As of April 30, 2012, NAP had a membership of about 3,408 parliamentarians in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and internationally. This included about 258 who have been accredited as Professional Registered Parliamentarians, the highest level of proficiency.

The goals of NAP are:

• Foster educational, scientific, literary and professional purposes of studying, teaching, promoting and disseminating the philosophy and principles underlying the rules of deliberative assemblies;
• Further the growing interest in parliamentary rules in both public and private schools on all levels;
• Create closer cooperation among parliamentarians;
• Inculcate and uphold the general principles of obedience to law and lend moral aid and strength to the parliamentary activities of its members; and
• Award such certification of proficiency as appropriate.

In contrast to the American Institute of Parliamentarians, NAP focuses virtually exclusively on Robert's Rules of Order, rather than a variety of parliamentary authorities.