Ann Macfarlane is a former diplomat who served in Pakistan and on the Soviet desk of the U.S. State Department before becoming a Russian translator. She knows board work from both sides, having been president of the American Translators Association and executive director of the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters.

Ann believes that when properly used, Robert’s Rules of Order creates effective, fair and efficient meetings. When badly used, it’s a disaster!

With Andrew Estep she is the author of "Mastering Council Meetings: A Guidebook for Elected Officials and Local Governments."