Example 1: Links to Organizational Bylaws
The following links will take you to web pages that feature the bylaws of many different types of organizations.
Green Party of San Diego County
South Carolina Police Chiefs Association
Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods
Example 2: Model Bylaws for a Community Health Committee
This model is drawn from Mid-Michigan District Health Dept., Michigan, 1989.
Article I. Name
The name of this committee shall be ___________ County Community Health Committee.
Article II. Purpose and Goals
The overall mission of the committee is to assist the Board of Health by advising the Board regarding the health problems of _______________ County and thus assist the Board in its responsibility to undertake "community assessment." The Committee will promote the prevention of premature death, disability, and illness by developing a ___________ County community health plan for recommendation to the Board. The role of the Board of Health is to support the Committee by providing the resources needed by the Committee to undertake the work, and by facilitating the planning process. The following is a proposed objectives statement.
The mission of the Committee is to assist the Board of Health by:
- Developing a community health plan that includes health problems identification, problem analysis incorporating the identification of risk factors, direct contributing factors, and indirect contributing factors.
- Proposing actions to remedy indirect contributing factors, remove associated barriers to such remedies, and obtain resources that can contribute to the remedies.
- Establishing priorities for all identified health problems.
- Identifying department/organization work teams that should coordinate efforts with respect to each health problem.
- Drafting and presenting to the Board the recommended health plan.
- Promoting and supporting the importance of reducing the health problems to the Board and the community.
- Developing and maintaining good communications with the board via monthly reports to the Board by the Health Officer and periodic reports from the Executive Committee of the Health Committee.
Article. III. Members
Section 1. Number. The Committee shall consist of no less than 12 members and no more than 28. A vacancy shall not prevent the Committee from conducting business.
Section 2. Appointment and removal. Initial members of the committee shall be appointed by the Board of Health. Future members and/or members to fill vacancies of the Committee shall be appointed by the Committee. The Committee shall have the right to remove Committee members for good cause shown after notice and a hearing before the Committee as a whole. A two-thirds (2/3) majority is required for removal. Automatic removal results in a calendar year. Recommendations for membership will be accepted from any source.
Section 3. Term. Committee members shall serve for staggered three (3) year terms. This does not preclude any member from being reappointed.
Section 4. Compensation. All members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
Section 5. Voting. Each member or his/her Committee-approved proxy shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the Committee. Members shall nominate proxies to the Committee for consideration and vote.
Section 6. Staff members. Staff and coordination will be provided by the health department.
Section 7. Volunteer status. Committee members and proxies serve on a volunteer basis to the Board of Health.
Section 8. Board of Health representative. The Health Officer or his/her designated representative of the Board of Health.
Article IV. Meetings
Section 1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Committee shall be held on a monthly or as-needed basis.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Committee may be held on call of the Board of Health, the Chairperson of the Committee, or by any three (3) members of the Committee.
Section 3. Notice of Meeting. Written notice stating the date and hour of each meeting shall be delivered or mailed to each member not less than five days before each meeting. Announcement of meetings will be made through the local media.
Section 4. Quorum. A quorum for the purpose of holding a meeting shall consist of not less than six (6) Committee members.
Section 5. Manner of Acting. A quorum present, the act of a majority of the members present shall constitute the action of the entire Committee, except as may be otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
Section 6. Parliamentary Procedure. Robert's Rules of Order is adopted.
Article V. Officers
The officers of the Committee shall consist of the following and such other officers as the Committee may from time to time designate and appoint:
a) Chairperson
b) Vice-Chairperson
c) Recording Secretary
d) Executive Committee
The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Committee. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside. The Recording Secretary shall supervise and present minutes at each meeting.
Article VI. Committees
Section 1. Subcommittees may be appointed specializing in concerns relative to children, adolescents, adults, seniors, or subject matter.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall report to/meet with the Board of Health periodically to report Committee efforts to the Board and to plan development/revision status.
Article VII. Task Force
Task forces may be appointed as needed to accomplish specific short-term objectives.
Article VIII. Books and Records
The Committee shall keep minutes of all proceedings of the Committee and such other books and records as may be required for the proper conduct of its business and affairs.
Article IX. Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Committee. Written notice of the proposed Bylaw change shall be mailed or delivered to each member at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. The Board of Health must approve changes in the Bylaws. Bylaw changes require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Committee members present.