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Chapter 9. Developing an Organizational Structure for the In... >
Section 7. Writing Bylaws >
Writing Bylaws |
Tools & Checklists | Contributed by Chris Hampton Edited by Phil Rabinowitz and Jerry Schultz |
Tools
Tool #1: Sample Bylaws
This is a general, "fill-in-the-blank" set of bylaws. You may wish to use this as a general outline for your own bylaws.
Bylaws of _____________________________________________________
Article I: Name and Purpose.
Section 1: The name of the organization shall be _______________________________
Section 2: (Name of organization) is organized for the purpose of __________________
___________________________________________________________________
Article II. Membership.
Section 1: In order to become a member of (name of organization), potential members must meet the following requirements: _______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Section 2: Members of (name of organization) have the following rights and responsibilities: ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Article III. Officers and decision-making.
Section 1: The governing structure of (name of organization) is as follows: _____________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Section 2: Officers' titles and main duties are as follows:
a. President: ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
b. Vice President: ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
c. _________________: __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
d. _________________: __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
e. _________________: __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
f. _________________: __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Section 2: Procedures for filling and vacating offices. An officer shall be dropped for excess absences from his or her office if he or she has _____ unexcused absences from meetings in a year. An officer may also be removed under the following circumstances:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Section 3: Committees: ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Section 4: Decisions
a. Decisions are to be made as follows: ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
b. At least ______% of the total membership must be present in order to have a quorum.
c. Amendments to the bylaws must be made as follows: ____________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Article IV. General, special, and annual meetings.
Section 1: Regular meetings are to be held as follows: _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Meetings may be called by the following people: _________________________________
For meetings, notice __________________ (in writing, via phone, via email) of at least
____________ (days/weeks/months) must be given to members.
Section 2: Special meetings may be called by ___________________________________
(who has authority to call them) under the following circumstances:___________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Section 3: Annual meeting: The date of the annual meeting shall be set by _______________
and notice __________________ (in writing, via phone, via email) of at least
___________ (days/weeks/months) will be given to members for the annual meeting.
Article V. Board of Directors
Section 1: Board size and role. The board shall have up to __________ and not fewer than
__________ members. The board is responsible for _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Section 2: Board meetings. The board shall meet at least ____________________
(frequency), at an agreed upon time and place.
Section 3: Elections and terms. Board members will be chosen by _____________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
All board members shall serve _____ (month/year) terms, but ____ (are/are not) eligible for re-election.
Section 4: Quorum. At least _____% of the board members must be present before board business may be conducted.
Section 5: Resignations and Termination. Resignations from the board must be in writing
and must be given to ____________ (whom). A board member shall be dropped for
excess absences from the board if he or she has _____ unexcused absences from board
meetings in a year. An board member may also be removed under the following circumstances: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Section 6: Special meetings. Special meetings of the board may be called under the following circumstances: __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
These bylaws were approved at a meeting of the ___________________ (board of directors, officers, general membership) on ____________________(date).
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Checklist
Here, you'll find a checklist which summarizes the major points contained in the text.
Before making a your bylaws draft:
___You have gathered examples of the bylaws of similar organizations for reference
While writing your bylaws draft:
___You have named and decided on the purpose of your organization
___The stated requirements for your organization's membership have been established
___In your draft you have stated and explained:
___Governing Structure
___Officers
___Procedures
___Committees
___Decisions
___Amendments
___You have decided how often meetings will be held
___You described the role of the Board of Directors if your organization has one
After completion of bylaws draft:
___You have given copies to the people involved in the approval process
___You have met as a group to discuss the proposed bylaws
Upon completion and approval of final draft:
___You've sent copies of the bylaws to anyone who needs them
___You have put the bylaws into effect through your officers
___You have made plans to review and amend the bylaws