|
Bylaws Checklist
Final Plans
How We Can Help
Sign up for free
Self Brilliance newsletter/ezine
|
|
Building new bylaws? Evaluating your current ones? Use this checklist to help you be sure you have considered all of the major areas.
General
- Name of the organization
- Purpose
Membership
- What is a member?
- Do they pay dues?
- Are there other requirements?
- How long are they a member.
Board members
- What are the requirements to be a member of the board.
- Does the board membership rotate?
- How long is the term of a board member.
- How often can they repeat terms.
- Are there certain constituencies or organizations that need a designated seat on the board.
- What is the number of board members.
- How are board members selected.
- What are the responsibilities of the board.
- How is a vacancy in the middle of the year filled.
- How can a board member be removed.
- Size of board
- Composition of board
Elections
- How are the officers selected for example by election during a board meeting or from a nominating committee.
- How are elections conducted.
- When are elections conducted.
Meetings
- When and where are regular meetings held.
- Who attends the regular meetings.
- How many in attendance allows official business to occur.
- How and when is the meeting notice given to the board.
- How can business be conducted without a physical meeting.
- How can special meetings be called outside of the regular meeting time.
- What business can be conducted during the special meeting.
- When and where is the annual meeting.
- Who attends the annual meeting.
- What business is conducted during the annual meeting for example setting budget and elections).
- How many in attendance allows official business to occur.
- How and when is the meeting notice given to the board.
Officers
- What are the offices of the board
- What are the responsibilities of each office.
- Is an office designated as the successor to the head officer.
- How are the officers selected.
- What are the officers.
- How long do the officers serve.
- Can they serve more than one term.
- How can an officer be removed.
Financials
- Board members are not compensated
- Audit requirements.
- Who has fiscal oversight.
- Is there an executive committee.
- Who is on the executive committee.
Committees
- What are the standing committees and their responsibilities
- How are the standing committee members appointed.
- How are special committees appointed.
Staff
- What is the chief hired position.
- What is the responsibility of the board to the employees
Rules
- What rules will be used to conduct business during meetings.
- Is the fiscal year designated.
Amendments
- How are amendments made to the by-laws: when, who, notice to be given and what type of vote.
Dissolution
- What happens when the organization ceases to exist
This checklist is a guide and not legal advice. Use it to help you consider the points that fit best for your organization.
|
