Bylaws are a single document containing laws (rules) by which members of an organization have agreed to be governed. Bylaws are different from other basic laws governing deliberative societies, charters, constitutions, rules of order, and standing rules. Drafting bylaws is similar to the study of parliamentary law. It is usually a committee assignment. Bylaws are a legal document and must be precisely worded. Bylaws contain rules that pertain to the following: the official name of the organization; the object or purpose of the organization; requirements for membership; officers and designations; designations of meetings; establishment, composition, powers, and special rules pertaining to the board of directors and executive board; auxiliaries, departments, divisions and financial matters; parliamentary authority; and methods for amending bylaws. (A set of bylaws for a fictitious organization is provided as a guide in drafting bylaws. Standard print, in parentheses, explains what should be contained in the specific article or section. The bold print indicates the actual wording of the bylaws. Five references are included.) (NLA)
