How to Write Bylaws for a Nonprofit Organization Part 6

Contents of this multi-part series on writing bylaws for a non profit organization.

1. The Mission Statement

2. Article 1 (NAME)

3. Article 2 (OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES)

4. Article 3 (FAIRNESS)

5. Article 4 (MEMBERSHIP, VOTING ELIGIBILITY, RUNNING FOR OFFICE)

6. Article 5 (BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

7. Article 6 (FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD)

8. Article 7 (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF)

9. Article 8 (FINACES)

10. Article 9 (COMMITTEES)  THIS PAGE

11. Article 10 (AMENDMENTS)  THIS PAGE

In the previous section we covered Articles 7 and 8 which discussed the role, function and responsibilities of the Executive Director and also How to handle the nonprofits Finances.  In this section we will cover Articles 9 and 10 which discuss the formation of committees and how to handle amendments to these bylaws, respectively.

In many nonprofit organizations, most of the legwork is handled by volunteers.  These volunteers usually work to accomplish goals set by committees.  Committees are normally formed under the guidance of the Board of Directors.  Article 9 discusses the formation and leadership of committees.

The following is how I drafted Article 9 of the bylaws for The League of Fools.

ARTICLE 9: (COMMITTEES)

Only Board members and the Executive Director can chair Committees.  Any dues paying member, regardless of age, may participate in and be members of a Committee.

At the first full Board meeting, the Board of Directors will establish a list of Committees that will help The League of Fools Community Players meet the objectives as outlined in Article 2 of these bylaws.  The list will recommend criteria, scope and procedures for each Committee.

The Executive Committee will choose the necessary Committees and appoint the Committee Chairs using the standards set forth in Article 3.

The only Committee set by these bylaws is the Play Reading Committee which will be chaired by the Vice-President.

The Play Reading Committee will make recommendations to the Board of Directors for the seasons performances.

No set of bylaws can ever cover every detail of an organization. There has to be a way for the bylaws to evolve or grow with the needs of the nonprofit. Article 10 gives the bylaws the necessary means for that growth by covering how Amendments can be made to the organizations bylaws.

The following is how I drafted Article 10 of the bylaws for The League of Fools.

ARTICLE 10: (AMENDMENTS)

These Bylaws may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary to be sent out with regular Board announcements.

This series of hubs covered how to write the bylaws for a nonprofit organization.  I used the bylaws I created for the formation of a community theater in South Carolina, called The League of Fools, as an example of how to write bylaws for an organization that you want to form to create a career for yourself and others.  You can easily navigate to each section of this series by  clicking on the links at the top of this page.

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