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I am Chair of an organization that follows Robert's. Our membership is restricted to a certain group of people, though these requirements are under scrutiny. Our by-laws lay out the process for amending the by-laws, but they do not specifically bar non-members from proposing an amendment. I can't find anything in Robert's that says a non-member can not make a motion or amendment. It appears to be left up to each organization. Does anyone has a clear answer on this? Thank you!

Hello, I am seeking guidance on a question related to Bylaw Amendments. Can an amendment be changed the day the members vote? Example: Member A: Submits an Amendment to change quorum to 2/3 Member B: Request to amend to 1/3. Would that be okay to do or are the members supposed to vote on original submissions only? Can you please reference any page numbers so I can read as well? Thank you for your help!

Our bylaws state, “Voting by proxy and/or absentee ballot is prohibited.” And— “ARTICLE XV: AMENDMENTS These PTA bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (%) vote of the members present and voting, a quorum having been met, at any general membership meeting, provided that these requirements have been complied with” Can the executive board and membership vote on bylaws amendments via email?

I would like to thank you in advance for any answers you may provide. In an Assembly, whose bylaws generally do not conflict with the procedures in Robert's Rules, when is a member considered to have exercised his right to make a speech before the Assembly? Does the member's first opportunity to speak expire as soon as the member is recognized? Or does it actually expire when the member enters debate? Suppose that a member rises, is recognized, and only states a subsidiary motion (such as a motion to amend), does that count as a speech? Suppose a member speaks on the topic of the main motion and then ends his speech by moving to amend the main motion(and as soon as it is seconded, sits down), does that count as a speech to the main motion, to the subsidiary motion, or to both?

I'm on the board of a non profit with bylaws that don't address the process for amending them. There's an immediate to amend one of the bylaws within the next 12 days. It's my understanding that if we have an isolated bylaw change we can handle it as we would a motion to" Amend Something Previously Adopted." Since timing is critical and there isn't time to send a notice it would take a 2/3rd vote to pass the change. I expect push back and wanted validation on this plan.

How much notice is required for making an amendment during a convention that takes place one a year? How about for significant changes? Is notice to the Executive Board / Constitution Committee sufficient? What about notice to chief delegates? When would it be reasonable / latest time to have the organization distribute the amendment to members?

Our faculty charter & bylaws allow the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC) to recommend charter/bylaw amendments to be ratified (or not) by the faculty as a whole. The charter and bylaws do not specify whether or not proposed amendments must be submitted for ratification individually, or if proposed amendments could be submitted for ratification as a "slate" to be voted up or down in its entirety. I'm new in the Parliamentarian position, and I need help... I am given to understand that the FAC would prefer to recommend a slate of amendments rather than individual amendments. It seems to me that if that's what they wish to do, then they could. Our charter states only that " Any proposed amendment(s) to the charter must be presented in writing to the faculty of the College of Music at least fourteen (14) class days before faculty discussion and subsequent balloting at a special meeting of the faculty." There is just no mention of slate vs. individual. Am I off-base, here? Can the FAC recommend a slate of amendments, or must they recommend individual amendments? Thanks in advance!!!

I am a 'member' of a fraternal 501c3, formed in 1960, there are no signed, dated, sealed bylaws in existence. The document they use is undated, unsigned, multi font, with no page numbers. The process for amendments in that document is: "ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS; SECTION 1. Amendment Process. Alterations or amendments to, or the repeal of the existing By-Laws or the adoption of new By-Laws may be considered at any Annual or Special Meeting of the Members of the Foundation and become effective if two-thirds (2/3) of the Members at such meeting, either present in person or represented by proxy, vote in favor of such changes in the By-Laws. Such changes may be made at any Annual or Special Meeting of the Members provided that notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, repeal of an existing By-Law, or adoption of a new By-Law has been given to the Members of the Foundation at least sixty (60) days before such meeting of the Members of the foundation called for such purpose. All such notices contemplated shall be considered given if sent by regular mail of the United States Post Office or duly published in..." (the parent organizations official publication). The parent organization members (who are members of the foundation) at a semi-annual meeting of the parent governing board passed: 1) a total rewrite of the bylaws; 2) a motion to print in official publication 3) a motion to repeal the existing bylaws; 4) a motion to notify the foundation trustees by US Mail, return receipt the proposed bylaws, list of motions and publication timeline deadline. The foundation is declaring their one change is the ONLY one that will be voted upon. The parent organization was formed in 1923. To be member or officer of the foundation formed in 1960 one has to be member of a club in good standing of the parent organization. Both are separate non-profit corporations founded in MO. Both are totally separate except for the membership requirement. QUESTIONS: There is nothing in the current "bylaws" requiring trustee approval etc. so can they just ignore what appears to be 'properly' presented full revision? FYI - there was a trustee present at the parent meeting representing the foundation chairman but "everything was above his pay grade." Assume their one amendment is voted down. The total revision version would be voted on next. If adopted, then vote on repeal of the undated/unsigned version? OR Their version voted down. Vote on the repeal of the unsigned/undated version. Then vote on total rewrite of bylaws? Or something else? i could not find anything in the Robert's Rules of Order dealing with any of this. Lastly, does the rewrite version have to have changes highlighted/different color of font etc.?