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Amending ByLaws by Special Committee


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During a recent club meeting, discussion ensued about the need to update our ByLaws.

A committee was appointed by members volunteering

via email from our Board president, I was appointed to Chair this committee.

 

Our Board has one particular member who steers Board involvement, decisions, and activities by manipulation.  I want to ensure that I can chair this committee through its assignment without interference from outside parties.

 

Am I proposing to communicate a schedule outlining the process by which the committee with manage this task-- Section by Section.  I am proposing a "Member Input" period followed by a "Committee Review" period for each segment of the ByLaws. 

 

Am I understanding Article IX (Committees and Boards), Section 52, Paragraph 2, that my strategy is the proper format for ensuring member input and at the same time protect the committee from outside influence until it is ready to submit its report.?

 

It is my plan that the Committee will review member input, debate among ourselves and draft amendments to the ByLaws taking into consideration member input received.  Present the Board a document (grid) showing current language, our official amendment, and how the new language would read if the amendment is approved.

 

If we present this "report" containing multiple amendments, what is proper Board action?  To handle each amendment separately, or to act upon our report as a whole?

 

 

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Am I understanding Article IX (Committees and Boards), Section 52, Paragraph 2, that my strategy is the proper format for ensuring member input and at the same time protect the committee from outside influence until it is ready to submit its report.?

You're reading a very out-of-date version of Robert's Rules (it seems to be the 4th edition, published in 1915), but yes, this strategy seems fine.

If we present this "report" containing multiple amendments, what is proper Board action? To handle each amendment separately, or to act upon our report as a whole?

What does the board have to do with it? I thought this was a committee of the club.

In any event, when the committee reports to its parent assembly, you could offer each amendment individually, or you could offer a single motion to adopt (or support) all of the proposed amendments. Even if you choose the latter option, however, a member could demand a separate vote on a particular amendment.

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Thank you all....by the way...If I'm quoting an outdated version....I got it from this site.  

No, the 1915 4th edition is not posted on this official Robert's Rules of Order website.  You found it on another website with a deceptively similar name.  We are now in the 11th edition published in 2011.  I suggest strongly that you get it!  http://www.robertsrules.com/book.html

 

If you are truly new to Robert's Rules of Order, you might also get a copy of RONR in Brief:  http://www.robertsrules.com/inbrief.html

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It's on my shopping list!  (perhaps even a Dummie's translation to complement the set.)

 

Josh...when you ask "What does the Board have to do with it?"  Please provide guidance.  It is my understanding that the Board wants this committee to do the work, present recommendations for them to in turn review and present to the members.

 

My fear is our work will stop with the Board.  I want to ensure I have all "rules" in place to protect the interests of the members.

 

If I can get guidance on which sections to have in my pocket.  Thanks.

 

I anticipate this will be a year-long process.  bite by bite.

 

 

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Which body your committee will report to depends on which body actually created the committee. It's not completely clear from your original post which body that was.

You say that the discussion took place "at a club meeting", so was the motion to create this committee made by the general membership at this club meeting?  If so, then your committee report will be presented to the general membership and not the board. However, if the board actually created the committee then your report will be to them.

 

Note that a committee reports to whichever body created it, regardless of the method used to appoint its members - which in your case appears to have been by the board president (via volunteers).

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I'm not totally new to Roberts Rules....I competed on a team in college.  Just very rusty.

 

As to who appointed this special committee...My guess is that if you read the minutes of the meeting, it wouldn't be clear either.

 

A group being guided by someone who got in my face and told me to "read the rules" who probably doesn't even own a copy.

 

So.  I'll place "nice" but do my homework.

 

I am glad to have this forum to guide my thoughts.

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It's on my shopping list!  (perhaps even a Dummie's translation to complement the set.)

If you are referring to "Robert's Rules for  Dummies" by C. Alan Jennings, I recommend it highly.  Mr. Jennings is a well respected professional registered parliamentarian and it is an excellent book which is true to RONR.  Keep in mind, though, that it is not a substitute for RONR, but rather a supplement to RONR which can be of great help in understanding it.  So, if you can afford roughly $35 for the three books from Amazon, I recommend the three we have discussed:  RONR, which is THE authority and you need if you are going to be drafting bylaws and doing anything other than the basics; RONR in Brief which is an excellent basic  primer for those who are completely new to Robert's Rules; and Robert's Rules For Dummies for help understanding some of the more complex provisions of RONR.  Each book serves a purpose. 

 

btw, RONR has an excellent chapter on the content, composition and amendment of bylaws as well as well-written sample bylaws.  Robert's Rules for Dummies is also helpful in this regard.  RONR in Brief does not get into drafting bylaws or bylaw amendments.

 

The National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) also has several books and pamphlets on bylaws which you might find helpful.  From the home page, click on "Store" on the bar at the top to see what they have available:  http://www.parliamentarians.org/

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The National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) also has several books and pamphlets on bylaws which you might find helpful.  From the home page, click on "Store" on the bar at the top to see what they have available:  http://www.parliamentarians.org/

 

Also, no organization on the planet actually processes more bylaw amendments than NAP.  So they have a lot of practice.  :)

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Also, no organization on the planet actually processes more bylaw amendments than NAP.  So they have a lot of practice.   :)

 

Well, they have to have something to do at their conventions.

Yep.   22 of em at next week's convention... 47 pages worth!!   42 amendments if you count the "conforming amendments".  I think we will be busy.

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Yep.   22 of em at next week's convention... 47 pages worth!!   42 amendments if you count the "conforming amendments".  I think we will be busy.

 

Assuming there aren't 25 or so amendments to the proposed convention standing rules, like there usually are, you might even get them all done.  I can't be there but have fun.

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Yeah, and poor me; I have to write the minutes. I fear reaching a new length of 50 pages or so!

 

Back when I competed.  I was the secretary.  The whole competition was timed, including the allowance to compose the minutes.  The typewriter ribbon broke as I sat along in the room in a panic.

I notified the moderator, the equipment was fixed and I still beat the bell.  We got 2nd place!

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As to who appointed this special committee...My guess is that if you read the minutes of the meeting, it wouldn't be clear either.

 

Well, was it a meeting of the membership or a meeting of the board?

 

It was a meeting of the membership.

 

Then it's very likely a committee of the membership.

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