When are members entitled to receive a copy of the constitution

[Guest Guest RGB]

When are members entitled to receive a copy of the constitution and by-laws?

[jstackpo]

When they join an association.  --  page 14, although it is a "should" statement, albeit a strong one in my view, not  "must".

[Not everybody is a bylaw nerd like us folks here.]

[Josh Martin]

57 minutes ago, Guest Guest RGB said:

When are members entitled to receive a copy of the constitution and by-laws?

Strictly speaking, members do not have a right to a copy of the constitution and bylaws, although RONR suggests that giving members copies of the bylaws is a good practice. Members do, however, have a right to view the constitution and bylaws. So if the society refuses to provide a copy or otherwise make the bylaws accessible, members could set up a meeting with the Secretary.

[jstackpo]

And, to clarify a point perhaps (is it necessary?), the text of the Constitution/Bylaws would be incorporated (at least by reference) in the minutes of the meeting at which it was adopted.  And ALL members do have a right to see/read the minutes of their association -- page 460.

[why do I feel like a prosecuting attorney in spelling this out?  Too much MSNBC I suspect]

[Guest Who's Coming to Dinner]

I think that technically all RONR guarantees is the opportunity to review the minutes. One would presumably find all the bylaws and amendments therein, though it could be quite a slog.

[Shmuel Gerber]

11 hours ago, Guest Who's Coming to Dinner said:

I think that technically all RONR guarantees is the opportunity to review the minutes. One would presumably find all the bylaws and amendments therein, though it could be quite a slog.

That is not correct; members have the right to examine the bylaws as well. See RONR (11th ed.), p. 460, ll. 13-17.