Guest Dr. Matt Hogendobler Posted August 15, 2011 at 02:58 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 02:58 PM Our church is revising its current Bylaws document in toto. We already have a Constitution. Isn't there a mnemonic (acronym?)for the ordering of articles and, if so, what does each of the letters stand for? Maybe I am confusing this with the one for creating a Constitution? Thanks. Dr. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Harrison Posted August 15, 2011 at 03:22 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 03:22 PM Our church is revising its current Bylaws document in toto. We already have a Constitution. Isn't there a mnemonic (acronym?)for the ordering of articles and, if so, what does each of the letters stand for? Maybe I am confusing this with the one for creating a Constitution? Thanks. Dr. MattI don't know of any mnemonic or acronym for that (but stay tuned because there are folks here who have ages more experience than me ). However, see RONR pp. 553-564 for RONR's recommendation of the order of articles and pp. 564-570 for sample bylaws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted August 15, 2011 at 03:40 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 03:40 PM My favorite is "No, mom, ec pad" which isn't too meaningful, but it seems to work.NameObjectMembersOfficers (and election)MeetingsExecutive Board (AKA Board of Directors & Executive Committee, if desired)CommitteesParliamentary AuthorityAmendmentsDissolution (maybe only needed for legal - tax - purposes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dr. Matt Hogendobler Posted August 15, 2011 at 03:55 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 03:55 PM My favorite is "No, mom, ec pad" which isn't too meaningful, but it seems to work.NameObjectMembersOfficers (and election)MeetingsExecutive Board (AKA Board of Directors & Executive Committee, if desired)CommitteesParliamentary AuthorityAmendmentsDissolution (maybe only needed for legal - tax - purposes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dr. Matt Hogendobler Posted August 15, 2011 at 06:36 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 06:36 PM Thank you both. I thought that mnemonic was for constitutions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted August 15, 2011 at 06:49 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 06:49 PM RONR recommends combining Constitution & Bylaws into one document, called (wait for it...) ... bylaws. P. 12 & 548. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dr. Matt Hogendobler Posted August 15, 2011 at 08:04 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 08:04 PM RONR recommends combining Constitution & Bylaws into one document, called (wait for it...) ... bylaws. P. 12 & 548. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dr. Matt Hogendobler Posted August 15, 2011 at 08:09 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 08:09 PM Were it that easy! I've been waiting 3 years for our Bylaws Committee to get the thing done, so I am doing it myself. I can't conceive of a way to get them to agree to combining our age-old Constitution into one, although I can recommend it (with much trepidation). I thought Constitutions were supposed to be impossible to amend and Bylaws, which is why they're a separate document, a little easier, requiring fewer votes to pass. Hmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weldon Merritt Posted August 15, 2011 at 09:27 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 at 09:27 PM Were it that easy! I've been waiting 3 years for our Bylaws Committee to get the thing done, so I am doing it myself. I can't conceive of a way to get them to agree to combining our age-old Constitution into one, although I can recommend it (with much trepidation). I thought Constitutions were supposed to be impossible to amend and Bylaws, which is why they're a separate document, a little easier, requiring fewer votes to pass. Hmmmm.If an organization does choose to have a separate constitution and bylaws, then yes, the constitution should be harder to amend (though probably not impossible). For example, I belong to one international organization in which all clubs have the same boiler-plate constitution which can be amended only by the international convention (except that clubs can amend their name and city). Of course, in that organizatioin, the bylaws are almost as hard to amend. They are about 90% boiler plate mandated by the parent organization, with only a few provisions subject to amendment by the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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