Bylaws

[Curious George]

I understand that Bylaws are guidelines for any organization, but a couple people stated that the only reason for Bylaws is because we maintain a bank account for collecting dues. Is this the case and what is the best way to respond to this comment?

It is a volunteer organization that provides a forum for socializing, passing valuable information and assisting others through trying times during their journey in the organization. The Bylaws have been voted on and passed long ago by the Executive Committee two years prior.

[Guest Edgar]

I understand that Bylaws are guidelines for any organization

Not exactly. Bylaws are, as their name suggests, laws and, as such, they must be obeyed. They're not just "guidelines" and not just "suggestions".

. . . but a couple people stated that the only reason for Bylaws is because we maintain a bank account for collecting dues. Is this the case and what is the best way to respond to this comment?

It's not the case and the best way to respond is to politely tell those people that they have no idea what they're talking about. But maybe you can say it more politely than that.

[g40]

It is your organization, so you will need to interpret your bylaws, but it seems a bit odd/unusual for an executive committee (and not the membership) to adopt binding bylaws. How did you determine that the "executive committee" even had that authority? What do those bylaws say about changes/amendments - especially which "body"' approves changes/amendments?

[Gary Novosielski]

I understand that Bylaws are guidelines for any organization, but a couple people stated that the only reason for Bylaws is because we maintain a bank account for collecting dues. Is this the case and what is the best way to respond to this comment?

Gales of laughter.