Amending bylaws

[ruthshnnn]

We are in the process of amending our bylaws.  The bylaws state that all amendments must be approved at a general membership meeting held in June of each year.  We would like to make some changes, vote on them as a board, then live by the board's decision until June when the membership can formally approve all changes.  Can this be done, or must we follow the old bylaws until the membership meeting?

 

[Timothy]

No, that is improper. The bylaws approved by the membership is what you go by.

[ruthshnnn]

Thanks for clarifying that.  I suspected that would be the answer.  The bylaws state that amendments must be approved in the annual membership meeting, but they also clearly state that special membership meetings can be called at other times--though, to my knowledge, they never have been.  Is it possible to call a special membership meeting to approve bylaw amendments even though the bylaws say changes must be approved at the "Annual Meeting"?

[Edgar Guest]

Is it possible to call a special membership meeting to approve bylaw amendments even though the bylaws say changes must be approved at the "Annual Meeting"?

 

If you're asking, again, if you can violate your bylaws the answer is sill no.

[Gary Novosielski]

Thanks for clarifying that.  I suspected that would be the answer.  The bylaws state that amendments must be approved in the annual membership meeting, but they also clearly state that special membership meetings can be called at other times--though, to my knowledge, they never have been.  Is it possible to call a special membership meeting to approve bylaw amendments even though the bylaws say changes must be approved at the "Annual Meeting"?

Obviously not.