how do you amend by-laws if a quorum is impossible?Our by-laws (written in the 1980's) state that a 2/3 vote of members present is required to amend t

[bigred73]

Our by-laws (written in the 1980's) state that a 2/3 vote of members present is required to amend the by-laws. It also states that a quorum is defined as at least one-half of the members. Our growth, both in number of members and geographical disrtibution of members, makes it impossible to meet the quorum requirement.  Typically fewer than 100 of our 1000 members attend the meeting.  So how do we go about amending the by-laws?

[jstackpo]

2/3 "vote of members present" is (almost) the standard vote requirement - see p. 581 - usually the words "and voting" follow "present".   (Or the words "of members present" is left out.)

 

However, with respect to your quorum.... You have my sympathies.

 

If you are incorporated the state law may have an out for you.  Ask around.

[bigred73]

ooops - sorry about the long subject line. I pushed enter rather than delete.

[Edgar Guest]

Our growth, both in number of members and geographical disrtibution of members, makes it impossible to meet the quorum requirement.  

 

If you absolutely can't get enough members to attend just one very important (and brief) meeting in order to adjust the quorum requirement (refreshments? door prizes?) you might try asking all non-local members to "resign" (they can always re-join later). Some might argue that you'd need to meet your current quorum requirement in order to accept the resignations but I think that's a judgment call.