Adopting a Constitution and Bylaws by an organization in the church

[Guest Jean]

Good morning,

 

A committee at our church has prepared a Constitution and Bylaws for the Lay Organization.

 

What is the most efficient way to adopt the Constitution by the body?  I was told it had to be read verbatim three separate times.  Each member received a copy a month ago and asked to forward any recommendations for change.

I thought we could take each Article and change as needed, then vote for acceptance.

 

Thank you,

 

Jean

[jstackpo]

The "read three times" business is not an RONR requirement.    It sounds as though you are doing things just fine.

 

It might be a typical union or legislature rule  --  you might check with the person who "told" you as to where he/she got the rule and why he thinks it applies to the adoption of your new Const & Bylaws.

 

§54 0f RONR  (p. 553ff.) gives you the details about adopting a new set of Const & Bylaws  (although it assumes you have only one document - bylaws - which is probably all you really need.  Just think about combining the two you have now. See p. 12.)

[Edgar Guest]

A committee at our church has prepared a Constitution and Bylaws for the Lay Organization.

 

Does your Lay Organization already have either a constitution or bylaws or both? If not, it's not yet an "Organization" (the constitution and/or bylaws will make it one).

 

If it does and the committee is suggesting a revision, you'll need to follow the rules in the existing constitution (and/or bylaws) that says how they are to be amended (i.e. changed).

[Gary Novosielski]

But planning, drafting and researching the method for approving a set of bylaws does make it at least an incipient one.

[George Mervosh]

I was told it had to be read verbatim three separate times. 

 

When Dr. Stackpole notes that there is no three reading requirement, he means it need not be read in three different meetings prior to putting the revision to a vote.  Typically a motion is read when it's moved, after it is stated by the chair, and the final (possibly amended) version prior to voting. 

 

With respect to a long written motion like a revision, unless unanimous consent is given, it must be read when the motion to adopt the revision is made, and once again prior to voting.