Bylaws of Parent Organization

[eleanor]

Our national parent organization recently passed bylaws that will apply to chapters around the country.  Should the chapter's bylaws automatically be updated with the national bylaw changes without a vote?  If there's a vote, a change could end up not passing.  Does Robert's Rule address this topic?

[Hieu H. Huynh]

Whether these changes are automatic depends on the details in the national bylaws and the chapter bylaws. More information could be helpful.

[Kim Goldsworthy]

4 hours ago, eleanor said:

Our national parent organization recently passed bylaws that will apply to chapters around the country. 

Q1.) Should the chapter's bylaws automatically be updated with the national bylaw changes without a vote? 

Q2.) If there's a vote, a change could end up not passing.  -- Does Robert's Rule address this topic?

A1.) No. A vote will be necessary by each affiliate (what you call a "chapter"), if the affiliate wishes to maintain affiliation.

While the adoption will be effective at the superior level instantly (being the body who originated the rule), the lower affiliates may choose (a.) to drop affiliation, (b.) to challenge the rule, or (c.) to question its applicability to the specific affiliate.

From the point of view of the superior adopting party, the rule is instantaneously applicable to all affiliates. From the point of view of the affiliates, the affiliates must (a.) learn of the existence of the rule; (b.) decide if the rule truly applies to them; (c.) choose whether to comply, or to not comply.

There will be a delay of some kind, even if modest.

• If #a never happens, then #b and #c do not happen.

• If #a and #b happens, then there may be a delay of some kind (e.g., a "grievance", an "appeal", a "trial", etc.) before #c takes place.

***

A2.) No. The relationship between a superior organization and its inferior affiliates is a customized relationship. There is no default parliamentary relationship.

There are instances where the affiliate chooses to break off affiliation (or has no choice but to break off affiliation), due to an unreasonable, unpopular, or impossible rule, adopted by the superior party.

[Guest Eleanor]

Thanks Kim.