Guest Jodi Posted November 20, 2017 at 03:44 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 03:44 PM Question: Does the 6 month waiting period, noted on our website and on the application, conflict with our by-laws? We have bee following this 6 month waiting period process for at least 20 years. This is in the by-laws: Member. This class of membership is open to any candidate member, 18 years of age and older, who has attended at least two member meetings, assisted with at least two club functions, has two members as sponsors and has shown an active interest in promoting the goals and objectives of the club This is on the website: “You may become a full member of xxx six to twelve months after becoming a Candidate Member, after fulfilling service requirements and attending meetings. Please fill out the Regular Membership application and submit.” This is on the Regular Membership application: “I/we have been a member candidate of the xxx for the required six months, and I/we would like to be considered for full Membership.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted November 20, 2017 at 03:55 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 03:55 PM Apparently your bylaws do not support your six-month waiting period, and it would fall to a Point of Order. Membership conditions listed in the bylaws can only be changed by amending the bylaws, according to the proper procedure for doing so. If you want to have an enforceable waiting period it would have to be in the bylaws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted November 20, 2017 at 04:10 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 04:10 PM I agree with Mr. Novosielski, but would add that, depending on provisions in the bylaws, it might be permissible for the body which approves applications for membership (provided such approval is required), can delay considering an application until after six months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Katz Posted November 20, 2017 at 04:17 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 04:17 PM 21 minutes ago, Gary Novosielski said: Apparently your bylaws do not support your six-month waiting period, and it would fall to a Point of Order. Hmm. The aggrieved party here, though, cannot raise a point of order, since they have been denied membership (for the time being). Even once they join, a person who was upset about it is unlikely to make waves as a brand-new member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodi Posted November 20, 2017 at 04:21 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 04:21 PM I had thought that a Point of Order was only if the action was in conflict with, or violated, the By-laws. I also thought that standing rules and past practices can clarify criteria, and/or create a rule that is more easily changed than by-laws. For example if we wanted to create the policy of a 6-month waiting period, but may want to change it to 1 year, we should do a standing rule so we could change it more easily than the by-laws? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hieu H. Huynh Posted November 20, 2017 at 05:11 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 05:11 PM Someone can be a member if that person meets the requirements for membership according to the bylaws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintCad Posted November 20, 2017 at 05:58 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 05:58 PM Just to clarify because I saw this answer in another thread a few days ago: if the requirement for membership is in the bylaws then the organization cannot add to it except by amending the bylaws. My question is where is that in RONR to show the Chair on a Point of Order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Who's Coming to Dinner Posted November 20, 2017 at 06:40 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 06:40 PM It's one of the principles of interpretation, namely, that when the bylaws authorize something (requirements for membership), other things of that same class (additional requirements) are thereby prohibited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted November 20, 2017 at 08:12 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 08:12 PM 3 hours ago, Jodi said: I had thought that a Point of Order was only if the action was in conflict with, or violated, the By-laws. I also thought that standing rules and past practices can clarify criteria, and/or create a rule that is more easily changed than by-laws. For example if we wanted to create the policy of a 6-month waiting period, but may want to change it to 1 year, we should do a standing rule so we could change it more easily than the by-laws? I concur with my colleagues, but would add that if flexibility on this subject is desired, the organization could adopt a rule in the bylaws that “The organization may adopt a rule providing for a waiting period for membership.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Honemann Posted November 20, 2017 at 08:49 PM Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 at 08:49 PM 29 minutes ago, Josh Martin said: I concur with my colleagues, but would add that if flexibility on this subject is desired, the organization could adopt a rule in the bylaws that “The organization may adopt a rule providing for a waiting period for membership.” Apparently, one of the bylaw requirements for admission to membership is that a candidate must have "shown an active interest in promoting the goals and objectives of the club". I suppose this may provide some wiggle room for the adoption of rules concerning what one must do in order to demonstrate sufficient interest to meet this requirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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