Is elected official governed by bylaws they had not seen?

[Guest Lucy Briggs]

Groups bylaws had not been circulated to members in maybe 8 years. Officer was elected and was not aware of the bylaws. Must they follow these bylaws?

Since the group has plenty of money, she objects to paying dues, but still wants to vote.

Thanks

 

[Rob Elsman]

No rule in RONR that I know of exempts members from being obligated to pay their dues on account of not having seen the bylaws.

[Joshua Katz]

34 minutes ago, Guest Lucy Briggs said:

Groups bylaws had not been circulated to members in maybe 8 years. Officer was elected and was not aware of the bylaws. Must they follow these bylaws?

 

Yes.

34 minutes ago, Guest Lucy Briggs said:

Since the group has plenty of money, she objects to paying dues, but still wants to vote.

 

Well, it's not in general the case that failure to pay dues takes away the right to vote, unless your bylaws so prescribe. But no, the fact that the bylaws have not been distributed does not mean that she needn't pay dues. Neither does the group having lots of money.

However, you could end this whole dispute, I'd think, by distributing copies of the bylaws. If members haven't seen them, then you certainly should do so, or else provide some way to see them.