Amend Bylaws with 30 day notice.

[Brad V.]

Our organization bylaws state we use Robert's Rules of Order. We will be considering a Bylaw Amendment and our bylaws state, "At the first regularly scheduled meeting of the calendar year, the Bylaws may be changed or amended by two-thirds vote of the Club Representatives present, provided that the proposed changes have been presented to the active Club Presidents thirty (30) days prior to the meeting." The 30 days previous notice has been sent.

It has been suggested the proposed bylaw amendment must be voted on as written; that no amending of the amendment can be made. No reason for this has been provided.

It has also been suggested the proposed bylaw amendment cannot be amended as the now proposed amendment to the original amendment would then require previous notice as in the passage in quotes above. 

Given the limited information provided a. can we amend a proposed amendment; and b. would the proposed amendment to the amendment fall under the above passage in quotes?

 

 

[Joshua Katz]

The concept that applies here is "scope of notice." The proposal may be amended in such ways as not to defeat the notice that was provided. For instance, suppose notice is given for a proposal to raise dues from $10 to $30. You may amend the proposal by striking "$30" and inserting "$20" but not by inserting "$50." If you know dues may be raised to $30, that includes the possibility of raising them to $20, so if it matters to you, you'll be there. But you may be fine with $30, but you'd come to vote against $50, so you lack notice for $50.

[Brad V.]

Thank you. Along this same topic. There will be a proposed amendment that will have an entirely new section added to an existing bylaw section addressing a new topic. Is "scope of notice" addressed the same with a completely new topic? For instance a new section will address "Voting guidelines for this tournament format will be as follows." There then follows 5 individual steps. Does "scope of notice" determine if a step can be removed, or changed? Can a step be added? 

[Josh Martin]

On 2/1/2024 at 12:49 PM, Brad V. said:

Thank you. Along this same topic. There will be a proposed amendment that will have an entirely new section added to an existing bylaw section addressing a new topic. Is "scope of notice" addressed the same with a completely new topic? For instance a new section will address "Voting guidelines for this tournament format will be as follows." There then follows 5 individual steps. Does "scope of notice" determine if a step can be removed, or changed? Can a step be added? 

Scope of notice is still applicable, but in such circumstances, the "scope" will be quite broad.

My understanding is that the "voting guidelines for this tournament format" do not presently exist at all. As such, it seems to me removing, changing, or adding steps in this process are all within scope.