Bylaws

What are bylaws?

Your non-profit board requires a set of rules and regulations - or bylaws - that govern its internal operations. Bylaws may also be referred to as the charter or constitution. The bylaws provide structure, organization and continuity to such matters as the definition of who is included in the organization's membership, the composition of the board and how board meetings will be run. When disagreements arise on your board regarding the ways it conducts its internal affairs, the bylaws should provide the solution.

What should the bylaws say?

Each non-profit has unique needs and circumstances and therefore has a distinctive set of bylaws. However, the subjects that comprise bylaws tend to be similar from one organization to the next. In fact, the provincial legislation governing the incorporation of societies or non-profit associations typically requires certain topics to be covered in all non-profits' bylaws. The ways in which these subjects are dealt with will differ in each organization, though, depending upon its needs.

Here are the subjects that are commonly addressed in a non-profit organization's bylaws. Have a look too at some of the questions the bylaws should answer.

• Introductory Articles
• Membership
• Meetings of the Membership
• Board of Directors or "Government"
• Officers
• Committees
• Employees
• Administrative and Financial Matters
• Dissolution
• Amendments

If you do not have a copy of your organization's bylaws, you should request one and keep it handy for quick reference. As a board member, it is important for you to be familiar with the bylaws because they outline the fundamental, enduring rules that guide the way your organization and your board conduct business.

To understand more about your board's operations, learn about executive officers.

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