Your group's bylaws are the foundation of your group or organization, the rules by which it will govern itself. A group without bylaws will almost certainly dissolve into chaos. Weak bylaws create a weak organization; well-thought-out, well-planned bylaws equal a strong organization.

Who Writes Them

Bylaws are usually best made by a bylaws committee comprising a mixture of types of individuals — those with common sense, some foresight, and a strong sense of democratic principles. Does your group have the type of individuals in it that can be of service in creating bylaws? Do they have the knowledge and experience with parliamentary procedure to write the rules that will run the organization? Some people truly love setting up the structure of a group or organization. You've just got to find those people.

The bylaws committee may need the advice of a parliamentarian. The names and Web addresses of organizations that may be of help in this area are listed in Appendix C. If your organization is large or there will be financial and legal issues, you may need the advice of a qualified attorney to review your bylaws.

What's Included

Bylaws must be detailed enough to give a group an “operating manual” but not so focused on minutiae that they look as if they were drawn up by a committee of nitpickers. They should be drawn up at the time of the formation of the group, but they can always be changed at the mandate of the membership, with proper notice and either a two-thirds or majority vote — depending on what is written in the bylaws!

It's important that you specify in your bylaws which particular edition of Robert's Rules the organization will use as the governing manual for parliamentary procedure; remember, don't just insert a phrase that states that “Robert's Rules will be used.” This makes it too hard later when something is challenged to determine which book you're referring to. Be very specific: “The Everything® Robert's Rules Book, Adams Media, 2004, will be used.”