Bylaws Consulting

“Even if the drafting [of Bylaws] is to be done by members of the committee, a parliamentarian can often be of great assistance as a consultant.”

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th ed.), page 566-567

Bylaws are forever a source of confusion. But, the good news is, they don’t have to be! Whether your organization is looking to make isolated changes or an entire revision, a Parliamentarian can be with you every step of the way. Bylaws provisions need to be unambiguous so that members and Boards can consistently apply them.

Our Principal’s training to become a Professional Registered Parliamentarian included modules of governing documents. We can work with your corporation, association, or club (and your attorneys, if applicable) to ensure that the drafted Bylaws language is clear, members are given adequate notice of the proposed changes, and there was a requisite vote to approve the changes.

Below are examples of typical engagements under this category of service. As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or would like a quote.

Discrete Amendments

Oftentimes a desire to change procedures or an edict from a parent body will give rise to Bylaws changes. No matter the rationale, a Parliamentarian can review the proposed wording to verify that is unambiguous and addresses the root cause for the change.

Bylaws Revisions

When your corporation or association wishes to change numerous Bylaws provisions, it can be advantageous to propose a complete revision of the Bylaws. We can work with you to engage the relevant stakeholders and committees to develop a document for approval.

Parliamentary Opinion (Bylaws Interpretation)

Don’t allow conflicts between Robert’s Rules and your governing documents to grind your meetings to a halt. Parliamentarians can be engaged to draft a formal professional opinion to interpret your Bylaws and how they apply to a particular parliamentary situation.

Policy Management

Many HOA and COA Boards will vote on neighborhood regulations, but, unless they are organized in a coherent manner, homeowners will have difficulty complying. Without attention to detail, homeowners might become confused about whether a new regulation is an amendment of a previous one or an outright repeal. Not to worry–our staff can keep accurate records of your organization’s or corporation’s policies, and present them in an electronic format that’s easy to understand.