State Officers Workshop Belleville, IL CDA Bylaws State Officers Workshop Belleville, IL

Definition of Bylaw Bylaw – rules and regulations enacted by an association or a corporation to provide a framework for its operations and management

Content of a Bylaw Bylaws are the written rules for conduct of a corporation, association, partnership or any organization. Bylaws generally provide for meetings, elections of a board of directors and officers, filling vacancies, notices, types and duties of officers, committees, assessments and other routine conduct. Bylaws are in effect a contract among members, and must be formally adopted and/or amended.

Procedure for Amending Bylaws The National Committee on Bylaws shall receive and review all proposed changes to the Bylaws. The Bylaws may be amended at any Biennial National Convention by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the National Court present, provided written notice has been submitted to the Local and State Courts four months prior to Convention. It is possible that not all submitted bylaws will be brought forth by the Bylaw Committee at convention.

Emergency Amendment An emergency amendment may be proposed without prior notice at a Biennial National Convention provided it has been previously approved by the National Committee on Bylaws by three-fourth (3/4) vote of the full membership of the committee. The Bylaws may be amended by such an amendment only if approved at any Biennial National Convention by three-fourth (3/4) of the National Court present.

Who Can Submit a Bylaw Bylaws requirements can be found on page 49 Article XXI. Voted on and submitted by one of the following: 1. Local court 2. State board 3. State court 4.National board 5.National Bylaw Committee

Guidelines to Submit Bylaws The deadline for Bylaw amendments to the national bylaw chairman must be postmarked by January 15 of convention year. 5 copies of each proposed amendment with rationale (one amendment per page) Send to Carolyn Bachmann Bylaw Chairman Approved amendments must be signed by the State Regent and State Secretary or by Local Court Regent and Recording Secretary. Send a copy of amendment and rationale proposed by local court to State Regent