1. Post Constitution and Bylaws (CBL) January 21, 2017
Gary Minadeo
Parliamentarian

2. The Plan Introductions Class Objective References Key Points Questions
Wrap Up

3. Introductions Gary Minadeo Current Department Parliamentarian
Current Dynamic Ninth District Finance Officer
Past Post 7, Lake County, and Ninth District Commander
Army,
Math/Engineering Teacher at Cleveland High School, 1999-Present
Your Turn
Name
Post and Position
Service
One Takeaway from this Class

4. Class Objectives Understand that CBL must be Updated to Post Needs
Understand CBL are the Governing Document of the Post
Understand that CBL are Necessary for Chartering and Non-Profit Status
Understand CBL are the Final say on Official Management Procedures
Government Audit
Gaming and Alcohol License
Department Adjudication of Grievances
The Post Officers’ Standard Operating Procedures
Understand that Department Must have Current CBL on File
Understand that CBL must be Updated to Post Needs

5. References Your Most Current CBL are the Best Reference
The Department Boilerplate
Request from Parliamentarian
Soon on the Department Web Site Under ( “Forms”
2016 Officer’s Guide, pages (
National CBL (
Department Adjutant and Parliamentarian
District or County Parliamentarian
Post Parliamentarian

6. Updating Your CBL The General Rule is Every 3-5 Years.
Department asks for No Later than 5 Years.
ADJ/Parliamentarian Suggest EVERY YEAR!!!!
Officers and Committee Persons Must Understand the CBL
They Should Have Their Copy of the CBL at Every Meeting
Review First Meeting After Elections – Make it Social
Minor Corrections (spelling, formatting, gendering) – Note and Date
Major Corrections/Additions Must be Voted on by the Body
Set a Schedule for Approvals

7. An Approval Schedule June and July
Officers and/or a Committee Reviews and Makes Suggested Changes
Prepares a Presentation for the Body.
Announce to the Body that a Review is Underway and Solicit Participation
August and September Business Meetings
Committee Presents to the Body for Discussion and Input
Create Openness and Understanding
October and November Business Meetings
Changes are Read into the Minutes in October with Second Reading in Nov
Notifications to the Entire Body Announcing a Vote at December Meeting
December – Final Reading and Vote

8. Department Approval Process
June and July
Once the Committee has its Initial Changes Send to Department Adjutant or Parliamentarian for a Review and Suggestions
Be Sure to Provide Name, Phone Number, and of the Key Person who can Discuss the CBL
August - November
Discuss the Department’s Input with the Committee and Body
Any additional Changes Coordinate with Department
December
Vote!
Send the New CBL, with Signature Pages Attached, to Department

9. Quorum Troubles
Problem? If Your Business Meeting Quota is Smaller than Your Executive Committee Membership, then they can Vote to Empty all Accounts into their Banks and then Attend the Business Meeting and Approve their Move Legally if No Other Members Come to the Meeting.
Post Meetings are General the Officers and a Few More Members - Maybe
Rarely-to-Never Seeing 51% of the Body
What to Do?
Set the Business Meeting Quorum to a Number that is Reasonable Based on Business Meeting Attendance
My Post is 11 as we rarely have 20.
Now Adjust the Executive Committee Membership
Back of 2 from your Business Meeting Quota
My Post has 9 Executive Committee Members

10. Wrap Up
An Current CBL is Important to the Good Order of Post Operations
A CBL Update Process Gets Everyone Involved
Review the CBL Every Year After Elections
All Officers Should be the CBL Experts
Get the Quorum Numbers Right to Protect the Post Assets
Department Adjutant and Parliamentarian are at Your Service
QUESTIONS

11. Have a Great Conference and 2017: Be Quota!
Gary Minadeo