I think I see what is going on. What you (and RONR) would call bylaws, I (and groups I have been part of) would call a constitution. What you (and RONR) would call standing rules, I (and groups I have been part of) would call bylaws or some other similar term.
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Originally Posted by emb021
But what 'constitutes' the group is the purpose of a groups articles of associations/incorporation (yes, this is *usually* a legal document, but that's its purpose).
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Okay, we're drifting into esoterica here, but as a lawyer, I think I would disagree with this. If you're talking about a business, that I could buy the idea that the Article of Incorpotation essentially creates the business. But I don't think that's the case with voluntary associations. Articles of Association/Incorporation do not, in and of themselves, create an organization. Articles of Association/Incorporation confer on an organization a specific legal status it otherwise would not have. I can think of many organizations that went for years -- decades, even -- without being incorporated. All that meant was that they did not have the legal status (benefits and obligations) of a corporation.
Meanwhile, the etymologist in me can't help noting that "constitution" and "constitute" come from the same root word.
But it's all interesting. Thanks!