Amending Constitution

[emb021]

Originally Posted by GammaDelt

I know I'm coming across as an idiot, but is there a proper way to amend our Constitution? I'm just not sure how to notate a change in bylaws/amendment.

First off, a little FYI. Using separate constitution and bylaw documents is no longer standard parliamentary practice and hasn't been since the 1960s or so. Organizations are recommended to have a single document called bylaws. There would still be your articles of association/incorporation, and your standing rules. As someone said "countries have constitutions, organizations have bylaws".

Now, as to your question.

Am going to make an assumption about what I think you are asking. You want to make some change in your consitition. Are you asking how to put forth your proposal? I would recommend the following:

Note clearly what is the current wording: Note the article and what it currently says.

Then note what/how you want to change it (add, remove, replace).

Then note how it will read after the change.

(giving all 3 will help you members who may get confused by the changes and not be clear about the final result)

Then, to make it easier for your members, state in one sentence what you are doing, THEN follow that up with a paragraph or so explaining what you are doing and why. Don't go overboard with your explanation. Use your discussion period at your meeting for that.

As noted, your constitution should state how to amend it. Usually you are required to submit proposed amendements in advance to the group prior to putting it to a vote. At that time members will have a change to discuss the item and make their vote. Your constitution will give how to submit it, and what vote is needed (almost always, changes to constitutions/bylaws need more then a majority of members present to approve, so be sure everyone knows what is needed, especially your president).

If your organization has a parliamentarian, I would hope they could help you with this. If not, see if there is someone at your school who is a parliamentarian (ideally someone who really knows parliamentarian procedure ). Or as a last resort, see if there is a local chapter of the National Association of Parliamentarians or the American Institution of Parliamentarians. Their members could also help you.

Hope this helps.