Amending Constitution

[Matsimela]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Bylaws and your constitution are usually separate entities. The Constitution is a general outline, while the bylaws are more specific, though easier to amend.

I agree

Also, just fyi, your constitution should be designed so that you dont need to make amendments to it. Its supposed to be a general overview of how things are supposed to work (from my experience in several different types of orgs).
As far as notation goes, I would imagine that if something you changed in your constitution effected the language or content of your bylaws, then when its presented and voted on, that concern should be presented as well. In turn, once the vote is passed, then the language/content should be changed in both and the date of amendment logged on both documents.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by GammaDelt

Thanks for this info, but I was actually more concerned about it's notation. Am I supposed to notate what bylaw the amendment affects?

As others have said, amendments to a constitution do not affect bylaws per se. If a constitutional amendment renders a provision of the bylaws out of whack, then the bylaws also have to be amended to conform to the constitution.

In many organizations, the constitution and/or bylaws will be annotated. That is to say, after a specific provision, you might see something along these lines:

NOTE: Amended by the 2009 Convention to change the requirement for amending the Contitution from a three-fourths majority vote to a two-thirds majority vote.

Originally Posted by Matsimela

Also, just fyi, your constitution should be designed so that you dont need to make amendments to it. Its supposed to be a general overview of how things are supposed to work (from my experience in several different types of orgs).

I wouldn't go quite that far. You're quite right that a constitution is supposed to provide a general framework not get into details. The bylaws are for the details. That said, I think any constitution is (or should be) designed with the understanding that amendments will be needed from time to time. That's why they should always contain provisions on how to amend.