The constitution & bylaws contain the “internal” rules of an organization. They are the rules and ordinances made by a corporation for its own government.

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The bylaws typically contain:

• The name of the organization

• It's Object

• Members

• Officers

• Meetings

• Executive Board

• Committees

• Parliamentarian Authority

• Amendment Process

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The units should become familiar with the Constitutions at all levels - Department, District and Unit. Constitutions are found on the website every year along with the Department Policies. Review your governances at one of your first meetings and update your standing rules as needed. Standing rules should not repeat or alter any of the rules stated in the Constitution & Bylaws.

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The Standing Rules should pertain to anything specific to your Unit or District. Some examples are:

• Time, day, and place of the meetings

• List of fundraisers

• The dues that unit pays for - anyone who is ill or maybe all over 75 years of age

• Sending cards to those who are ill or family of deceased

• How much the unit dues are

• Do you pay mileage for conducting unit business, and, if so, how much. In other words, the things that differ from unit to unit.

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Standing rules should be reviewed and changed annually. Although you may change them throughout the year, it is not a recommended method. If you find you need to make frequent updates to your rules, you may want to consider rewriting them totally to better fit your unit’s needs. Make sure your rules are written clear enough for everyone to understand. Remember that you can not make a rule that you, at that level of our organization, cannot change.

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To change any of the documents, submit the completed three-column proposal form found on the National website. That can be used for Unit, District, Department or National Constitutions and Bylaws and also for Department Standing Rules. Everyone should be familiar with the governing documents – read them all!