What NOT to Put in Your Nonprofit Organization's Bylaws Organizational Policies and Procedures. Specifically Targeted Policies that Adversely Affect Future Boards. Provisions that Violate State Laws. Inconsistencies with the Articles of Incorporation. Making Bylaws Too Inflexible. Incorporating Robert's Rules of Order.
They contain the basic rules for the conduct of the corporation's business and affairs. The bylaws may contain any provision for managing the business and regulating the corporation's affairs that is not inconsistent with statutory law or the corporation's Articles of Incorporation.
Your bylaws are legally binding—so treat them as such. Failure to comply with your bylaws can result in issues ranging from organizational conflict to personal liability, the rejection or loss of tax-exempt status, and in some cases, lawsuits.
Like the Constitution, your bylaws should deal with only the highest level of governing issues such as: Organizational purpose, board structure, officer position descriptions and responsibilities, terms of board service, officer/board member succession and removal, official meeting requirements, membership provisions, ...
Your bylaws are legally binding—so treat them as such. Failure to comply with your bylaws can result in issues ranging from organizational conflict to personal liability, the rejection or loss of tax-exempt status, and in some cases, lawsuits.
It is important to realize, however, that bylaws are not required as a matter of law with one exception. Bylaws are required when the articles of incorporation do not specify the number of directors in a corporation.
Here are some examples of provisions that nonprofit organizations should avoid including in their bylaws. Organizational Policies and Procedures. Specifically Targeted Policies that Adversely Affect Future Boards. Provisions that Violate State Laws. Inconsistencies with the Articles of Incorporation.
The shareholders elect the officers of the corporation who then run the day-to-day operations of the corporation. A corporation does not have to have a board of directors, although most do.
Breach of Fiduciary Duties When directors or officers fail to follow the corporation's governing documents, they open themselves up to liability for breaching their duties of care and obedience. Officers and directors may be held personally liable in the event a breach of duty occurs.
You need to go to the Attorney General, they will pursue them for not providing the bylaws.