Your bylaws should help you resolve internal conflict, and demonstrate your commitment to responsibly managing donations to both the IRS and the general public. Not all states require nonprofits to draft these governing documents, but Texas does.
Corporate bylaws are legally required in Texas. Don't mess with Texas—skipping this step could have serious consequences.
Texas does require bylaws for all nonprofit corporations that must be adopted at the first organizational meeting of the organization's board of directors. However, the Texas Secretary of State doesn't require nonprofits to file their bylaws with the state.
Bylaws cover a range of topics, including finances, voting, appointing officers and directors, and even what happens if the company needs to close. While you won't need to file your corporate bylaws with the Secretary of State—unlike the Texas Certificate of Formation—every Texas corporation is required to have bylaws.
The Texas Business Organizations Code requires a nonprofit corporation to have at least three directors, one president, and one secretary. The same person cannot be both the president and secretary. Officers and directors must be natural persons, but may be known by other titles.
The Texas Business Organizations Code requires that for-profit corporations and professional corporations have at least one director, one president, and one secretary. A single person can be the president, secretary, sole director, and sole shareholder.
The secretary of state does not maintain the bylaws or tax exempt filings of any nonprofit organization. Some organizations that have obtained tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service are required to make certain documents available to the public.
Topics to Include in Your Corporate Bylaws. Shareholders' Meetings. Corporate Officers: Positions, Duties, and Appointment. Board of Directors: Number, Term, and Elections. Board of Directors Meetings. Corporate Records and Reports. Shares and Stock Certificates.
Your bylaws are not an employee handbook or policy manual designed to run the day-to-day operations of your nonprofit organization. For example, employee absences, vacation policies, and no-smoking policies have no place in an organization's bylaws.
10 steps for writing bylaws for an association Research. Form a committee. Create the structure. Outline your organization's key roles and responsibilities. Establish your meeting rules. Define your membership. Address finances. Outline the amendment process.