attorney advice when updating bylaws

by Amber Considine I 7 min read

Seek legal advice Before making a change to your nonprofit organization’s bylaws, consult a qualified attorney early in your process and check in periodically. A legal adviser will ensure your bylaws are consistent and written to the letter of the law.

Full Answer

How do I update my nonprofit’s bylaws?

Oct 21, 2014 · It is a common misconception that all Bylaws are alike and that there is little need to update them. Updating Bylaws is an opportunity to make changes that will make corporate governance run more smoothly. When we update Bylaws that were drafted by the original developer of a community, we typically delete cumulative voting because it can ...

Why should you review your bylaws?

Jan 27, 2013 · It is legal for you to change your own bylaws as you see fit, of course - it's just that, if something goes wrong, the consequences of those changes will fall on your association and the members who made the changes rather than on an attorney or firm that you hired to do it for you. ... No information you obtain from this answer is legal advice ...

When should the board go over the bylaws?

Nov 10, 2020 · Don't Make Bylaws That Are Overly Detailed. Bylaws should allow for some flexibility. For example, it is better to say that board meetings will be held monthly, rather than to specify they are held the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. You don't want to have to amend the bylaws to switch to a different day or time. Also, too much detail can lead to …

How can you adapt your organization’s bylaws to change?

should seek legal advice, to determine the requirements for a particular situation. The corporation will still be able to amend their bylaws after the one-year “window” closes, but after December 31, 2020 all amendments will require a special resolution. If a corporation is using default bylaws When the amended Act and regulations come into

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How do you amend bylaws?

Steps to Amend Articles and BylawsPrepare the amendment. Make sure you indicate which section of the articles or bylaws will be changing.Hold a meeting of the board of directors. ... Hold a vote. ... Keep minutes. ... Distribute notices. ... Hold the shareholder meeting. ... Keep minutes. ... File the amended document.

What is a bylaw revision?

A bylaw revision is a major overhaul of the bylaws. It is done when there are too many changes to be made through the amending process. Organizations should be constantly reviewing their bylaws to see if it meets their current needs.

How do I change my bylaw in Ontario?

By-law amendments requiring special resolutions of the membersStep 1 – Initiate a change to a special by-law by a member proposal or by the board of directors.Step 2 – Members approve the change (or they amend it and then confirm it) by special resolution.More items...

How often should nonprofit bylaws be reviewed?

While it is appropriate to review an organization's bylaws regularly (at least every 3-5 years or whenever there is a known change in the law that might affect the governance of the organization), certain provisions that need to be modified more often may belong in a separate policy document.Jan 26, 2015

Who has the right to amend the bylaws?

The Board of Directors shall have the power to alter, amend or repeal these bylaws or adopt new bylaws, but any bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors may be altered, amended or repealed, and new bylaws adopted, by the shareholders.

Can by laws be changed?

Bylaws may be amended according to the procedures and voting requirements contained within the bylaws. When the bylaws do not contain provisions for their amendment, they may be amended by approval of a majority of the members at a meeting where quorum is present.

How do you challenge a bylaw in Ontario?

What should you do if you're charged under the bylaw?First, you should resist.Write a letter to the city saying you don't accept the charges. That you'll contest them in court. Refer them to Justice Fairgrave and the Bell decision that clearly outlines the unconstitutionality of a bylaw like ours.Feb 22, 2021

How do I change my condo bylaws in Ontario?

How can rules be amended? Rules can be passed, amended, or repealed by the condo board of directors (the “condo board”) but require consent from the owners. First, a new rule, amendment to a rule or repeal to an existing rule will be approved by the board of directors at a board meeting.

What percentage of condo owners are needed to change a bylaw Ontario?

The changes cannot be carried out by the passage of a bylaw. The amendments to the declaration required votes of the unit owners at an owners' meeting for that purpose. The owners of at least 80 per cent of the units must vote in favour of the change to the description of the property.Dec 26, 2019

Who should not serve on a board of directors?

Without further ado, here are five Board No-Nos.Getting paid. ... Going rogue. ... Being on a board with a family member. ... Directing staff or volunteers below the executive director. ... Playing politics. ... Thinking everything is fine and nothing needs to change.Mar 31, 2015

How often should nonprofit boards meet?

How often does your board meet? If you meet monthly, you should be able to take care of the business in an hour or two. If you meet only a few times a year, you may need to organize a meeting that lasts a full day. What is the purpose of the meeting?Dec 30, 2019

How many board members should a nonprofit have?

three board membersNonprofits must have at least three board members when they form. Many boards have more than the minimum three. Tuple can't tell you who should be on your board, but can help you understand and navigate important issues, such as: Board members' legal duties to the organization.

When to Update Your Bylaws

  • Your board of directorsshould regularly review the bylaws to ensure they are following the procedures outlined in the document, and to make updates as necessary. At the minimum, the board should go over the bylaws whenever your organization undergoes a major change, such as expanding to a new state or merging with another organization. It is also good practice to revie…
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Review Your State's Laws

  • Before you amend your bylaws, review your state's nonprofit laws to ensure the updates comply. For instance, before changing the number of directors, check your state's laws regarding the minimum number of directors. Similarly, your state's nonprofit laws might dictate the minimum quorum requirements, required offices (such as president or secretary), or prohibit the same per…
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Draft The Amendment

  • Once you confirm that the change complies with state laws, you can draft the amendment. Sometimes the process is as simple as adding a new provision to the bylaws, while other changes can affect several provisions and will require you to make updates throughout your bylaws. Be sure to review the entire document to ensure that the language is consistent. If you have any qu…
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Review and Follow Procedures For Updates

  • Review your bylaws to determine the process for amendment, and confirm that your procedures comply with state law. Some of the rules you should check include: 1. the number of director votes you need to pass the amendment (majority or unanimous) 2. the number of member votes you need (for membership nonprofits) 3. whether directors or members must receive notice of t…
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Submit Amendments to Government Agencies

  • Depending on the amendment and your state's laws, you might need to update state agencies and the IRS. In many states, you can report your changes in your annual filing, such as your annual report. In other states, you must file a certificate of change or an amendment to your formation documents (such as your articles of incorporation). Check with your Secretary of State to deter…
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