Constitution and Bylaws

Student organizations should consider adopting constitutions and bylaws that will help their group in orderly functioning. Constitutions and bylaws articulate the purpose of and spell out the procedures to be followed by student organizations. The documents should be referred to when questions arise, reviewed annually, and utilized in the training of new officers. The needs of a group will change over time and it is important that the constitution and bylaws are kept up to date to reflect the current state of affairs. Make sure that all members have copies of these important documents so that they are informed about the organization and its procedures.

Constitution

A constitution will serve to clarify the organization's purpose, delineate basic structure, and provide the cornerstone for building an effective organization. It will also allow members and potential members to have a better understanding of what the organization is all about and how it functions. Constitutions usually require a two-thirds vote of the membership for adoption.

Bylaws

Bylaws set forth in detail the procedures a group must follow to conduct business in an orderly manner. They provide further definition to the articles of the constitution and can be changed more easily as the needs of the organization change. Bylaws usually only require a simple majority for passage.