http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:16:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I love getting questions from readers.  Helps me to know what problems you're facing. AND gives me something to poke around more about.  Here's a question I got today: I was looking for an example on how one includes in bylaws a ‘vote by proxy' or ‘voting by email outside of ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2008/electronic-voting-proxy/ I'm really excited to say that finally finally finally, the workbook that goes with my process for writing or rewriting the bylaws of your nonprofit organization is nearing completion. I've had one round with the editor and preparing for the next one. Layout is figured out but can't be complete obviously until ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2008/fix-my-bylaws-book-update/ So you go to the office supply store to buy paper for your nonprofit organization. You've heard that means you don't have to pay sales tax.  The clerk asks for a copy of your letter from the IRS. And you're stymied.  Your organization doesn't make any money so it's nonprofit, ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2008/tax-exempt-status-vs-just-not-making-money/ I love getting emails from readers. They so often point me in a new direction for posts! Here’s a clip of a note I received this morning: Most of our all-volunteer board are content to move fairly casually through the business of operating this organization … One of these board members, however, ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2008/bylaws-all-in-or-not/ Organizations often have problems deciding on how to choose the right candidates when there are more than enough people for positions that require more than one person to fill them. OIPB organization has to elect three members at large to the board. But they have five people on the slate. It ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2007/cumulative-or-preference-voting/ Like many new groups, the imaginary nonprofit Organization for the Illustration of Bylaws Problems (OIPB) started out writing their original document in a hurry so they could incorporate. They figured that after the settling of the initial whirlwind of activity they “go back and change them later.” One member ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2007/are-your-board-members-in-good-standing/ I thought I’d invent an organization to illustrate some problems I come across working with organizations and their bylaws. That way I’m not giving away any trade secrets or breaking any confidences. I also don’t have to explain anything about the organization. So please understand, just like in fiction and ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2007/the-imaninary-organization-for-the-illustration-of-bylaws-problems/ Fila, the sports apparel company, has been loosing market share for a long time. They had some trouble with their former CEO, Jonathan Epstein, back in 2004. Very old news, you say. The company was bought in January 2007 by Fila Korea Ltd, the former Korean licensee. More ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2007/asking-for-advice-from-old-board-members/ While your bylaws may stipulate something else, in fact, according to Roberts Rules of Order, ex officio members of the board have the full collection of rights and privileges as do any other member of the board. Ex officio does not mean “not quite official.” It translates from Latin as ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2006/ex-officio-does-not-mean-not-quite-official/ The main thing about bylaws is that they're like the rules of your game. If you make them up before you start playing, everyone knows what they are. But if you start changing them mid way into the season, a lot of players can get angry. When an organization is new, ... http://www.fixmybylaws.com/blog/2006/what-to-do-about-a-board-member-who-doesnt-do-her-job/