Sample non-profit constitution and bylaws

Constitution of [Charitable Organization Name]

Article 1: Name

The name of the organization shall be [Charitable Organization Name], hereinafter referred to as “the Organization.”

Article 2: Purpose

The purpose of the Organization shall be to [state the mission and objectives of the organization].

Article 3: Membership

1. Eligibility: Membership is open to [describe eligibility criteria].
2. Types of Membership: The Organization shall have the following types of membership: [list types, e.g., active, honorary, etc.].
3. Rights and Responsibilities: Members shall have the following rights and responsibilities: [detail rights and responsibilities].

Article 4: Governance

1. Board of Directors: The Organization shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of [number] members.
2. Officers: The officers of the Organization shall be [list officers, e.g., President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer].
3. Elections: Elections for the Board of Directors and officers shall be held [frequency and process for elections].
4. Terms of Office: The terms of office for Board members and officers shall be [length of terms].

Article 5: Meetings

1. Annual General Meeting: An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held [time and place].
2. Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by [who can call special meetings].
3. Quorum: The quorum for meetings shall be [number or percentage of members required].

Article 6: Committees

The Organization may establish committees as necessary to carry out its objectives. Committees shall be [describe structure and function of committees].

Article 7: Finances

1. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the Organization shall be [start and end dates].
2. Budget: The budget shall be prepared annually by [who prepares the budget] and approved by the Board of Directors.
3. Audits: The Organization’s financial records shall be audited [frequency] by [who conducts audits].

Article 8: Amendments

This Constitution may be amended by a [majority or other required vote] vote of the members present at the AGM or a special meeting called for this purpose, provided that the proposed amendments have been distributed to the members at least [time period] prior to the meeting.

Article 9: Dissolution

In the event of dissolution, the assets of the Organization shall be distributed to [name of another charitable organization or purpose in line with the Organization’s mission].

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Bylaws of [Charitable Organization Name]

Article 1: Membership Dues

1. Dues: Annual membership dues shall be [amount].
2. Payment: Dues are payable by [date] each year.

Article 2: Duties of Officers

1. President: The President shall [list duties].
2. Vice-President: The Vice-President shall [list duties].
3. Secretary: The Secretary shall [list duties].
4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall [list duties].

Article 3: Meetings

1. Notice of Meetings: Notice of meetings shall be given [how and when notice is given].
2. Order of Business: The order of business at meetings shall be [list order of business].

Article 4: Committees

1. Standing Committees: The Organization shall have the following standing committees: [list committees].
2. Ad Hoc Committees: Ad hoc committees may be established as needed by [who can establish ad hoc committees].

Article 5: Financial Management

1. Bank Accounts: The Organization’s funds shall be kept in [name of bank] and managed by [who manages the bank accounts].
2. Expenditures: Expenditures over [amount] must be approved by [who approves large expenditures].

Article 6: Records and Reports

1. Minutes: The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings.
2. Financial Reports: The Treasurer shall present a financial report at each meeting and an annual report at the AGM.

Article 7: Conflict of Interest

All Board members and officers shall disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from decisions where a conflict exists.

Article 8: Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by a [majority or other required vote] vote of the Board of Directors, provided that notice of the proposed amendments has been given at least [time period] prior to the meeting.

 

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