Bylaws define the make-up, governance, rights and responsibilities of a given organization and it’s members. They also define specific rules, which may be unique to an organization, which cannot be suspended, but must be adhered to.

Bylaws must be legislatively compliant with the laws governing the organization.

When a parliamentary authority has been adopted, such as the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, the parliamentary authority provides clear definition of many of the rules of order and procedures that the organization does not have to try and recreate in the bylaws, except for those specific cases where there is a variance or when an organization does not want the rule to be able to be suspended.

Parliamentarians assist the organization in drafting and interpreting bylaws, specific to the needs of the organization. Working with the organization’s legal council, the parliamentarian will ensure that the bylaws are legislatively compliant.