10 Ways How Reviewing By-laws Can Help Non-Profits Scale Up

Have you been in a situation where no matter what you do, your non-profit does not scale up? May be it is time to go back to the roots. Every organisation is built on a set of objectives and by-laws that govern its entire system.

Whether you are board member, team lead, co-ordinator, whatever post you hold, this article will add value to your current performance. With this note, I bring to you the 10 ways how reviewing by-laws can help your non-profits scale up.

10 Ways How Reviewing By-laws Can Help Non-Profits Scale Up

From understanding hierarchy to making decisions that align with purpose reviewing by-laws can bring in multiple benefits.

1. Reviewing by-laws can help non-profits better understand their legal responsibilities and obligations.

Non-profits are bound by laws according to their geographical presence. The laws differ from state to state and to country. Reviewing them provides an opportunity to the board and the staff to understand the legal landscape and responsibilities. By-laws can help protect the organisation from potential legal liabilities.

2. By-laws can help non-profits identify areas where they need to increase their compliance efforts.

It helps each and every member of the organisation to know their roles and responsibilities. When responsibilities are clear foe every individual in the organisation, it naturally creates a free flowing path of implementation.

3. By-laws can provide clear guidance on how decisions need to be made and what authority board members have to make decisions.

Board plays a crucial role in the day to day performance of non-profits as they make the central decisions. Understanding the by-laws can help the board to know how decisions need to be made and makes the line of command easier for everyone to understand and be aware of.

4. By-laws can provide a framework for creating more effective policies and procedures.

Policies explain the laws and provide the parameters/ terms and conditions to guide the board's actions. Procedures explain how to carry out a policy. Reviewing by-laws helps to know if the policies and procedures of the organisation needs to be modified or new ones to be introduced.

5. By-laws can help ensure that non-profits are following the latest industry standards.

One of the key things for any organisation to grow is to stay ahead of the latest industry trends. Reviewing by-laws helps you to answer these questions-

• Is the by-laws relevant to the current changes in the non-profit sector?
• Does it comply with the latest changes in rules and regulations?
• Is it adaptable to the strategy that the organisation has come up for its growth etc..?

6. By-laws can provide a clear set of objectives and goals that can help guide the organisation’s growth.

Having everyone in the same page is very crucial for the organisation's success. Ensuring a clear set of goals and making sure every member is aware of it goes a long way. Reviewing your by-laws help in providing this clear set of goals.

7. By-laws can provide a framework for creating a more efficient organisational structure.

No growth strategy can work successfully if the organisation structure and communication line is not clear. But how do you know when it is a mess? By-laws can help. Reviewing by-laws in meetings can help in understanding the current structure and create a framework for an efficient organisational structure.

8. By-laws can help non-profits create a unified mission statement to guide their growth.

What are we doing, why are we doing and how are we going to do it are three essential questions every non-profit should have an answer too. When it does not have clear answers to it, the process becomes unclear and organisations can lose their focus. By-laws are a result of these answers and re-viewing them help in creating or re-affirming a unified mission statement.

9. By-laws help new board members and individuals understand the way how organisation operate.

While all the above pointers help the existing process, it is good for organisations to introduce a by-laws orientation sessions for new board members or for individuals who joins the organisation. It can be a part of the on-boarding process and helps the new members obtain a fair understanding of the organisation.

10. Reviewing By-laws helps to decide if it should be changed or updated?

The final and most important benefit that reviewing by-laws can provide is to see if the same can be maintained or should the organisation introduce any new laws based on its current operations and future goals. It is also important to remember that changing a by-law with the government body takes time. So organisations need to consider the time factor and work accordingly.

There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it- ?Napoleon Hill

As you get ready for your next meeting remember these pointers and grab a copy of your bylaws for review and further growth. Linking below few articles that help non-profits to review and grow.

https://www.classy.org/blog/nonprofit-bylaws/

If you find this article useful, please share it with your non-profit connects and help them to make a better impact for the communities they work with. Do you know any other benefits of reviewing by-laws? How has it benefitted your organisation?

Please feel free to share in the comments!