DIY Guide to Updating Your Bylaws

Most non-profits could stand to update their incorporation bylaws every once and awhile. However, many boards lack confidence in taking on this task. The legal language involved does not help.

I believe this is not as daunting a project as some might think. To help, I have created a DIY Guide to Updating Your Bylaws. In four pages it covers some of the key content areas of most bylaws. It also suggests an easier process than many boards might consider to get the job done. There is no need to hire a lawyer or a consultant. And, I would hope most would not assign the work to their executive director (if they have one).

My DIY Guide looks at the format and content of bylaws typically in place for non-profits in Nova Scotia. It is certainly relevant in most other jurisdictions. It may not be as useful to non-profits with complicated structures and rules in their bylaws but most strive to keep these fairly basic anyway.

https://www.governinggood.ca/resources/governance-guides/

While I am keen to direct you to this new guide on Governing Good, I should mention that there are number of other resources there, including sample policies, that you may not know about. Many have been recently revised. Some that are not typically found elsewhere include:

• Role of the Board Policy
• In Camera Board Sessions
• Public Policy Advocacy
• Board Member Involvement as Volunteers
• Board Compliance Report/Checklist

https://www.governinggood.ca/resources/sample-policies/

I hope you will check these out. Comments on the idea of, or the DIY Guide itself, are most welcome.