The Constitution & Bylaws program informs and educates members of the American Legion Auxiliary on the importance and power of properly written, reviewed, and updated documents, policies, and procedures at all levels. Constitution & Bylaws are the basis for governance of your department, district, county, and Unit. Preparing and adhering to the updated Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules will ensure a more successful organizational process and provide the structures to follow at our organization levels.

Key Program Statements  

• The Constitution & Bylaws program informs and educates members of the American Legion Auxiliary on the importance and power of having properly written, regularly reviewed, and updated governing documents at all levels of the organization.
• Governing documents include your articles of incorporation (if incorporated), constitution, bylaws, standing rules, and policies.
• These fundamental rules of the organization state how the membership agrees to govern itself, how it will choose its leaders, hold its meetings, and the policies of the administration of the organization.
• Knowing the non-profit laws in your state provides the essential foundation for your governing documents at the department, district, county, and unit level.
• Having governing documents is essential to ensure operations can continue during emergencies.
• Keeping your governing documents up to date and making them available to all members are key to a healthy organization that functions as a team.
• Remember that department, district, county, and unit constitutions, bylaws, and standing rules shall not conflict with national governing documents.
• When the national constitution, bylaws, and standing rules change, departments, districts, counties, and units will automatically amend their governing documents to reflect the National changes.
• Contact your Department Constitution & Bylaws Chairman for assistance. The National Association of Parliamentarians is a valuable resource for finding a professional registered parliamentarian near you.

Governance Reviews for 2026-2027  

• Completed annual review of C&B and Standing Rules, ensure membership eligibility is updated.
• C&B must contain a section on disciplining of board members, a section on voting, including quorums, a section on contract signing, a conflict of interest, and a disclosure form
• Leadership should review to ensure governing documents comply with the non-profit state statutes.

Reporting:

Mid-Year report due December 1, 2026, with Year-End Report due April 15, 2027

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE

Chair: Sallie Rossman,PDP
Co-Chair: Patricia Upshaw, PDP
Email Address: [email protected]

________________________________________________________