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Constitution & Bylaws
Chairman: Kim Post
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Links:
https://www.alaforveterans.org (National website)
Under the Constitution & Bylaws Committee page, you will also find Basic Parliamentary Procedures, Unit Guide Book, and other resources that are valuable.
https://alactdept.weebly.com (Department website)
https://www.alaforveterans.org (National website)
Under the Constitution & Bylaws Committee page, you will also find Basic Parliamentary Procedures, Unit Guide Book, and other resources that are valuable.
https://alactdept.weebly.com (Department website)
2025-2026
The National Organization thought that units always voted on their membership as units are in charge of their membership. Unfortunately, many units do not, so the CBL committee has added to their Constitution that units MUST vote on their membership. That will be coming up as an amendment to the Connecticut Constitution as well.
Units can specify certain officers to approve membership applications as long as the unit with a quorum has voted and approved on who can approve applications. Example would be that the Secretary and Unit membership Chair and or the Unit President can approve membership applications as long as it is listed in your unit bylaws. It could be two members or a group of members but must be approved at a unit meeting.
Another item brought up at our Constitution and By-Laws National Zoom meeting was quorum. You have met a quorum at your meeting with just the number needed to meet that quorum. If one member leaves the room, you have lost your quorum and cannot continue your meeting (of course, you can wait until she returns).
Please feel free to email me with any questions you might have and I will get back to you as soon as possible with answers.
Units can specify certain officers to approve membership applications as long as the unit with a quorum has voted and approved on who can approve applications. Example would be that the Secretary and Unit membership Chair and or the Unit President can approve membership applications as long as it is listed in your unit bylaws. It could be two members or a group of members but must be approved at a unit meeting.
Another item brought up at our Constitution and By-Laws National Zoom meeting was quorum. You have met a quorum at your meeting with just the number needed to meet that quorum. If one member leaves the room, you have lost your quorum and cannot continue your meeting (of course, you can wait until she returns).
Please feel free to email me with any questions you might have and I will get back to you as soon as possible with answers.
2024-2025
Bylaws contain the basic rules of the organization and are the fundamental rules of an organization that outline the authority of committees, voting rights and membership termination procedures. Bylaws cannot be suspended.
Standing rules relate to the details of the administration of the organization that outlines the procedures and operating policies. Standing rules are adopted individually when needed and can be amended or rescinded. They are adopted to supplement and interpret the bylaws. Standing
rules can be suspended by a majority vote for the duration of the session but not for longer.
What to do if a copy of your Constitution and Bylaws cannot be found among the Unit Members? Contact the department office to see if there is a copy on file (a revised copy should be sent to the department as well as to all your members). Go to the unit handbook (pg. 100 in
the 2024 version online) for a sample. Once adopted by a 2/3 vote of your members, your unit will have to follow the procedures stated. Just remember that your unit’s constitution and bylaws cannot be in conflict with the Department or National Constitution & Bylaws.
The Department Committee is getting ready to review the Department Constitution & Bylaws, so if any member has suggested changes or updates, please let me know ASAP as any suggested changes or updates must be out to the units 60 days prior to the Department Convention.
American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Connecticut
Constitution, Bylaws and Standing Rules
What is the program and why do we have it?
The Constitution & Bylaws (C&B) program is a Standing Committee that assists and educates American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) members about the importance and power of properly written, reviewed, and updated documents, policies, and procedures at all levels in the Organization. The basis of proper governance begins with your Constitution, Bylaws and in many cases Standing Rules. The preparation and updating of these documents will ensure a successful Unit, District and Department as well as maintain the structure to follow within the Organization.
Why is it so important?
The basis of proper governance begins with your Constitution, Bylaws and in many cases Standing Rules. The preparation and updating of these documents will ensure a successful Unit, District and Department as well as maintain the structure to follow within the Organization.
Be careful when updating your governing documents. You should never be in conflict with (have something in your documentation that goes against) the National, Department, District governing documents.
Standing rules relate to the details of the administration of the organization that outlines the procedures and operating policies. Standing rules are adopted individually when needed and can be amended or rescinded. They are adopted to supplement and interpret the bylaws. Standing
rules can be suspended by a majority vote for the duration of the session but not for longer.
What to do if a copy of your Constitution and Bylaws cannot be found among the Unit Members? Contact the department office to see if there is a copy on file (a revised copy should be sent to the department as well as to all your members). Go to the unit handbook (pg. 100 in
the 2024 version online) for a sample. Once adopted by a 2/3 vote of your members, your unit will have to follow the procedures stated. Just remember that your unit’s constitution and bylaws cannot be in conflict with the Department or National Constitution & Bylaws.
The Department Committee is getting ready to review the Department Constitution & Bylaws, so if any member has suggested changes or updates, please let me know ASAP as any suggested changes or updates must be out to the units 60 days prior to the Department Convention.
American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Connecticut
Constitution, Bylaws and Standing Rules
What is the program and why do we have it?
The Constitution & Bylaws (C&B) program is a Standing Committee that assists and educates American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) members about the importance and power of properly written, reviewed, and updated documents, policies, and procedures at all levels in the Organization. The basis of proper governance begins with your Constitution, Bylaws and in many cases Standing Rules. The preparation and updating of these documents will ensure a successful Unit, District and Department as well as maintain the structure to follow within the Organization.
Why is it so important?
The basis of proper governance begins with your Constitution, Bylaws and in many cases Standing Rules. The preparation and updating of these documents will ensure a successful Unit, District and Department as well as maintain the structure to follow within the Organization.
Be careful when updating your governing documents. You should never be in conflict with (have something in your documentation that goes against) the National, Department, District governing documents.
Links:
https://www.alaforveterans.org (National website)
Under the Constitution & Bylaws Committee page, you will also find Basic Parliamentary Procedures, Unit Guide Book, and other resources that are valuable.
https://alactdept.weebly.com (Department website)
https://www.alaforveterans.org (National website)
Under the Constitution & Bylaws Committee page, you will also find Basic Parliamentary Procedures, Unit Guide Book, and other resources that are valuable.
https://alactdept.weebly.com (Department website)
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