ELECTRONIC STORAGE OF SQUADRON & DISTRICT BYLAWS

Overview

In an effort to comply with the guidelines of the strategic planning initiative, and to simplify the process of accessing and amending Squadron and District bylaws, the Committee on Rules has implemented a new system whereby an approved copy of all Squadron and District Bylaws will be maintained, in electronic format, on the USPS Web Server for viewing or downloading.

With this system in place, the Squadron/District, the Committee on Rules, and USPS headquarters personnel can obtain the latest copy of your bylaws whenever necessary. This will also ensure that everyone gets the latest version of those bylaws.

Under the current system it is not uncommon for different versions of the bylaws to be in circulation at the same time. This can create confusion at meetings and problems when it comes time to amend your bylaws.

The implementation of this system has begun and we encourage all squadrons and districts to take advantage of this new system.

Security Issues

As a 501(c)(3) corporation, public access to bylaws must be provided when requested. Having your bylaws available through the USPS web site will offer the squadron/district a resource for satisfying any request of this type.

The security issue regards who has the authority to change and upload these bylaws on the server. This is limited exclusively to the seven current elected members of the National Committee on Rules and will be controlled by account number and password. These codes are changed whenever the make up of the committee changes.

Viewing & Downloading Bylaws

Whenever a copy of the squadron/district bylaws are needed, it may be obtained by logging onto the Committee on Rules web site at www.usps.org/national/rules/and following the links to your squadron/district bylaws. This will access the latest copy of your bylaws in a zip compressed file which can be either viewed or downloaded.

Benefits to the Squadron & District

Aside from the convience of providing your members with 24/7 access to the latest copy of your bylaws, it can also save your squadron the cost associated with printing and mailing new copies of the bylaws every time that they are amended. The Committee on Rules hopes that this will encourage all squadrons and districts to keep their bylaws updated whenever changes to National Bylaws call for a change at the District and Squadron level.

How to get Started

If your squadron bylaws are already in electronic format, have your Rules Committee Chairman or secretary e-mail a copy of them to the appropriate member of the National Committee on Rules . Your bylaws can then be filed on the web server.

If they are not currently in electronic format, this would be a great time to begin the process of getting them converted and updated at the same time. Start by downloading either the squadron or district model bylaws from this web site. This will ensure that your bylaws are up to date and fully comply with the National Bylaws.

If you require modifications or need additional sections, you may make them to the model. In either case, follow the procedures outlined on the web site or in the Operations Manual. In addition, be careful to observe any requirement stipulated in your own current bylaws with regards to the procedures for notification and approval.

If you have any questions about the procedures for updating bylaws contact the member of the committee on rules assigned to either your district or squadron.