Starting an Organization
Table of Contents
- Why Start An Organization?
- Steps To Starting
- Structure Of The Organization
- Constitutions And Bylaws
- Responsibilities Of
Officers In An Organization
- Responsibilities Of Members
Why Start An Organization?
There are two basic reasons for starting an organization:
- a group of people see a need
- their needs are not being met by an existing organization.
The group should consider the following:
- What is the purpose of the organization?
- What will the organization do?
- Who is likely to join?
- Is a new organization really needed, or is there an existing
Steps To Starting
- A founding committee of four to twelve people should be formed.
This committee will initiate action, seek out alternatives and
present firm suggestions on how to proceed. The group may arrange
an open public meeting to see if other people are interested.
- A constitution committee should be established to present proposals
to the founding committee for approval. This is necessary to develop
a structural framework to guarantee the organization's continuity.
The constitution and bylaws provide the means for making the intentions
of the group concrete. It specifies the roles and method of appointment
of the officers, the procedures for decision-making and methods
for achieving the desired objectives.
- Changes to the constitution may be voted in by the membership
and included in the final version by the committee. Once the constitution
has been approved, this short-term committee is disbanded and
its members go on to other activities, e.g., program planning,
- A temporary executive should be appointed. Interested and qualified
people should be actively recruited to be members of the executive.
Usually a temporary executive serves for a three-month term, then
a nine-month term and then is elected annually after that.
Structure Of The Organization
Members are the most important part of the organization. The organization
exists in order to meet the needs of its members. Members are responsible
for selecting the executive and other committee chairpersons. The
strength of the organization depends on how the members' skills
Executive members are elected from the membership (may be appointed)
to guide and help members carry out the objectives. The executive
is usually made up of past-president, president, vice-president(s)
and secretary- treasurer.
Committees may be permanent or short-term depending on their purposes.
A committee should be dissolved when it has achieved its objectives.
Board of Directors is made up of members who advise on policy matters,
guide the day-to-day operations of the organization and act as a
liaison with public.
Constitutions and Bylaws
The constitution of an organization states the purpose of the organization.
It also states the structure and methods of operation of the organization.
Power to create bylaws is usually given in the constitution and
represents a rule book for day-to-day procedures.
Each member of an organization should have access to an up-to-date
copy of the constitution and bylaws.
Constitution Checklist items commonly included:
- Name of the organization
- Objectives of the organization
- Address of the registered office of the organization
- Distribution of powers within the organization
- Criteria for regular membership, including voting eligibility
- Criteria dictating voting powers of delegates or representatives
in multiple level organizations
- Titles, duties and length of terms for officers
- Terms of reference for the board of directors and/or the executive
committee including voting powers
- Delegation of authority
- A process to amend the constitution
- A statement that the organization must not be operated for a
gain by the members (for non-profit organizations)
Bylaws Checklist items commonly included:
- Method for admission of regular members (individual or groups)
- Criteria for any other classes or subdivisions of memberships
such as associate, family or honorary.
- Conditions and procedures for the termination of membership
- Procedures for election and removal of officers, board members,
and chairs of standing committees
- Procedures for election and terms of reference for standing
- Procedures for setting membership dues
- Procedures for calling and conducting annual, regular, special
and telephone meetings
- The number constituting a quorum for general meetings, board
meetings, and committee meetings
- The authority for rules of order
- Methods of voting, including the proportion of votes required
for important decisions
- Conditions for employment and termination of staff and their
status within the organization
- Procedures for amending the bylaws
This involves the granting of a charter, letters patent, or a memorandum
of association by government legislation. Incorporation gives the
organization a legal existence which is separate from that of individual
members. This means that the organization can enter into contracts
with other corporate bodies or individuals and can sue or be sued
in the courts. An organization with substantial financial and professional
responsibilities and which employs staff should seek incorporation
as it offers protection for the public, the membership, the executive
and its staff.
It is wise to obtain legal counsel when applying for incorporation
as the process may be complicated.
A constitution for incorporated organizations should include:
- Regulations for the audit of accounts.
- Regulations for the custody and use of the organization's seal.
- Regulations for the preparation and safe-keeping of the registry
of members, minutes of general, board and committee meetings,
financial reports and other documents.
- A statement of the time and place at which the books and records
of the organization can be inspected by the members.
- The procedures for the execution and certification of contracts,
deeds, bills of exchange and other documents on behalf of the
- A statement indicating whether proxies are permitted.
Officers In An Organization
President or Chairperson
- presides at meetings, maintains order and keeps the meeting
- prepares the agenda and adheres to it by accepting only discussion
on the topic from the floor
- starts and adjourns meetings on time
- knows the rules of meeting procedure (including parliamentary
- is aware of the priority of business items and schedules them
- is prepared to represent the organization
- avoids giving own opinion when in the chair - but is prepared
to summarize and accept the wishes of the meeting
- delegates responsibility and authority
- learns the duties of the President and fulfils that role when
the President is absent
- assists the President whenever possible
- handles all correspondence of the organization as a whole
- keeps a record of the meetings and has them approved at the
- presents a summary of correspondence ( the full correspondence
being on hand for reference)
- is prepared to make recommendations as to actions, through familiarity
with papers, correspondence, etc.
- receives all moneys due and issues receipts when required
- informs the meeting of bills paid, expenses and receipts - especially
identifying large sums
- prepares financial statements where required
Responsibilites of Members
Just as the executive has specific duties and responsibilities,
members have responsibilities to themselves and to their organization.
Members are expected to:
- be on time for meetings. For every minute of delay, multiply
it by the number of people at the meeting to realize the total
time wasted at the meeting
- attend regularly to keep aware of the current business
- become familiar with meeting procedures and follow the rules
- seek ways to move discussion along, e.g., avoid repeating opinions
and examples already given
- understand each motion before voting on it
- be willing to volunteer.
Community Organizations Notes for Community Leaders. Ontario Ministry
of Culture and Recreation, 1976.
Getting People Together. Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture,
Procedures for Meetings and Organizations. Kerr, M. Kay and Hubert
King. Carswell Legal Publications, 1984.