nonprofit board bylaws
nonprofit business writing of bylaws
purpose
A nonprofit Board of Directors wanted to modernize and simplify the board structure, making it easier to engage all members despite restrictions on time. The restructuring included revising the organization's Bylaws. This portfolio example shows the updated language to the several sections of the Bylaws (prior to review by an attorney.) (see Section 9: Committees)
I did extensive research on "new" ideas for nonprofit board structure, including contacting several nonprofit Executive Directors from around the country to learn about their process and the effectiveness of their changes.
I also wrote the Bylaws revision, with support from several board members.
result
The board ditched the traditional committee makeup. The new structure included the Executive Committe, the Internal Affairs Commitee (handling things such as budget, program changes, oversight of the Executive Director, etc), and the External Affairs Committee (handling thungs such as fundraising, marketing, networking, events, etc). This reduced the number of committees each member needed to sit on, streamlined communication among the committess, and removed duplication of work. It also made it much easier for the organization to recruit new board members.
writing
updated existing content
design
font and formatting
research / planning
contacted nonprofits across the U.S. about their process; requirements & regulations; examples of similar restructuring efforts
gallery
The deer has economic and spiritual significance in both Choctaw and Scottish cultures. It is the deer that provides sustenance, clothing, and a means of trade. For the Choctaw, the deer also signifies compassion. And both cultures see the deer as a reminder of cyclical patterns, regeneration, resilience, restoration, healing, growth, and guidance.
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And though both cultures hold these ideas of the deer, I chose the name Deer Heart specifically because the Choctaw people embody these ideas. They walked the Trail of Tears knowing they would face hardship and death but they had a vision of health, balance, and rejuvenation for the Choctaw people. They show us what is possible when you are resilient through dark times and develop an ability to quickly adapt to change. A mere 4,000 people survived the walk. But the Trail of Tears did not destroy them. It made them more compassionate and giving. And now they are the third largest tribe in the United States, with over 200,000 enrollees located around the world. Their resilience and adaptability, combined with compassion and love of fellow man, allowed the Choctaw Nation to thrive despite the great adversity they faced.
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I try to follow in my ancestors' footsteps by having my work begin from a place of compassion. My intent is to help small business owners find resiliency and develop strategy that allows them to adapt to change. I want to help members of my community overcome the struggles they face, restore their passion for their work, and develop the tools they need to not just survive dark times, but come out of it stronger.