[NFBMO] Some thoughts as we think about our constitution, bylaws, and general policy considerations

[Gary Wunder]

Dear Friends,

I'm getting ready for the convention. How about you?

 

I've been thinking lately about our governing documents-specifically, the
constitution and bylaws-and I wanted to share a few thoughts for your
consideration.

It's clear that every organization needs a solid foundation. Some things
must be written down, and rightly so. We need to ensure that our structure
is fair, that members are treated equitably, and that decisions are made in
a transparent and consistent way. These protections form the backbone of our
work and help us stay true to our mission.

But at the same time, I wonder if we sometimes go too far in trying to
prepare for every possible challenge by locking it all into the bylaws. Each
time we add a new restriction or prohibition-"the organization shall not" or
"members shall not"-we limit the range of tools available to us, sometimes
without knowing what future circumstances will require.

There is value in standards, but there is also value in flexibility. We have
to trust that we, in the present, can respond to situations as they arise.
And just as important, we must trust those who come after us to do the same.
If we burden the future with too many rules crafted in the past, we risk
tying their hands and preventing the kind of creative problem-solving that
every generation needs.

So I encourage us to consider balance. Let us preserve the essential
principles that guide us, but also allow room for judgment, for growth, and
for the wisdom of those who will follow in our footsteps. After all, the
strength of our organization has never been in our paperwork-it's been in
our people.

Warmly,

Gary

 

 

Gary Wunder

gwunder at earthlink.net

 

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