AAGT Affiliate Chapter Bylaws
To ensure that your affiliate group has a strong foundation for operation and decision-making, and as part of the process to affiliate with AAGT, your group needs to prepare written bylaws, or goals and procedures. This is a useful way to come to consensus on how to handle planning, commitments, duties, goals, and any unforeseen circumstances that might arise. Having written bylaws is especially important if your group plans to raise money and dispurse it. Group officers need the legal protection of written bylaws that address financial issues for the voting of funds.
AAGT provides sample bylaws to assist groups in formalizing and organizing and which address:
► The statement of purpose,
► The election of an executive board and representatives,
► Definitions of who can be voting members, and
► Methods for revising bylaws as circumstances change.
Download the AAGT Affiliate Chapter Sample ByLaws in PDF format here.
Please note that AAGT only provides these sample bylaws to facilitate formalizing and organizing; AAGT is not setting forth any demands or requirements as to specifics. On the contrary, as long as an affiliate group's bylaws are not inconsistent with those of AAGT, they are acceptable. Any requirements for written goals and procedures is simply sound practice in accordance with IRS regulations that govern non-profit charitable organizations.
The sample bylaws are written for groups that organize within a particular school district by way of example only; of course any group of students, teachers, parents, administrators, counselors, psychologists, or others may organize in any way throughout the state for the benefit of gifted and talented children.
A simple search engine search such as through Google Advanced Search for the phrase "Sample ByLaws" will bring up many other samples to use for ideas as well.
In addition to sample by-laws, AAGT provides your organization with tips for successful meetings and events, networking and communications, and fundraising. If you would like to consult with an AAGT Board member about your organization's specific needs, please feel free to contact the AAGT Affiliate Liaison at AAGT Affiliate Liaison Information.
