Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/137

§ 49] adopted. This is not always done; some societies adopt only a Constitution, and others only By-Laws. Where both are adopted, the Constitution usually contains only the following:

(1) Name and object of the society.

(2) Qualification of members.

(3) Officers, their election and duties.

(4) Meetings of the society (only including what is essential, leaving details to the By-Laws).

(5) How to amend the Constitution.

These can be arranged in five articles, each article being subdivided into sections. The Constitution containing nothing but what is fundamental, it should be made very difficult to amend; usually, previous notice of the amendment is required, and also a two-thirds or three-fourths vote for its adoption [§ 45]. It is better not to require a larger vote than two-thirds; and, where the meetings are frequent, an amendment should not be allowed to be made except at a quarterly or annual meeting, after having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting.

The By-Laws contain all the other standing rules of the society, of such importance that they should be placed out of the power of any one meeting to modify; or they may omit the