Writing the Preamble, Name, and Purpose

1.

1
Write the preamble. Begin your constitution with a preamble. The preamble should
introduce the constitution in a few sentences. It should also state the reasons and
purpose for which the organization is being formed.[1]
2.
 2
Write the name of the organization. After the preamble, write Article 1: Name.
This article should provide the name of your organization.[2]
Section 1 of Article 1 may state, for example: The name of this organization shall be
(insert full name), hereafter referred to as (insert a shortened name).[3] The
shortened name may also be an acronym, and if you use an acronym, this article
may say, after stating the full name of the organization, "This organization will use
the name or its acronym (enter acronym) in all publicity materials and
correspondence."[4]
Section 2 of Article 2 may state, for example: The officers of (enter shortened name
or acronym) shall make up the Executive Board of (enter shortened name or
acronym), hereafter referred to as the Board.[5]
3.
 3
Write the purpose of the organization and of the executive board. This article
should be Article 2 of your constitution. Write Article 2: Purpose.
Section 1 of Article 2 should provide the purpose of the organization. You can write,
for example: The purpose of this organization shall be (enter in a few sentences the
purpose of the organization).[6]
Section 2 of Article 2 should provide the purpose of the executive board. You can
write, for example: The Board shall (enter purpose of the executive board). [7]

2
Part

Writing the Rules on Membership, Meetings, and Officers

1.
 1
Provide rules on membership. Article 3 of your constitution should provide the
rules on membership of the organization. This article should provide the specific
requirements of membership, the rights and responsibilities of members, and the
grounds for revocation of membership.[8]
Section 1 of Article 3 can say, for example: The general body of the organization
must be comprised of at least two-thirds of (enter the group(s) to whom you wish to
extend two-thirds majority membership, such as students within a specific
department). The requirements of membership are (insert requirements).[9]
Section 2 of Article 3 can say, for example: The privileges and responsibilities of
membership are (enter a list of rights and responsibilities).[10]
Section 3 of Article 3 can say, for example: Membership may be revoked (by whom
and by what procedure) due to (list criteria). You can also use this section of Article
 3 to note any restrictions on membership of specific group(s) of people. Note,
however, that in the case of university organizations, it is generally against the rules
to exclude people from joining your organization on the basis of sex, sexual
orientation, race, religion, or disability.[11] This may also be true of non-university
organizations, and it is in your best interest not to include in your constitution
arbitrary rules that exclude certain groups from joining your organization for no
legitimate reason.
To make clear your nondiscrimination policy, you may write, for example,
"Membership shall be open to all current students, faculty, and staff of (enter name
of university), regardless of age, creed, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, socioeconomic status, disability, national origin, or status as a veteran. This
list is not exhaustive."[12]
2.
 2
Provide rules on meetings and procedures. Article 4 of your constitution should
provide the rules on meetings and procedures for your organization.
Section 1 of Article 4 can state the frequency of meetings and can designate the
party who has the right to call meetings.
Section 2 of this article can indicate how policy decisions will be made and how
formal voting will take place for the approval of those decisions.[13] You can write, for
example, "A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum to transact any business.
A majority of those voting shall constitute an affirmative vote of the Board. Each
Officer shall be entitled to one vote and the vote of the majority of the Board at any
meeting at which there is a quorum shall be sufficient to transact business."[14]
3.
 3
Provide the rules on holding office. Article 5 of your constitution should provide for
how officers will be nominated and elected and the eligibility criteria for holding office.
This article should also list the duties of officers, the length of their terms, and any
restrictions on membership.[15]
Section 1 of Article 5 can say, for example: The organization shall have the
following officers followed by a list of officer titles. This section should also
indicate the methods of nomination and election of these offices and who is eligible
to hold these offices.[16]
Section 2 of Article 5 can say, for example: The duties of these officers shall be (list
duties).[17]
Section 3 of Article 5 should state the lengths of terms that the officers can hold and
any term limits.[18]
Section 4 of Article 5 should state the group from which the president and treasurer
of the organization may be chosen. You can write, for example: Only members who
are undergraduate students in the College of Engineering may hold the position of
president or treasurer.[19] This section should also state that no member can be
president and treasurer at the same time.[20]

3
Part

Writing the Rules on Elections, Committees, and By-Laws

1.
 1
Write the rules on elections, appointments, and removal of officers. Article 6 of
your constitution should provide the rules on elections, appointment procedures, and
removal of members. This article should also provide the rules on interim
appointments or elections in the case of a mid-term vacancy.[21]
Section 1 of Article 6 can say, for example: Organizational elections must take place
at least once per year.[22] This section should also provide the general rules on
elections, whereas more specific election rules can be written in the organizations
bylaws.[23] The general rules on elections may include, for example, rules on voting
procedure. You can write, for example: "The winners of the elections for
representatives shall be determined by plurality vote. No student, however, shall be
elected as class representative unless he or she receives the vote of ten percent
(10%) of the class from which he or she was elected."[24]
 Section 2 of Article 6 should provide the general appointment procedures for
appointing officers, whereas more specific appointment procedures can be written in
the bylaws.[25]
Section 3 of Article 6 can say, for example: The members of the Board may be
impeached and removed (enter grounds for impeachment and removal and enter
impeachment and removal procedures).[26]
Section 4 of Article 6 can say, for example: In the event of a mid-term vacancy of an
elected officer followed by the procedure for electing an interim or permanent
replacement officer.[27]
2.

2
Write the rules on committees. Article 7 of your constitution should provide the
names of committees, the duties of each committee, the rules on selection and
 removal of committee members, and the procedures for formation and dissolution of
committees.[28]
Section 1 of Article 7 can say, for example: The standing committees of this
organization shall be followed by a list of all standing committees.[29] Note: a
standing committee is a permanent committee whose purpose is to consider all
matters that relate to a particular subject.[30]
Section 2 of Article 7 can say, for example: The duties of each of these standing
committees shall be followed by a list of the duties.[31]
Section 3 of Article 7 should provide the rules on how committee members will be
selected and removed.[32]
Section 4 of Article 7 can say, for example: Additional committees may be formed
and dissolved by the organization followed by the procedures for adding and
removing committees.[33]
3.
 3
Provide for the creation of bylaws. Article 8 of your constitution should provide the
rules on how the organizations and executive boards bylaws will be created and
amended and who has the power to do so.[34] Note: Bylaws are rules that an
organization adopts to govern its internal operations and its dealings with
others.[35] These rules are intended to complement the constitution. Bylaws can be
detailed rules that cannot be covered in detail in the constitution itself.
Section 1 of Article 8 can say, for example: Bylaws of the organization shall be
established and amended by followed by the procedures for creating and
amending the organizations bylaws.[36]
Section 2 of Article 8 can say, for example: Bylaws of the Board shall be established
and amended by followed by the procedures for amending and creating bylaws of
the executive board.[37]
Bylaws should not contradict anything in the Constitution. Generally, bylaws contain
detailed provisions on such topics as membership, dues, duties of officers, the Board,
committees, order of business, amendment procedures, and other specific policies
and procedures necessary for the organization or its operation.[38]

4
Part

Writing the Rules on Amendments, Ratification, and

Intrepretation
1.
 1
Write how the constitution can be amended. Article 9 of your constitution should
provide the rules on amendments to the constitution. This article should state how
and by whom amendments can be proposed and what percentage of vote is required
for the amendment to be adopted. A common example is two-thirds of the voting
membership.[39] This article may state, for example, "Amendments to the Constitution
may be proposed by two-thirds (23) vote of the Student Council or a petition signed
by fifty (50) currently enrolled students."[40]
2.
 2
Write how the proposed constitution shall be ratified. Article 10 of your
constitution should provide for how the constitution you are proposing shall be
ratified. This article can say, for example: This constitution shall be established by a
vote of a (insert fraction) majority of the membership of the organization. [41] A
recommended fraction for ratification is a 3/4ths majority.[42]
3.
 3
Write how questions concerning the interpretation of the constitution shall be
decided. You can write, in Article 11, for example: "Questions concerning the
interpretation of this document shall be decided by the Board."[43]

Community Q&A
What's the importance of amendments?
wikiHow Contributor

People and their beliefs change over time, and your organization will need to change
with them in order to keep them happy. An amendment will allow you to make
adjustments to your constitution to suit the needs of your people.
Not Helpful 4 Helpful 27
 How would I write a constitution for an imaginary kingdom ruled by a king
(monarchy)?
wikiHow Contributor

Following the steps mentioned above should give you the rough outline but in
addition, think about how the sovereign (king) governs. Is he bound by certain
requirements? Is it a constitutional monarchy, like the UK? You should think about
how much power the King is entitled to, for instance, if there is a Parliament, is the
king allowed to overrule any laws passed? You would also likely begin with
something like "The Kingdom of (insert) proclaims its establishment as a sovereign
country, with the King as the sovereign...etc."
Not Helpful 5 Helpful 15

How do I write a constitution for a school?

wikiHow Contributor

Write it the same way you would write a normal constitution, and just add the steps
listed in the article.
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3

How do I write up an amendment? Do I change the original constitution or add

it on the bottom?
wikiHow Contributor

Add it to the bottom.

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7

Must I state the number of members in the constitution?

wikiHow Contributor

Only if it is limited to a certain number of members, otherwise no, you do not need to
state the number of members.
Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2

How do I create a business constitution?

wikiHow Contributor

You will have to bring all your employees together and follow the steps above. If you
wish to change your constitution, you will have to hold a referendum where people
vote to agree or disagree with the change.
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

Unanswered Questions

How can I make rules and regulations to guard a meeting?

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How do I write the purpose of the organization?

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How do I draw up a constitution?

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What are the roles of vice president of a constitution of an association?

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How can I make a rule and regulation to guard meeting please or make
constitution for members of the meeting?
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Tips
The language contained in the constitutions and bylaws of university organizations is
usually formal. Examples of a constitution and bylaws of a university organization are
available here. These examples should help you determine what type of language
you should use for your own constitution and bylaws.