When do bylaws amendments go into effect?

Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: At the Oct. 1998 meeting, the bylaws were amended by a 24 to 6 vote. All members had been notified by mail at least three weeks in advance. At the Nov. 1998 meeting, the new bylaws had been in effect 27 days and someone questioned whether they were in effect yet because thirty days hadn't passed. What relevance do the 30 days have?

The nominations for new officers were opened and after nominations were made, closed. The one new section of the bylaws refers to who can vote at the election in December of each year. It states that a member must have attended two meetings prior to the election, not counting the November and December meetings. If this new section were to apply for the December 1998 election, no one would know who could vote and who couldn't, because no official attendance record had been kept during 1998 from Jan. through Oct. What would be the procedure according to Robert's Rules of Order? - D.E.Y., Nov. 20, 1998

A: There is no thirty day automatic grace period. Unless there is a proviso attached, the amendment goes into effect immediately. (RONR p. 590.)

Apparently your new bylaws section does not state how it is to be determined who has attended two previous meetings. If this is so, you may simply rely on your members' honor.

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