The bylaw committee's intent by the phrase "basic fire fighting course" was the "Incident & Safety Training course," which is 6 1/2 hours. Under the law for fire companies, the wording "basic fire fighting course" is an 88 hour course.

Is there any way to clarify what the bylaw committee meant without going through the procedure of amending the bylaws, which takes Previous Notice to all members and then being voted on at three meetings? - D.E.Y., Dec. 2, 1998

A: The bylaws need to be changed through whatever procedure your bylaws prescribe. That should probably start ASAP with drafting the amendment and with P.N.

The only possibility of not having to follow them literally for now is if they are ambiguous; i.e., if they are unclear or admit more than one interpretation or meaning. If they are ambiguous, they should be interpreted so that they do not conflict with other bylaws, and so they reflect the intent of your company when the bylaw was adopted, however that can be determined. Once that is determined, the interpretation can be temporarily adopted with a majority vote. (RONR p. 581.)