Can bylaws be corrected without formal amendment?

Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: Is it possible to correct typos and spelling errors to bylaws without an amendment? Would the answer also apply to clarifying passages? An example would be to change the spelling of "to" from "tot." An example of clarification would be to add the word "vote" after the word "majority." - D.C., Jun. 12, 1999

A: Your example emphasizes the need for review and critical editing of bylaws and their amendments before adoption. Your organization's bylaws - even typos and grammatical errors - may be corrected only by the process described in your bylaws. This is for your organization's protection.

Until your bylaws are corrected, it may be helpful to become familiar with RONR pp. 581-584, which deal with interpretation of bylaws - especially item #1, "Each society decides for itself the meaning of its bylaws." This does not mean that if your bylaws say "one" then your organization can interpret this as "two." But it does address ambiguities.

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