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• The chair starts with the first article or section of the proposed bylaws and asks if there is any
debate or amendment to that article or section.
• After any debate and amendments for that article or section are handled, the chair moves on to the
next article or section.
• This process is repeated until all articles or sections have been considered in this manner, at which
point the entire document is open to debate or amendment.
• Finally, when all debate and amendment are completed, a vote is taken on the revision as a whole,
as amended.
If non-seriatim consideration is selected, the entire document is open to debate or amendment. When all
debate and amendment are completed, a vote is taken on the revision, as amended. It is the recommendation
of the Revision Task Force that seriatim consideration be used during the approval process of the final
draft of the proposed International Bylaws.
Voting: As described above, members have the freedom to amend any part of the final draft of the
proposed revision before it is adopted, just as if the bylaws were being considered and adopted for the
first time (Jennings, 2016). Amendments prior to final adoption can be decided by majority vote, i.e., more
than half of the votes cast. However, once the language has been agreed upon, the “final adoption of the
revision as a whole requires a two-thirds vote” (RONR, 57:5). It is important to note that these measures
refer to the votes of members who are present and voting; the measures are not based on the number of
members registered for the convention nor on the total membership of the Society. Specifically, a majority
vote is achieved by more than half of the members who are registered and voting at convention, whereas a
two-thirds vote requires at least two-thirds of those members who are registered and voting (Constitution,
2024, Article X). This means that abstentions [declining to vote for or against] are not counted, nor are
non-votes by registered members who are not present at the meeting.

IN SUM

A comprehensive review and in-depth analysis of our governing documents is essential for creating a
more streamlined, simplified, and efficient approach to governance and operational processes. Based on
best practices, the Revision Task Force recommends that we change the terminology of our governing
documents to International Bylaws and suggests transferring any procedural or operational items currently
found in the Constitution and International Standing Rules to our Guidelines and Policies & Procedures
Manual (GAPP). The Revision Task Force is committed to prioritizing the needs and preferences of DKG
members by developing bylaws that are transparent, straightforward, and easy to understand. These
International Bylaws will focus on sustainability, aiming to reduce the need for future revisions. By
enhancing clarity and accessibility within our governing framework, Society members can allocate less time
to administrative tasks and dedicate more time to enriching activities that promote member engagement,
facilitate networking opportunities, and strengthen relationship-building efforts. This proactive strategy
reflects the core values of DKG and aligns with our mission and vision as we confidently move into
#SecondCenturyDKG and beyond.

Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan, 2024–2026 International President and recipient of the 2024 International Achievement Award,
is a member of Alpha Rho Chapter in Tennessee State Organization, where she has served as recording secretary, first vice
president, and president. At the international level, Hall-Maughan has been second vice president (2022–2024) and finance
committee chair (2016–2018). She is a DKGIEF Founding Luminary, a graduate of the Society’s Leadership Management
Seminar, and a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and the Association of School Business Officials.
beverlyh@dkg.org

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