The legal name of the corporation recorded with your state or jurisdiction.

Nonprofit Purpose

This is the language that is required in your Articles of Incorporation by the IRS. It is not necessary to include this in your Bylaws, but it is a good idea to restate it as a reference.

This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Specific Purpose

Here you put the purpose of your organization as well as the specific activities you will be involved in. It is a good idea to list the major activities of your nonprofit without being too specific about the details. You want to have a focused scope of work without limiting the ability to grow the organization in the future. The following sample is from Noble Paws, Inc. in Fairbanks Alaska.

Noble Paws provides dog sled training and services for persons with special needs, disabilities and at-risk behaviors. This service includes the use of a trained dog sled team and handicap accessible dog sleds. The sleds are modified and/or custom made to accommodate the specific needs of the participants.

The specific objectives and purpose of this organization shall be:

1. to provide instruction in the sport of dog mushing to persons with special needs, disabilities and/or at-risk behaviors;
   
   
2. to provide facilities, equipment and a trained dog team for participants to engage in the promotion and participation of the sport of dog mushing;
   
   
3. to provide opportunities for participants to engage in recreational, competitive and backcountry mushing;
   
   
4. to sponsor, host and/or participate in events and activities that promote the sport of dog mushing.

Membership in your nonprofit can be limited to your board of directors or it can also include members of the public. This is a decision you will have to make at your first meeting when you adopt your Bylaws.

The following example outlines requirements and governance of a nonprofit that is open to public membership. It is extracted from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Sample Bylaws with Membership.

 If you do not intend to have pubic membership, then the following wording is all that is necessary:

The membership of the corporation shall consist of the members of the Board of Directors.

Eligibility for Membership

Application for voting membership shall be open to any current resident, property owner, business operator, or employee of the REGIONAL AREA (IF NECESSARY) that supports the purpose statement in Article II, Section 2. Membership is granted after completion and receipt of a membership application and annual dues. All memberships shall be granted upon a majority vote of the board.Printed notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, by mail, not less than two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 5. Quorum

A quorum for a meeting of the members shall consist of at least twenty percent (20)% of the active membership.

Note: You can set the quorum requirements for member meetings in your Bylaws and/or your Articles of Incorporation. Check with your Secretary of State office to see if what quorum requirements may apply to your member meetings.

Section 6.  Voting

All issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of those present at the meeting in which the vote takes place.