Dose of preventative medicine - effective bylaw revisions

Yes, March may be all about Easter and crazy-early daylight savings time changes, but it's also bylaw revision season! This year, think strategically about ways to utilize bylaws as a dose of preventitive medicine - set clear and specific expectations for members, and also find creative ways to proactively address issues that your chapter members may (or should!) care most about. Below are 3 classic areas to read closely (and perhaps update), and 3 creative additions you may consider this year. Ah, we Alpha Chi's love our 3's!

Classic challenge areas (refer to the P&P manual/CD for guidelines!):

1. Special Status - what is it? what isn't it? Bylaws are all about the balance between clear and specific and yet not too specific that it becomes limiting in practice.
2. Elections - refer to the elections guide for ideas. Setting a moratorium on bylaw amendments once the elections process has begun and until it has concluded can help keep "over-enthusiastic" candidates in check down the line.
3. Mandatory events/positive points/"member in good standing". Is it 85% positive points in order to go to formal? Are you allowed one "free miss" to chapter meeting once a semester/quarter - no excuse needed or wanted?

Creative opportunity areas:

1. Add a "Career & Internships Chair" to your non-exec. elected officers list. This could sit under the VP-MD or VP-ID and be responsible for keeping a networking database of local alumnae in various fields, be a liaison to the campus Career Services Center and Internship Office, notify members of career/internship fairs on campus/in the community, and offer tips on resume-building, interviewing, or business etiquette.
2. Add a Ritual Chair, or expectation that a "member in good standing" means they know opening and closing ritual by heart. It's amazing how many women will memorize it when going to spring formal is on the line :)
3. You decide! What does your chapter love or struggle with the most? What could you add, change, or remove in your bylaws that would help members better live up to the Code of Conduct or value their membership more?