Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance Bylaws
Information for members
Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance is seeking to adopt a revised set of bylaws in spring 2026. These revisions to bylaws adopted in 2012 were drafted by a committee of SoWBA board members, staff, and volunteers to update several sections, such as clarifying the definition of membership, associated voting rights, and other areas that will improve our organization’s governance. The new bylaws reorganize and expand the organization’s existing bylaws, with legal guidance and review from Scholz Nonprofit Law. The committee proposed the bylaws to the board in February 2026, who unanimously agreed to put them up for a vote of approval by our membership.
To move forward with the updated bylaws, a quorum of 50 members must cast ballots, with more than 50% in approval. SoWBA members in good standing as of March 1, 2026 will be able to cast their ballots by mail or online—the paper ballot was included in the Spring 2026 issue of our quarterly print newsletter.
The newly proposed bylaws (button 1) and the existing bylaws (button 2) can be viewed in PDF form by clicking below:
Abridged Summary of revisions
Article II: Membership
The revised bylaws clearly state that membership in Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance is established by paying dues directly to this organization. Members in good standing are afforded the right to vote on certain matters of importance to the organization presented at the annual meeting or otherwise put up to a membership vote. The new bylaws also clearly note that membership in National Audubon does not imply membership in SoWBA, and vice versa, since they are two separate organizations. Moving forward, this helps ensure that decisions made by the membership reflect the perspectives of those most invested and engaged in SoWBA’s work.
Article III: Meetings of the members
This section allows more flexibility for members to cast ballots on actions as needed outside of the one annual meeting.
Article XII: Indemnification, limited liability, and insurance
This section is new and recommended by the board, attorney, and colleagues at peer Bird Alliance and Audubon chapters.
Cover photo by Carolyn Byers. Water droplets collect on a green leaf.
