The HSIA By-Laws committee, which was established by a majority vote of the General Membership of HSIA is now up and running.  The By-Laws Committee Charter – which includes a mission statement, operating guidelines, an action plan and committee roles and responsibilities – was approved by the HSIA Board at the August 12 Special Meeting.  The By-Laws Committee is a temporary committee which was formed to evaluate the adequacy of the HSIA By-Laws to meet the needs of the General HSIA Membership and to propose and implement changes as necessary.   

The HSIA By-Laws are the list of rules that determine how the HSIA Board of Directors manages and protects the interests of the HSIA General Membership.  Click here to view the HSIA By-Laws  

The HSIA By-Laws were originally drafted over 50 years ago.  Both the community and the times have changed since then and in some cases the directives stated in the current By-Laws no longer apply.  Whenever possible, these will either be removed or updated to meet the needs of today’s community. 

It has also been noted, over time, that some of the By-Laws are too restrictive to allow the HSIA Board to implement productive and useful community initiatives in a timely manner.  As with those directives that are out of date, these issues will be updated to meet the needs of today’s community.

The final goal is to arrive at a set of By-Laws that allows the HSIA Board to get the job done while still ensuring that the needs of the General Membership are being appropriately met.

As a member of the community that is being managed in accordance with these By-Laws, you play a pivotal role in this process.  The current By-Laws state that the By-Laws cannot be modified without a two-thirds majority approval vote of the attendees at an HSIA General Meeting (after a quorum is established).  As By-Law modifications are proposed, please come out to show your support and have your vote count at the HSIA General Meetings in which By-Laws changes will be discussed. 

You may also make recommendations for modifications to the By-Laws.  Click here to download a form to submit your recommendations for changes to the By-Laws.   

Hard copy completed forms may be mailed to HSIA, P.O. Box 3485, Annapolis, MD 21403 or may be brought to any board or general meeting and delivered to the By-Laws Committee Chair, Judy Montgomery.  The forms may also be submitted electronically to bylaws@hillsmereshores.net.