A visit to The Center for Applied Linguistics, located at the corner of 19th and N, offers those of us who are deeply interested in linguistics a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of language education resources. I guess it’s not too surprising that I’ve always been somewhat of a grammar nerd, but, what can I say? I love words, and appreciate the nuts and bolts of language. It’s fascinating how much diversity we find in the world of linguistics, and how each individual language communicates something different. We can study those alternative modes of communication for years, while learning how to accommodate the needs of our students, and provide relevant instruction. The work that goes into the inner workings of the Center is astounding.
It was here, while I was walking around the center, that I found myself reflecting on how operating agreements and bylaws influence organized education. I thought for a moment about why they exist, and what purpose they serve, and couldn’t help but think that they’re actually pretty incredible. I’ve written a great deal about operating agreements and bylaws, including Operating Agreements And Bylaws Definitions, Differences, And Advantages, but, my intent has always been to give you a clear, accurate picture of how they impact your organization. That means taking into account how they’re used, and what function they serve.
Organizing language education entities using relevant operating agreements and bylaws makes perfect sense, considering it’s a defined way of binding people together. While the binding would be voluntary, as would the communication, it’s an organized means of creating a group of people who are working toward a common goal. Think about it. Without organizing principles, it would be very difficult to maintain order, and when it comes to ensuring that everyone’s getting the message, the last thing you want is disorder. You want a solid foundation, with clear rules of engagement, and that foundation is what operating agreements and bylaws are all about.
The word “foundation” here isn’t used without thought, because just like that first stone laid, operating agreements and bylaws form the foundation of your organized institution. Using a property analogy, bylaws are like lots, and operating agreements are like blueprints. I’ve seen plenty of operating agreements written as “how to” manuals, with specific step by step instructions, and others that are slightly vague. In either case, the resolution of any matter should follow the written rules, and operating agreements should include instructions that can be easily located. If the bylaws and operating agreements are too short or too long, you may find it difficult to follow protocol.
Let’s take a moment to compare operating agreements with bylaws. Consider it a true apples to apples comparison. For example, in a business context, selling fruits and veggies at a market without an operating agreement and bylaws would be like operating without a plan. What if someone has an autocross accident with their go cart? If they’re not listed as a member, they might not get insurance coverage. What about an account book for deposits and expenses? It’s important to have those few key documents in place, so that members all know what to expect. Operating agreements and bylaws are the essential tools for ensuring everyone’s on the same page. The best defined operating agreements tend to be shorter, so you don’t end up with overly long and complicated bylaws and agreements. Keeping those documents succinct, and focusing on the task at hand will keep the project organized.
How did this entire post come to be? Well, prior to my visit to the Center, I read Operating Agreements And Bylaws Definitions, Differences, And Advantages, and thought about how much better off every group would be if they had operating agreements and bylaws. These documents work in that they resolve conflicts. Who will decide a conflict? A simple organizing principle is to designate a person to handle that concern. Do they hold a designated role? You can set up an arbitration process in your bylaws so that you know who will review the options, and how a final decision will be made.
By implementing operating agreements and bylaws, you’ll have laid the foundation for innovative educational ideas to grow. If you have rules of engagement clearly in place, you can get down to the business of the day, and trust that everyone is following the same code of conduct. Otherwise, if you don’t have these documents in place, you could find yourself in a game of charades, which can be super annoying (like the french guy from Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery). In addition, many unorganized members may not know which end of the croissant to put in their mouth. Talk about speaking french!
Thinking even further, consider what would happen if everyone decided that they weren’t going to play by the rules. Ultimately, you could have a crisis on your hands, and that would be no good. You need to ensure that you have rules of engagement in place, so that you are ready for anything. If you’re ready, you’ll be able to address any issue that arises.
For more information on the importance of organizational documents, you can visit Wikipedia.
