The best practice is to read and know your bylaws and review both the constitution and bylaws annually. In addition, it's crucial that the board of directors read and know the non-profit's bylaws.

When directors and staff know the bylaws, the non-profit benefits from better continuity (i.e. if someone leaves suddenly) and accountability (i.e. directors and staff can identify when bylaws aren't being followed).

Bylaws are the rules that govern the internal affairs of the non-profit.

In many ways the bylaws are like a contract between members of the non-profit and the non-profit.

Here are some example bylaws.

The mission and mandate of a non-profit can often vary from the purposes. Purposes are the raison-d’etre (reason for being) of the non-profit. Keep them simple.

If your non-profit is a registered charity, the CRA requires approval before amendments can be made to your constitution.

The constitution lists the name and purposes of the non-profit.

It’s the non-profit's “raison d’etre” or “reason for being.” The purposes can be anything from running a soccer club, providing counselling services for seniors, or raising money for a hospital.

Here is an example of what a constitution looks like once it's been filed with the Registry.