This week, Diana Swihard, PhD, DMin, MSN, CS, APRN, BC, discusses the importance of a shared governance model and finalizing its bylaws.

Q: My organization is in the process of formalizing its shared governance model. What are some important aspects to consider while we begin to discuss bylaws?

A. Bylaws may be either descriptive or prescriptive. Prescriptive bylaws set the rules upon which an organization will evolve, while descriptive bylaws describe the organization's already in place. Many groups prefer descriptive bylaws.

Organizational structure is established based on the design and implementation plan with each part of the structure in place. The bylaws, then, simply define the structure once the implementation process begins. Once that occurs and is far enough along to give evidence of the operating structure that the participants want, then address the issue of bylaws.

Here are a few important things to remember:

1. Professional governance. Bylaws are not always present in all shared governance structures. They are usually present when professional nurses govern the structure and processes of the organization and disciplines have a set of principles that are applied to the organizational system.
2. Participation. Bylaws demand that everyone involved participate. By the time you are discussing bylaws, the shared governance structure will have settled into form and be operating successfully.
3. Accountability. Bylaws need to be accountability-based to exemplify the accountabilities in a defined structure. Set the rules to ensure that those accountabilities are carried out where designated.

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