# Bylaws

Concept · [Programs and community](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/community)

Also called: by-laws, bylaw, corporate bylaws, governing documents

The internal rules an organization, such as a [nonprofit](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/nonprofit) or [corporation](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/c-corp), adopts for how it is run: how [the board](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/board-of-directors) is chosen, how votes happen and who holds which office.

**For example:** A new [meetup](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/meetup) that becomes a [nonprofit](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/nonprofit) writes bylaws saying [the board](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/board-of-directors) has five members elected each year.

## Connects to (4)

- [Nonprofit](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/nonprofit): An organization that exists to serve a mission and does not pay profits out to owners.
- [Board of directors](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/board-of-directors): The group that a corporation's shareholders elect to oversee the company.
- [Fiscal sponsorship](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/fiscal-sponsorship): An arrangement where an established nonprofit takes in grants and donations on behalf of a project that is not its own tax-exempt…
- [501(c)(6)](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/501c6): A US tax-exempt category for business leagues, such as trade associations, chambers of commerce and professional associations.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/bylaws