Do we need to change bylaws to offer membership?

[krobinson]

We are a small non-profit registered in California that would like to offer ‘membership’ as a kind of donating incentive. Membership would include things like a newsletter, logo on our website and events but no voting rights.

Our by-laws currently say we do not have members. Would we need to change this for this kind of membership?

Any insight would be much appreciated!

The members referred to in the bylaws are different from the type of members you would like to attract. In the bylaws the members would be more like the "shareholders" in a profit corporation. They elect the directors, etc. Some non-profit corporations have no members as stated in their bylaws. The current directors elect the new ones. The members you would have are like members in a library or a museum: they have no voting powers or decision-making powers in the organization; they just get advantages for showing support to the organization. So, the short response is: you dont have to change your bylaws to create this type of membership. same word, different concept.