Voting on amendments to articles of incorporation or bylaws and other organization papers is often necessary. Changing economic conditions, or merely the growth and expansion of the business, may make it desirable for an association to change or amend its organization papers. After the required notification, changes are usually considered and voted on by members at the annual meeting.

The organization's bylaws must be kept abreast of cur- rent practices and to neglect them can lead to serious difficulties. Directors should anticipate the changes and recommend thoroughly considered amendments. Proposed amendments should be publicized in advance of the meeting, along with supporting arguments. This is much better than to have some hurriedly conceived action spring from the floor.

Legally, an association cannot engage in any activity, handle any commodity, or perform any service.unless authorized to do so by its articles of incorporation. Through its bylaws, an association regulates its voting procedure, sets the time and place of its annual meeting, and regulates transfer of its stock from one person to another.

Through its ,bylaws, an association may also provide for use of a contract or marketing agreement, outline the manner in which services are to be provided, and specify the procedure for accounting with members. These bylaw provisions may need to be changed from time to time.