Granite State News Collaborative – Simplified Bylaws (Sample)
Article I: Name
The organization is called the Granite State News Collaborative.
Article II: Mission
The Collaborative is a statewide multimedia network that brings together news organizations to expand coverage, fill gaps, and better serve communities across New Hampshire through coordinated reporting and engagement.
Article III: Objectives
The Collaborative aims to:
Be a resource to partners and the public
Fill gaps in coverage across the state
Support and train the next generation of journalists
Article IV: Membership
Full Partners
Description:
News organizations that regularly produce original reporting and participate in collaborative efforts.
Requirements:
Sign a membership agreement
Participate in meetings and editorial collaboration
Rights:
Publish content from other partners on agreed topics
Participate in governance and editorial direction
Community Partners
Description:
Organizations that participate in specific projects or initiatives without full membership.
Requirements:
Sign a project-specific agreement
Rights:
Publish project-related collaborative content
Adding Members
Applications reviewed by leadership and approved by governing body
Removing Members
Members may be removed for lack of participation or violation of agreements
Article V: Organizational Structure
Board of Directors
Each full partner organization appoints one representative
Provides overall governance and direction
Executive Committee
Includes leadership roles (President, Vice President, etc.)
Supports decision-making and operations
Editorial Committee
Includes partners engaged in reporting and content sharing
Guides editorial priorities and collaborative projects
Executive Director
Manages day-to-day operations
Coordinates collaboration, projects, and partnerships
Article VI: Meetings
Regular board and editorial meetings
Participation expected but flexible
Article VII: Decision-Making
Consensus is preferred
Leadership resolves decisions when needed
Article VIII: Amendments
Bylaws may be updated as the collaborative evolves
Don’t go it alone
You don’t have to figure this out from scratch. We’ve worked through the same challenges—structure, trust, participation, momentum—and we help other collaboratives do the same.
👉 GSNC: Strategy, facilitation, and collaborative design
👉 Plucky: Tools to share content and scale your work
Start here: www.collaborativenh.org/consulting