SAMPLE: GSNC-INSPIRED BYLAWS (SIMPLIFIED)

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