What do organizations use to establish guidelines for decision-making and governance?

Bylaws serve as a critical framework for an organization, outlining the rules and procedures by which it operates. They create a formal structure that governs how decisions are made, how meetings are conducted, and how officers are elected and operate. Bylaws ensure that there is a consistent approach to governance and decision-making, which is essential for maintaining order and transparency within the organization.

While policies are also important as they provide specific directives that guide behavior and decision-making in specific areas, they may not encompass the overall governance structure in the same way that bylaws do. Mission statements articulate the organization's purpose and values but do not provide detailed procedural guidelines. Annual reports summarize an organization's activities and financial status, but they do not serve as governing documents. Therefore, bylaws are the comprehensive documents needed to effectively establish guidelines for decision-making and governance within an organization.