Below are sample constitutions and bylaws from active NAMI on Campus clubs. The highlighted sections indicate language that is required to get approved by NAMI. Your school may have additional language requirements. Consult with your NSO/NA contacts when creating your club’s constitution and bylaws.

NAMI on Campus University of Alabama
Constitution and bylaws for NAMI on Campus University of Alabama

NAMI on Campus James Madison University
Constitution for NAMI on Campus James Madison University

These documents can be used to guide the development of your club's constitution and/or bylaws, but it’s up to you to decide how to best govern your club. As a general guideline, your constitution/bylaws should address your club's:

  • Mission statement, purpose and activities. These should be consistent with NAMI's stated values and mission
  • Membership requirements and advisor requirements
  • Officer requirements and responsibilities and elections process for officers
  • Legal compliance statements
  • Financial matters
  • Process for amending the constitution/bylaws
  • Language required by NAMI (see below)
  • Language required by your school (see below)


Language Required by NAMI

If your club is required to have a constitution and/or bylaws by your school, include the specific language below that pertains to being a NAMI on Campus club:

  • NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope for all those in need. NAMI [your state] is the NAMI State Organization. This Constitution governs the activities of the organization specific to [your school].

  • NAMI on Campus [your school] shall endeavor to sponsor and conduct programs and activities that further the purposes and objectives of NAMI and shall use its best efforts to ensure that such programs and activities are consistent with NAMI’s stated values and mission.

  • NAMI on Campus [your school] acknowledges that the NAMI name, acronym and logo and other NAMI trademarks, service marks, trade names and logos identified by NAMI from time to time are the intellectual property of NAMI. NAMI controls the use of the name, acronym and logo of NAMI and the club is granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-divisible, non-transferable right to use the NAMI name, acronym and logo and other NAMI trademarks, service marks, trade names and logos identified by NAMI from time to time for as long as the club shall exist.

  • This club acknowledges that NAMI controls the use of the name, acronym and logo of NAMI and that their uses by this club shall be in accordance with NAMI policy.

  • In the event that the club disbands, the former club members and officers shall discontinue use of the NAMI name, acronym and logo.

  • NAMI on Campus [your school] shall be independent of other organizations and advocacy groups not affiliated with NAMI and shall not share bylaws, articles of incorporation or boards of directors with such other groups.

Language Required by Your School

Please note that your school may also have specific requirements on what language needs to be included in your club's constitution and/or bylaws. Check with them to see if there is any language you must include to get recognized by your school. It is up to you to consolidate the language requirements provided by NAMI and your school.

Club Mission Statement

Your club's mission statement should be consistent with NAMI's mission statement and how we talk about NAMI and NAMI on Campus.

NAMI's mission statement

NAMI recognizes that the key concepts of recovery, resiliency and support are essential to improving the wellness and quality of life for all persons affected by mental illness.

NAMI will advocate at all levels to ensure that all persons affected by mental illness receive the services that they need and deserve, in a timely fashion. Mental illnesses should not be an obstacle to a full and meaningful life for persons who live with them.

About NAMI

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope for all those in need.

About NAMI on Campus

NAMI on Campus clubs are student-led clubs that tackle mental health issues on campus by raising mental health awareness, educating the campus community, supporting students, promoting services and supports and advocating. These clubs are open to all students, whether they have a mental health condition, are a family member or friend or have an interest in mental health. NAMI on Campus clubs aim to address the mental health needs of all students so they have positive, successful and rewarding college experiences.

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