StGA ByLaw Amendment Proposal App
February 16, 2026•1,130 words
Bylaw Amendment Proposal Webtool- User Guide
Overview
The Amendment Proposal Webtool is a collaborative platform designed for St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Austin to facilitate the review and amendment of the Parish bylaws.
- Members can review sections, propose changes, and track their personal progress through the review process.
- Amendments proposed by members are transparent to all members.
Key Features
🔐 Authentication
- Secure magic link email authentication
- Members log in using their email address
- No passwords required - check your email for login links
📊 Personal Progress Tracking
Each member has their own personalized view with three status levels:
- Not Started: Sections you haven't viewed yet
- In Review: Sections you've opened and are reviewing
- Proposed: Sections where you've submitted a proposal
📝 Bylaw Sections
- 19 pre-loaded sections from the official church bylaws
- View current bylaw text for each section
- Browse all sections from the dashboard
- Navigate between sections easily
💡 Proposal System
- Submit one proposal per section
- Propose alternative wording or changes
- Update your proposals anytime
- View all member proposals for each section
- Proposals display member email and submission date
👥 Administrative Functions (Code Protected)
- Add new bylaw sections (requires access code)
- Reset and reload all 19 sections from master document
Getting Started
First Time Login
- Navigate to the application URL
- Enter your email address when prompted
- Check your email for the magic link
- Click the link to log in automatically
- You'll be redirected to the Dashboard
Using the Webtool
Dashboard Overview
The dashboard is your home base, showing:
Welcome Header
- Your email address
- Logout button
- Add Section button (for admins)
Progress Overview Card
- Visual progress bar showing sections with proposals
- Three statistics:
- Not Started: Sections you haven't viewed
- In Review: Sections you've opened
- Proposed: Sections where you submitted proposals
Section Grid
- All bylaw sections displayed as cards
- Each card shows:
- Section number and title
- Status badge (color-coded)
- Preview of current text
- Last updated timestamp
Status Colors
- 🔵 Blue Badge = In Review
- 🟢 Green Badge = Proposed
- ⚫ Gray Badge = Not Started
Reviewing a Section
Step 1: Open a Section
- Click on any section card from the dashboard
- Status automatically changes to "In Review"
Step 2: Read the Content
- View the section number and title
- Read the current bylaw text
- Review when it was last updated
Step 3: View Other Proposals
- Scroll down to see "Member Proposals"
- All proposals are listed in reverse chronological order (newest first)
- Each proposal shows:
- Member's email
- Submission date and time
- Full proposed text
Submitting a Proposal
To Submit Your First Proposal
- Navigate to a section (if not already there)
- Scroll to "Your Proposal" section
- Type your proposed changes in the text area
- Click "Submit Proposal"
- Status automatically changes to "Proposed" ✅
To Update Your Proposal
- Navigate to the section
- Your existing proposal will appear in the text area
- Edit the text as needed
- Click "Update Proposal"
- Timestamp updates automatically
Important Notes
- ✅ You can submit one proposal per section
- ✅ You can update your proposal anytime
- ✅ Your proposal is immediately visible to all members
- ✅ Status tracking is automatic - no manual updates needed
Navigation
Moving Around the Webtool
- Back to Dashboard: Click "Back to Dashboard" button on any section page
- Between Sections: Return to dashboard and select another section
- Logout: Click "Logout" button in top right of dashboard
Tips for Effective Use
✅ Best Practices
Review Systematically
- Go through sections in order
- Use your progress tracker to stay organized
Read Other Proposals
- Check what others have suggested
- Build on good ideas from the community
Be Clear and Specific
- Write detailed proposals
- Explain your reasoning when helpful
Update as Needed
- You can revise your proposals anytime
- Refine your ideas as discussions progress
Track Your Progress
- Use the dashboard to see which sections need attention
- Green badges = you're done with that section!
📱 Responsive Design
The application works on:
- Desktop computers
- Tablets
- Mobile phones
Understanding Your Status
Automatic Status Updates
Your status for each section updates automatically:
| Action | Status Change |
|---|---|
| Click on a section | → In Review |
| Submit a proposal | → Proposed |
Status Meanings
Not Started (Gray)
- You haven't opened this section yet
- Click to begin reviewing
In Review (Blue)
- You've viewed the section
- You're considering your proposal
- No proposal submitted yet
Proposed (Green)
- You've submitted a proposal
- Your input is recorded
- You can still update your proposal
Blue Highlight around a section
- There is already a proposal submitted for this section by another user/member
Troubleshooting
Can't Log In?
- Check your spam folder for the magic link email
- Make sure you're using the same email address
- Link expires after a period - request a new one
Don't See Your Proposal?
- Make sure you clicked "Submit Proposal"
- Check for success message (green notification)
- Refresh the page if needed
Status Not Updating?
- Status updates are automatic
- Try refreshing your browser
- Log out and log back in
Technical Support
Common Questions
Q: How many proposals can I submit?
A: One proposal per section. You can update it anytime.
Q: Can I delete my proposal?
A: Currently, you can only update it. Clear the text field to submit an empty proposal.
Q: Who can see my proposals?
A: All authenticated members can see all proposals.
Q: What's the access code for?
A: It protects administrative functions like adding sections. Code: "GoodChange"
Webtool Summary
For Members
- Log in with your email
- Browse all 19 bylaw sections
- Review each section (status: In Review)
- Propose changes (status: Proposed)
- Track your progress on the dashboard
For Administrators
- Everything members can do, plus:
- Add new bylaw sections
- Reset and reload all sections
Contact & Support
- Technical Issues: Use "Report Bugs" functionality in the Dashboard page.
- Bylaw Content: Contact church leadership
Last Updated: 2026
St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Austin