What Is A Resolution?
A resolution is the primary instrument members and stakeholders in an organization use to make their will known to the organization’s leadership. Resolutions are formal documents that direct Leadership to establish policies, create programs and take action. If the Delegates to a Convention vote to accept a resolution, these documents serve as binding instructions to the organization’s leadership.
While each Convention may have specific rules on how a resolution should be formatted, generally a resolution is a document containing three parts: the title, the preamble (or “Whereas” section,) and the conclusion (or “Resolved” section.)
The title reflects the intent of the document. It should be a simple statement indicating the action the writers want the organization to take.
The preamble provides the basic facts and reasons the resolution has been brought to the organization. It is composed of a series of statements, each beginning with the term “Whereas,” that provide background information and lead the reader to the conclusion.
At the end of the preamble, the document shifts to the conclusion with the phrase “now therefore be it resolved.”
The conclusion “resolves” to direct the organization to take a form of action. Beginning with the term “Resolved” the conclusion identifies specific proposals the organization must enact or support. The conclusion can contain multiple statements of direction, with the phrase “be it further Resolved” bridging these directions and “be it finally Resolved” before the final statement.
For an example of how these three sections come together, look at this resolution passed by the Washington State Labor Council in 2024:
SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING UNIONISM
WHEREAS, there is a recognized need to promote unionism by utilizing companies signatory to unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO when purchasing goods and services with union funds; and,
WHEREAS, most unions affiliated with the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) offer a list and promote the use of union contractors and other signatory vendors for this purpose; and,
WHEREAS, it is imperative for continued growth in the union market share that the labor community is accountable at events and conventions by prioritizing the use of union vendors; now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, that affiliated unions with the WSLC shall establish criteria and requirements to ensure that the vendors used to sponsor events and/or participate in union-related functions be union companies employing union workers when accessible and available; and be it further,
RESOLVED, that this resolution will be circulated widely to all affiliated unions; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that this resolution be implemented immediately for all ensuing events by all affiliated unions.
The title, “SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING UNIONISM” is a simple statement indicating the action the authors want the Washington State Labor Council to take.
The preamble lays out the facts that led to this resolution being put before the WSLC Convention. Note that each statement is a single sentence beginning with the term WHEREAS, and that each sentence ends with a semicolon and the word “and” to link one statement to the next. The final statement in this section contains the transitional phrase “now therefore be it” to move the reader to the conclusion.
The conclusion is again composed of single sentences, ending in semicolons and connected by the phrases “and be it further” and “and be it finally” to link one statement to the next. Note the active language in each sentence directing the WSLC and its affiliates to take action (“…unions with the WSLC SHALL establish criteria…” “…this resolution WILL BE circulated…” “…this resolution BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY…”)
It’s not uncommon for a Labor organization’s Convention to require that resolutions be submitted before their opening sessions, so it is important that Delegates understand the structure of a resolution and submit it early.
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