ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization is the Van Raub Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. This organization is an independent association and is not in any way associated with any other PTO or any other organization whatsoever.

 

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ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The objectives of the VAN RAUB PTO shall be education in scope and shall be developed and enhanced through conferences, committees, projects, programs, and also:

 

1. Promote the welfare of children in home, school, and community.

2. Bring into a closer relationship the home and school so that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of our children.

3. Develop between educators and the general public such united efforts that will secure for all children the highest advantages in academic, physical, and social education.

4. Secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

 

 

ARTICLE III: BASIC POLICIES

The following are basic policies of the VAN RAUB PTO:

 

1. The organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan.

2. No commercial enterprise and no political candidate shall be endorsed by the organization.

3. The organization shall work with the school to provide quality education for all children.

4. The name of this PTO and the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in any connections with any partisan interest or for any purpose other than the regular work of the organization.

5. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall be distributed to its members, officers, or other private persons, except when the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in accordance with the approved budget and/or bylaws, policy, and procedure guidelines.

6. Upon the dissolution of this organization, after paying or adequately providing for debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more campus organizations.

7. The PTO shall not seek to direct the administrative activities of the school or control its policies but to support and to provide input.

8. The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies active in child welfare provided its representative makes no commitments that bind the group s/he represents.

9. All officers of VAN RAUB PTO will be authorized to sign any and all checks. Two signatures are required on all checks. The funds shall be housed at a federally insured (FDIC) bank.

10.  All funds collected by PTO must be counted by a minimum of 2 PTO (or faculty) members. Pre-approved accounting form must be completed and signed by money handlers prior to submission to treasurer.

11. Only money counted using pre-approved counting forms may leave school premises. Uncounted funds must remain on school property and properly secured until counted.

 

 

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERS AND DUES

Section 1:

            Membership to VAN RAUB PTO shall be made available without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin, and to any 

            individual who subscribes to the objectives and basic policies of this organization.

 

Section 2:

            This PTO shall conduct an annual enrollment of members, but may admit persons to membership at any time.

 

Section 3:

            The incoming Executive Board shall establish annual dues prior to each school year.

 

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ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION

Section 1:

            Each officer shall be a member of this PTO, and a parent or legal guardian of current enrolled student at Van Raub Elementary School.

 

Section 2:

            The officers of this PTO shall consist of: President, Co-President, minimum of 4 Vice Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer. Vice President roles/titles will be determined as necessary by current board. 

 

Section 3: Nominating Committee

1. There shall be a nominating committee composed of up to 5 members. The committee must consist of representatives of the Executive Board (see Article VI), non-board PTO members, and may have school faculty. The current president may not serve on this committee.

2. The Executive Board shall approve the chairperson of the nominating committee.

3. The nominating committee shall nominate an eligible person for each office to be filled and report its nominees in writing to the PTO membership at least two weeks prior to election of officers in the spring.

4. Only persons who signified their consent to serve if elected may be nominated.

 

Section 4: Elections of Officers

1. Officers shall be elected at a membership meeting held in the spring. *First year PTO board chosen by founding members (founding members consist of President and Co President) and principal.  Officers are subject to approval by present executive board and nominating committee.

2. Officers shall assume their duties following the close of the school year.

3. No officer shall serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms unless there is no one for that position: then same person may hold office for said position for new 2 year term.

4. One who has served more than ½ term shall be credited with having served that term. If only served half term, officer may serve same position as if it was brand new term the following two years. If served half term, can also choose to change in the new term without being elected again. 

 

Section 5: Vacancies

A vacancy occurring in any elected office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by the majority of the

Executive Board after notice of such election has been given. If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Executive Vice President (EVP) shall assume the position for the remainder of the term.  A current board member can change positions and fill the vacancy without an election. 

 

Section 6: Removal from Office

By ⅔ vote of the Executive Board, an officer or chairperson may be removed from the office for failure to perform duties. An officer or chairperson who misses three consecutive meetings may be removed from office.

 

 

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1: The Executive Board shall consist of:

1. Officers of the organization;

2. Principal and/or vice-principal of the school; and

3. Two faculty representatives.

 

Section 2: Duties of the Executive Board shall be to:

1. Attend all board meetings and general membership meetings;

2. Transact necessary business in the interval between meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the organization;

3. Create committees and appoint committee chairpersons;

4. Approve the plans of work of all officers and committee chairpersons;

5. Prepare annual goals;

6. Prepare and submit a budget to the membership for adoption;

7. Approve routine expenditures within limits of the budget;

8. Fill vacancies of officers and chairpersons; and

9. Create policies to help meet the annual goals.

 

Section 3: Meetings

1. Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held prior to each regular organization meeting, the time to be fixed by the board at its first meeting of the year;

2. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum; and

3. The president, the principal, or a majority of the members of the board may call special meetings of the Executive Board with three days notice being given.

 

 

ARTICLE VII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1: The president shall:

1. Coordinate the work of the officers and committees in order that the purposes (see Article II) may be promoted;

2. Confirm that a quorum is present before conducting any business at any meeting (see Article X, section 4);

3. Preside at all general membership and board meetings;

4. Be authorized to sign on bank accounts;

5. Be a member ex-officio of all committees except the nominating committee;

6. Communicate with the principal or designated administrator prior to and after each meeting; and

7. Perform other such duties as may be prescribed in these by-lays or assigned by the Executive Board.

 

Section 2: The Co-President shall:

1. Act as aide to the president;

2. Perform other duties assigned by president;

3. Shall serve as FIRST Vice President and preside in the absence of president;

4. Be authorized to sign on bank accounts.

 

Section 3: The Vice- Presidents shall:

1. Act as an aide to the president;

2. Act as a liaison between their designated committee and the executive board;

3. Perform other duties assigned by the president;

4. Be authorized to sign on bank accounts.

 

Section 4: The Secretary shall:

1. Record the minutes of all meetings of the organization; all PTO meeting minutes and agendas will be kept as a permanent record-- not to be discarded;

2. Keep a notebook containing copies of minutes from all meetings of the current school year and one year previous;

3. Present to the principal, vice principal, and teacher representatives a typed copy of the minutes of each meeting within a reasonable amount of time following each meeting;

4. Have a current copy of the bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order available at all meetings; and,

5. Be authorized to sign on all bank accounts.

 

Section 5: The treasurer shall:

1. Have custody of all the funds of the organization;

2. Keep books of accounts and records including bank statements, receipts, budgets, invoices, paid receipts, and cancelled checks for 5 years;

3. Make disbursements as authorized by the Executive Board, or organization, and in accordance with the budget adopted by the organization;

4. Assure that monies are efficiently collected and accounted for during any sale, fundraiser, or event;

5. Sign on bank accounts (two authorized signatures shall be required on all checks);

6. Present a financial statement at general meetings, Executive Board meetings, and at other times when requested by the organization or Executive Board; and

7. Submit books to the Executive Board if requested.

 

 

Section 6: All officers shall:

1. Perform the duties outlined in these bylaws and those assigned from time to time;

2. Deliver to their successors or the president all official materials within 15 days following the meeting at which their successors assume their duties; and

3. Officers of the organization are responsible and liable for all the actions of the organization during their term.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII: THE GENERAL PTO BOARD

Section 1: The general PTO board shall consist of:

1. The PTO Executive Board; and

2. Chairpersons of all committees.

 

Section 2: The duties of the general PTO Board are:

1. Provide input to the Executive Board on policies, procedures, and programs;

2. Help develop the master calendar of events and programs;

3. Help develop the plan of work for each committee for Executive Board Approval; and

4. Perform other activities as requested by the Executive Board.

 

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ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES

Section 1: Only members of the organization shall be eligible to serve as committee chairpersons.

 

Section 2: The Executive Board may create such standing committees as it deems necessary to promote the purposes (see Article II) and carry on the work of the organization. The term of each chairperson shall be one year or until the selection of a successor.

 

Section 3: No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the Executive Board.

 

 

ARTICLE X: MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1: Regular meetings of the organization shall be held at least two times throughout the year. Times and dates will be established by the Executive Board.

 

Section 2: Notice of regular meetings shall be given at least 3 days in advance.

 

Section 3: Special meetings of the organization may be called by the president, principal, or by a majority of the Executive Board.  Three days  notice must be given.

 

Section 4: Ten members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of this organization.

 

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ARTICLE XI: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of this organization shall begin July 1 and end June 30.

 

 

ARTICLE XII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these bylaws.

 

 

ARTICLE XIII: DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

Section 1: The Executive Board shall have power to disburse funds in accordance with the adopted budget.

 

Section 2: Disbursement of funds not specifically allocated in the budget may be approved by a quorum of the Executive Board. The President may authorize up to $500.00 without approval of Executive Board.

 

Section 3: Disbursement of funds exceeding $5000.00 not specifically allocated in the budget must be presented to the members and approved by a majority present provided that a quorum is present.

 

 

ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS

Section 1: These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization, provided a quorum is present, by ⅔ vote of members present and voting. Notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given at least 5 days prior to voting and time allowed for discussion before a vote is taken.

 

Section 2: A committee may be appointed to submit a revised set of bylaws as a substitute for the existing bylaws only by a majority vote at a meeting of the organization, or by ⅔ vote of the Executive Board. The requirement of a revised set of bylaws shall be the same as in the case of an amendment.