Margaret Black Elementary School

Parent Teacher Organization By-Laws

Ratified 4/17/2007

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Margaret Black Elementary School P.T.O. (Parent Teacher Organization).

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be:
  1. To bring a closer relationship between the home and the school by encouraging parent involvement;
  2. To promote cooperation between parents and teachers, thereby, helping to increase their efficiency in educating the child;
  3. To provide the opportunity for people to become involved in school activities;
  4. To establish the opportunity for communication between the community and the school;
  5. To join in all areas of mutual interest;
  6. To support the service groups of the Margaret Blaek student body;
  7. To cooperate with all other organizations that are working for the same purpose;
  8. To provide the students and families of Black Elementary with various programs to enhance and enrich the existing educational programs.

ARTICLE III: BASIC POLICIES

  1. This organization shall be non-sectarian and non-partisan. It shall not endorse a commercial enterprise.
  2. This organization shall not seek to direct the administrative activities of the school or to control its policies.
  3. This organization shall maintain a tax-exempt status as defined by section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  4. No profit shall proceed to any officer or member of this organization.
  5. The Margaret Black Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization under its bylaws will remain a nonprofit organization forever.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

  1. Any parent/guardian of a Margaret Black Elementary student, or a teacher at Black Elementary interested in the purpose and objectives of the Margaret Black P.T.O. and willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to its bylaws is eligible for membership.
  2. Members shall be accepted at any time.
  3. There will be no membership fee.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

  1.  
    1. The elected officers of this organization shall be: PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND TREASURER and/or co-officers.
    2. Officers shall assume their official duties at the start of the following school year and shall serve a term of one year,
    3. The transition between any new officers must take place within 7-10 school days of the start of the following school year,
    4. All officers shall be eligible for re-election. No officer may hold the same office for more than 2 consecutive terms unless running un-opposed
  2.  
    1. Officers shall be elected by ballot annually in the month of May. If there is but one candidate for any office, upon motion from the floor, they may be elected by acclamation,
    2. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the president, the vice- president shall temporarily become president. Vacancies of any office shall be filled by an election at a meeting of the organization,
    3. An officer may be removed from office upon petition and by majority vote at the next general meeting following the submission of the petition.
  3.  
    1. The president shall contact individuals prior to the April meeting to run for office,
    2. Accept nominations from the membership at the April meeting,
    3. Prepare a ballot if necessary.
    4. Hold nominations open following the April meeting. Nominations will close the day before the May meeting at the end of the school day

ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

  1. All / or any officers shall:
    1. Serve as information sources;
    2. Promote education and the school in a positive manner.
    3. Be available for consultation to new officers;
    4. Shall be a co-signer on the organization's savings and checking accounts
  2. The president shall:
      3. Preside at all general and special meetings of the organization and executive board, Call all special meetings. Appoint all chairpersons of standing and special committees, Prepare agenda for all general meetings, Oversee duties of other officers and committee chairpersons, Secure building permits for monthly PTO meetings. Represent the membership at WCS and/or PTO sponsored events and/or meetings or appoint suitable representation in his/her absence.
  3. The vice-president shall:
    1. Act as an aide to the president.
    2. Perform duties of president in the absence or inability of the president to serve.
    3. Is responsible for the upkeep of the PTO bulletin board.
    4. Be responsible for sending cards, flowers or gifts on behalf of the PTO under guidelines.
  4. The secretary shall:
    1. Record minutes of all meetings.
    2. Hold a copy of PTO minutes for the prior seven year
    3. Provide minutes of the previous meeting
    4. Conduct all correspondence of this organization
    5. Have the care and custody of all books, records and papers of the organization and shall deliver them intact to the successor in office within 7-10 days of the start of the following school year,
    6. Present all incoming correspondence at general meetings.
  5. The treasurer shall:
    1. Receive all money of the organization
    2. Keep a record of all receipts and expenditures.
    3. Pay out funds as authorized by the organization. Proper corresponding receipts or invoices must be received by the treasurer in order to receive funds requested-no exceptions.
    4. Present a financial statement at all meetings.
    5. Present a full report at the September Meeting. Copies shall be available for members,
    6. Submit books for audit. Arrange for yearly audit of entire current school year by existing treasurer with assistance of other officers. The audit must be completed prior to the start of the next school year,
    7. Prepare and submit annual financial statements as required by state and federal authorities including all necessary tax return and documentation
    8. All IRS filings must be completed prior to the start of the following school year and presented to the board members within the first 7-10 days of that school year. In the event the treasurer is unable to complete the IRS filings, the board will be responsible for completion prior to the following start of the new school year,
    9. Have all checks signed by two signatures registered with the bank,
    10. Is responsible for changing names on bank accounts. Bank accounts should include names of all officers.

ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE BOARD

  1. The executive board shall consist of the parent/guardian officers of this organization, the teacher representative, and the building principal.
  2. The parent/guardian duties of the executive board shall be:
    1. to transact necessary business in the interval between organizational meetings.
    2. to create and approve the work of standing committees.
    3. to approve routine bills within the limit of the treasury. Not to exceed $100.00 all expenditures over SI00.00 must be approved by general membership,
    4. to review and revise the bylaws when necessary,
    5. to act as liaison between parents and teachers.
  3. A meeting between the principal and at least one officer will be held each month prior to each general meeting. Special meetings of the executive board may be called by the president or by a majority of the members of the board.
  4. No officer of the executive board may take independent action in the name of the PTO without prior approval by a majority vote at a monthly meeting. Emergency situations may be acted upon by a majority of the officers and then presented to the membership with explanation at the next monthly meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES

  1. Committees may be created by the executive board as may be required to promote fhc objectives and interests of the organization.
  2. A committee chairperson shall submit reports to the president and stay in direct contact with the president regarding activities.
  3. Chairpersons will provide a committee report at genera] meetings when requested by the executive board.
  4. A chairperson may not take any independent action in the name of the organization without prior approval of the executive board.

ARTICLE IX: GENERAL MEETINGS

  1. The general meetings of the organization shall be held monthly. All meetings will start promptly at the announced time.
  2. The annual meeting shall be in the month of May at which time election of officers will he held.
  3. All PTO members present at meetings shall be eligible to vote.
  4. All PTO board members shall be eligible to vote; with the exception of the President, who shall vote only in the event of a tie.
  5. Order of Business:
    1. Call to Order
    2. Treasurer's Report
    3. Secretary's Report
    4. Principal's Report
    5. Teacher Representative
    6. Committee Reports
    7. Old Business
    8. New Business
    9. Questions/Comments
    10. Adjournment

ARTICLE X: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert's Rules of Order, Revised shall govern this organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS

  1. These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a majority of members present. The proposed amendments must be provided in writing at a regular meeting prior to the meeting when changes will be voted on.
  2. Whenever deemed necessary, the officers of the organization will appoint a committee to review the bylaws and submit their report at a regular meeting.

ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution, all assets shall be contributed to Margaret Black Elementary School or to the receiving school in accordance to section 501 (c) (3) of the internal revenue code.

ARTICLE XIII: RATIFICATION

Upon ratification of these by-laws by a majority vote of the membership present at a designated general membership meeting, they shall become valid and binding upon the members of the Margaret Black Elementary Parent Teacher Organization

Ratified April 17, 2007