LINGLESTOWN ELEMENTARY PTO
1044 North Mountain Road
Linglestown, PA 17112
LINGLESTOWN ELEMENTARY PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION
LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP, CENTRAL DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization is the Linglestown Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, Lower Paxton Township, Central Dauphin School District. It is a local Parent-Teacher Organization having no affiliation with the Pennsylvania Congress of Parents and Teachers (PTA) or the National Congress of Parents and Teachers.
ARTICLE II: ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
The organization exists as an unincorporated, non-profit organization of its members. These By-laws, as from time to time amended, shall be the Articles of Organization.
ARTICLE III: OBJECTIVES
Section 1.
The Objectives of the Organization are:
a. To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school and community.
b. To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
c. To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in training and education of the child.
d. To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for every child the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.
Section 2.
The objectives of the Organization are accomplished by promoting educational programs directed to the needs of parents, teachers, and the general public; developed through conferences, committees, projects, and programs; and are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in ARTICLE IV.
ARTICLE IV: BASIC POLICIES
The following are the basic policies of the Organization:
a. The Organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan.
b. The name of the Organization or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the Organization.
c. The Organization shall not, directly or indirectly, participate or intervene in any way, (including the publishing or distributing of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office; or to devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities attempting to influence educational legislation.
d. The Organization shall cooperate with schools to support the improvement of education in ways that will not interfere with administration of the schools and shall not seek to control their policies.
e. The Organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with child welfare but persons representing the Organization in such matters shall make no commitments that bind the Organization.
f. In the event of the dissolution of the Organization, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the PTO, the remaining assets shall be distributed to Linglestown Elementary School. If the school ceases to exist, remaining PTO assets shall be distributed for one or more of the exempt purposes specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as from time to time amended.
ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1.
Membership shall be automatically granted to all parents and guardians of Linglestown Elementary School students, plus all staff at Linglestown Elementary School. Membership in this Organization shall be available without regard to race, color, creed, sex or national origin.
Section 2.
Any member shall have the privilege of making motions and serving on committees.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION
Section 1.
a. The officers of the organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and other officers as deemed necessary or desirable at the discretion of the membership.
b. If there is but one nominee for any office, that nominee shall be elected.
c. Officers shall assume their official duties on July 1st and shall serve for a term of two years and until the election and qualification of their successors.*
d. A person shall not be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office, unless there are no other candidates for that position.
e. President and Secretary shall be elected on the alternating year cycle of odd numbered years. Vice-President and Treasurer shall be elected on the alternating year cycle of even numbered years.
Section 2.
a. In April, the PTO shall send out a nomination form/letter to all parents and guardians whose children attend Linglestown Elementary School to give them the opportunity to nominate someone or themselves for a PTO office. People nominated must be a parent or guardian of a child attending Linglestown Elementary School.
b. PTO Board elections shall be held prior to the May monthly meeting as decided on by the Board. Parents and Guardians of a child attending Linglestown Elementary School are eligible to vote, one vote per household.
c. Only those persons who have signified their consent to serve, if elected, shall be nominated for, or elected to, office.
Section 3.
A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee, notice of such election having been given. In case a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President shall become President and the vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled by the above procedure.
ARTICLE VII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Organization and of the Executive Committee at which he or she may be present; shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these By-laws or assigned to him or her by the Organization or by the Executive Committee; and shall coordinate the work of the officers and committees of the Organization in order that the Objectives may be promoted.
Section 2.
The Vice President shall act as an aid to the President and shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of that officer to act Ex-officio.
Section 3.
The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the Organization and of the Executive Committee; shall send out at least two (2) newsletters; shall update web/social media as decided upon from the board; and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him or her.
Section 4.
The Treasurer shall have custody of all Organization funds; shall keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures; and shall make disbursements in accordance with the approved budget, as authorized by the Organization, the Executive Committee or a special committee. The Treasurer shall present a financial statement at every meeting of the Organization and at other times when requested by the Executive Committee and shall make a full report at the annual budget meeting. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of such books of accounts and records as conform to the requirements of Article XII of the By-laws. The Treasurer shall prepare year-end financial statements and records for the organization’s Tax Accountant and shall provide such records in a timely manner to the Tax Accountant in order to conform to all applicable IRS requirements.
Both the Treasurer and the President shall be authorized users and signors on the organization’s bank account. All checks must be signed or shall be signed by the Treasurer or the President. In case of the Treasurer needing reimbursement for authorized organizational expenses, the check must be signed by the President. The Treasurer shall provide each executive board member with a copy of the organization’s bank statement and check register on a monthly basis so that the board members may periodically review and check the organization’s account for accuracy. The President shall have the authority and ability to access the organization’s online bank information at any time.
Section 5.
All officers shall:
a. Perform duties prescribed in parliamentary authority in addition to those outlined in these By-laws and those assigned from time to time.
b. Deliver to their successors all official materials not later than the end of the fiscal year (June 30).
Section 6.
a. Removal from office may occur by a majority vote of the Executive Board (including the President).
b. A Board member could be subject to removal at any such time that he or she fails to perform assigned duties, is corrupt, or engages in any act/behavior that brings dishonor to, or negates, the purpose and/or goals of this organization.
c. Removal shall take place only after the board has met in an effort to access and discuss the problem and all attempts have been made to resolve the problem.
ARTICLE VIII: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Organization, the chairmen of the standing committees, the principal of the school, and a representative of the faculty. The chairmen of the standing committees shall be selected by the President of the Organization. The members of the Executive Committee shall serve until the election and qualification of their successors.
Section 2.
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
a. To transact necessary business in the intervals between Organization meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the Organization.
b. To create standing committees.
c. To approve the plans of work of standing committees.
d. To present a report at the regular meeting of the Organization.
e. To approve routine expenditures within the limits of the budget and Article IX, Section 2
Section 3.
Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held during the school year, or as need arises. A possible two-thirds (2/3) as quorum of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX: BUDGET
Section 1.
At the last regular meeting of the school year, revenues and expenditures shall be reviewed in preparation for the annual budget meeting.
Section 2.
The outgoing and incoming Officers of the Organization, the Principal of the school, and a representative of the faculty shall prepare a budget prior to the end of the fiscal year (July 1st). The projected budget shall be presented to the membership at the first regular meeting of the year, to be approved by a simple majority vote. All expenditures within the realm of the approved budget are authorized expenditures. So that normal PTO business is not disrupted, the Board is authorized to act in good faith and make routine disbursements based on the proposed budget prior to it being ratified by the membership.
Section 3.
The Executive Committee may vote to allocate unbudgeted funds of $150.00 or less without bringing the request to the General Membership meeting for approval, not to exceed $500.00 per fiscal year.
ARTICLE X: MEETINGS
Section 1.
General PTO meetings shall be held to conduct the business of the PTO. Meetings shall be held monthly during the school year or at the discretion of the Executive Committee. These days are further defined to be within the school year calendar.
Section 2.
Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee, ten (10) days notice having been given.
Section 3.
Transactions of business in any meeting of this Organization shall be passed by a simple majority vote.
ARTICLE XI: STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Section 1.
The Executive Committee may create such standing committees as it may deem necessary to promote the objectives and carry on the work of the Organization. The term of each chairman shall be one year, or shall expire June 30, or until the election and qualification of his or her successor.
Section 2.
The chairman of each standing committee shall present a plan of work to the Executive Committee for approval.
a. No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the Executive Committee.
b. All written contracts shall be submitted to the Executive Officers for approval. Only the President or Treasurer is permitted to sign a binding contract with any 3rd party.
Section 3.
The power to form a special committee and appoint its members rests with the President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee. When such committee’s work is done, and its final report received and accepted or adopted, the committee’s existence shall automatically terminate,
ARTICLE XII: FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Organization shall begin on July 1 and end on the following June 30.
ARTICLE XIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
“Robert’s Rules of Order (Revised)” shall govern the Organization in all cases in which they are applicable and not in conflict with these By-laws.
ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
a. The By-laws of the Linglestown Elementary School PTO shall be reviewed and approved every two years.
b. These By-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Organization by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given at the previous meeting.
c. A committee may be appointed to submit a revised set of By-laws as a substitute for the existing By-laws only by a majority vote at a meeting of the Organization, or by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee. The requirements for adoption of a revised set of By-laws shall be the same as for amendment.
Amended 11/22/16 Page 4 of 5