Lincoln Elementary PTO INC. bylaws
Article 1-Name and Purpose:
The Lincoln Parent Teacher Organization Incorporated is made up of parents and Teachers from Lincoln Elementary School district for the sole purpose of enhancing the educational process for all students, to help cover what the state budget does not allow for and make the school an inviting and fun place for our students and their families
Article 2-Objectives:
The objectives of the Lincoln PTO INC shall be:
- To promote the welfare and youth in home, school and community
- To raise the standards of home life
- To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth
- To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the training of the child
- To develop between the educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for every child the highest advantages in physical, mental and social education
Article 3-Basic Policies:
Section 1
The objective of the Lincoln PTO INC shall be promoted through an educational program directed toward parents, teachers and the general public and shall be developed through conferences, committees and projects and shall be governed and qualified by the policies set forth in this article.
Section 2
The organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian and non-partisan. It shall not endorse a commercial enterprise or a candidate running for office. 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 other purpose than the regular work of the organization.
Section 3
This organization shall not-directly or indirectly-participate or intervene (in and way including the publishing or distributing of statements) in any political campaign on behalf or, in opposition to, any candidate for public office, or devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities in attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise.
Section 4
This organization shall seek neither to direct the administrative activities of the school nor to control its policies.
Section 5
This organization may cooperate with the other organizations and agencies active in child welfare, such as conference groups or coordination councils, provided its representative make no commitments that bind the group he represents.
Section 6
No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 1 hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing of distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on(a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United State Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).
Section 7
Upon dissolution of the organization, the officers shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all of the assets of the organization exclusively for the purposes of the organization in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable , educational or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the officers shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Article 4- Membership and Dues:
Section 1
Any parent, guardian or teacher interested in the objectives of the Lincoln PTO INC who is willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to its bylaws, may become a member by signing an enrollment form.
Section 2
There will be no annual dues for membership in the Lincoln PTO INC. However, parents, guardians and teachers will be asked to participate in fundraising activities or to make to contributions for the operating expenses of the PTO.
Section 3
An annual enrollment of members shall be conducted and additional members shall be accepted at any time during the school year.
Article 5-Officers and Their Election:
Section 1 (a)
The officers of the organization shall be Co-Presidents, Co-Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator, two teacher representatives. It will not be mandatory for more than one co-officer to act at any one time.
Section 1 (b)
Officers of this organization shall be elected annually and installed by the end of May of the school year. (revised June 1st, 2015)
Section 1 (c)
Officers, with the exception of the Treasurer, shall assume their duties at the close of the meeting in May, and shall serve for a term of one year and/or until a successor has been elected. The Treasurer shall assume his/her duties at the close of the school year following the annual audit. The Treasurer will be bonded at the expense of the PTO before assuming his/her duties.
Section 1 (d)
A person shall not be eligible to serve more than three consecutive terms in the same office unless the position is unchallenged. **updated August 2011
Section 2 (a)
There shall be a nominating committee consisting of three members appointed during the month of March. The President shall appoint one of the three to serve as the chairman of the committee.
Section 2 (b)
The nominating committee shall select one nominee for each office to be filled and will report the nominations at the regular Spring PTO Meeting.
Section 2 (c)
Following the report of the nominating committee, an opportunity shall be given for nominations from the floor.
Section 2 (d)
Only those who have consented to serve if elected shall be eligible for nomination either by the committee of from the floor.
Section 3
A vacancy occurring in any office, other than that of the Co-Presidents, shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the executive committee. PTO members shall be notified of such elections by the Executive Committee (via note or public meeting). In case of a vacancy in the office of Co-President, a Co-Vice- President shall assume the office of the Co-President.
Article 6-Duties of Officers
Section 1: The Co-Presidents
Shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive committee: shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these Bylaws (or assigned by the organization or by the executive committee); shall coordinate the work of the officers and committees, in order that the objectives may be promoted. The Co-Presidents shall be bonded and will have check signing ability along with the treasures.
Section 2: The Co-Vice Presidents
Shall act as an aide to the CO-President and shall perform the duties or the Co-President in the absence or inability of that officer to serve; shall assume the office of Co-President in the event of vacancy of that office (due to the resignation or other cause) and shall advance to the office of Co-President upon completion of the Co-President’s term of office; shall be in charge of committees as determined by the Executive Committee.
The Vice-President shall serve two years, the first as a vice-president and the second year as President.
Section 3: The Secretary
Shall record the minutes of all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Committee and shall perform other such duties as delegated to him/her by the Executive Committee.
Section 4: The Treasurer
Shall receive all monies of the organization; shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures and shall prepare a monthly report to be kept by the Executive Committee and available to parents in the school office: shall pay out local funds in accordance with the approved budget as authorized by the organization, and at other times when requested by the executive committee; shall make a full report at the Spring meeting; shall be in charge of fundraising. The Treasurer shall be bonded and accounts shall be examined annually by an independent, licensed auditor by the end of June. ABSOLUTELY NO EMPLOYEE OF THE WARSAW LINCOLN (revised June 1st, 2015) COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MAY SERVE AS TREASURER. All checks must be signed by TWO PTO members (co-presidents and/or co-treasurers). If any other officer is an employee of Warsaw Community Schools, he/she may NOT sign checks written by the PTO.
The treasurer shall serve a term of two years. The first year shall be as an apprentice to the treasurer serving his/her second year.
Section 5: The Teacher Representatives
The teacher representatives will gather information regarding school needs and staff desires needed by the PTO in order to make informed decisions. They will serve as liaisons between the PTO and the Lincoln faculty.
Section 6
All officers shall (a) perform the duties prescribed in the parliamentary authority, in addition to those outlined in these Bylaws and those assigned from time to time, and (b) deliver to their successors all official material by the end of June or when the succeeding officers assume their duties.
Article 7 Meetings
Section 1:
There are to be at least two regular meetings per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. (Open House and Awards Day)
Section 2:
The Executive Committee will hold monthly meetings and the dates and times of the meetings will be published in the school newsletter or by the PTO. All members of the PTO may attend Executive Committee meetings and make comments or suggestions regarding the business on the agenda.
Article 8 Executive Committee
Section 1:
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the organization, the chairmen of standing committees, and the principal of the school or his/her representative. The members of the executive committee shall serve until their successors have assumed office.
Section 2:
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
- To transact necessary business in the intervals between organization meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the organization.
- To create standing committees
- To approve plans of work of the standing committees or officers
- To develop a budget to be approved by the organization members at the spring meeting
- To approve expenditures over $25.00 (a budget should be approved at the spring meeting. All other expenditures should be approved by the majority of the officers of the PTO. Record of approval of expenditures should be kept in the minutes of the meetings).
- To appoint an independent, licensed auditor.
- To plan and prepare fundraising, social and other events that will benefit the school and community.
Article 9 Standing and Special Committees
Section 1:
Such standing committees shall be created by the Executive Committee as deemed necessary to promote the objectives and carry on the work of the organization. The chairperson of the standing committees shall be selected by the officers of the organization and the principal of the school or his/her representative. Their term shall be one year.
Section 2:
The chairperson of a standing committee shall present a plan of work to the Executive Committee for approval. No committee wok shall be undertaken without the consent of the Executive Committee.
Section 3:
The power to form special committees and appoint their members rests with the organization or the Executive Committee. Since a special committee is created and appointed for a specific purpose, it automatically goes out of existence when its work is done and its final report is received.
Section 4:
The Co-Presidents shall be an ex-officio member to all committees except the nominating committee.
Article 10 Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable.
Article 11 Amendments
Section1:
- These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided notice of the proposed amendments(s) shall be provided to the members prior to the meeting,
- A committee may be appointed to submit a revised set of Bylaws as a substitute for those Bylaws only by a majority vote at the meeting of the organization or by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee.