Article I – Name
The name of the organization is the Hiawatha Parent-Teacher-Organization (“PTO” or “Organization”). It is a local PTO.
Article II – Objectives
Section 1.
The Objectives of the Hiawatha PTO are:
a. To enrich the lives of children and youth in home, school, and community.
b. To encourage a positive home life.
c. To facilitate teachers and parents working together for the enrichment of children.
d. To build a partnership within our Hiawatha community that will encourage the growth and development of our children.
Section 2.
The Objectives of the Hiawatha PTO are promoted through an education program directed towards parents, teachers, and the general public; are developed through committees, projects, and programs; and are qualified by the Policies set forth in Article III.
Section 3.
The Organization is organized exclusively for the charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code (hereinafter “Internal Revenue Code”).
Article III – Policies
Section 1.
The following are basic Policies of the Hiawatha PTO:
a. The Organization shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.
b. The Organization or members in their official capacities shall not endorse a commercial entity or engage in activities not related to promoting the Objectives of the Organization.
c. The Organization or members in their official capacities 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 devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise.
d. The Organization shall work with the schools to provide quality education for all children and youth and shall seek to participate in the decision-making process establishing school policy, recognizing that the legal responsibility to make decisions has been delegated by the people to the boards of education, state education authorities, and local education authorities.
e. No part of the net earnings of the Organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, directors, trustees, officers, or other private individuals 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 II hereof.
f. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the Organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on
(i) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or
(ii) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
g. Upon the dissolution of the Organization, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the Organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more nonprofit funds, foundations, or organizations that have established their
Article IV – Obligations
Section 1.
This local PTO shall be deemed to adhere to the Objectives and Policies of this local PTO.
Section 2.
The Articles of Organization of this local PTO include (a) the ByLaws of such Organization and (b) the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.
ByLaws of this local PTO shall include a provision on amendments.
Section 4.
ByLaws of this local PTO shall include a provision establishing a quorum.
Section 5.
Each officer or board member of this local PTO shall be a member of this local PTO.
Section 6.
The ByLaws of this local PTO shall prohibit voting by proxy, (unless applicable state law specifies proxy voting).
Section 7.
The general membership of this local PTO shall be considered members of the nominating committee.
Section 8.
This local PTO shall keep such permanent books of accounts and records as shall be sufficient to establish the items of gross income, receipts, and disbursements of the Organization, including, specifically, the number of its members. Such books of account and records shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection.
Section 9.
This local PTO is obligated, upon withdrawal:
a. To yield up and surrender all of its books and records and all of its assets and property to the school.
b. To carry out promptly, all proceedings necessary or desirable for the purpose of dissolving the Hiawatha PTO.
Article V – Membership and Dues
Section 1.
The General Members of the Hiawatha PTO shall be:
a. Parents, step-parents or guardians of students and all other interested extended family members.
b. All Hiawatha teachers, administrators and support staff.
Section 2.
Honorary Members of the Hiawatha PTO may be:
a. Patrons and community members who have had or will have children attending Hiawatha Elementary or former teachers, administrators and support staff.
Section 3.
Voting Privileges:
a. Each General Member will have one vote.
b. Honorary Membership status given to an individual entitles that individual one vote.
c. The President of the PTO is a member but must refrain from voting; the President may only cast a vote when that vote is needed in a tie-break.
Section 4.
Membership in this local PTO shall be made available without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin.
Section 5.
This local PTO shall conduct an annual enrollment of members but may admit individuals to
Article VI – Officers (Executive Board)
Section 1.
The officers of this local PTO shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2.
Officers shall be elected by nominations, conducted by a vote, in the month of April.
Section 3.
The vote will be conducted by secret ballot; however, the officers may opt to conduct a vote verbally if a candidate is running unopposed. A majority vote of registered members present shall be required for election.
Section 4.
The following provisions shall govern the qualifications and eligibility of individuals to be officers of the Hiawatha PTO:
Each officer shall be a member of this local PTO.
a. Each officer may be eligible to serve consecutive terms in the same office.
b. A person who has served in an office for more than one half of a full term shall be deemed to have served a full term in such office.
Section 5.
Officers shall assume their official duties following the close of the meeting in April in which they are elected and shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.
Section 6.
The Vice-President shall fill a vacancy occurring in the office of President for the remainder of the term. A vacancy in any office other than President shall be filled by nominations, conducted by a verbal vote.
Article VII – Duties of Officers
Section 1.
The President shall:
a. Preside at general and annual meetings of this local PTO;
b. Serve as an exercising member of all committees;
c. Coordinate the work of the officers and committees of this local PTO in order that the Objectives may be promoted;
d. Appoint Committee Chairpersons with the approval of the Board, including a nominating committee in February; and
e. Perform such other duties as may be provided for by these ByLaws.
f. President will have signatory authority to sign disbursement checks that the treasurer has authorized.
Section 2.
The Vice-President shall:
a. Act as
b. Attend PTO meetings
c. Perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence or inability to serve;
d. Shall be the Committee Chair for Fundraising
e. Perform such other duties as may be provided for by these ByLaws.
Section 3.
The Secretary shall:
a. Record the minutes of the general and annual meetings of this Hiawatha PTO;
b. Publish and distribute a summary of the minutes within five (5) school days or sooner;
c. Prepare a summary of all unfinished business for the use of the President and Board;
d. Be prepared to read the records of any previous meetings;
e. Have a current copy of the ByLaws;
f. Keep a calendar of PTO and school events;
g. Maintain a membership list; and
h. Perform such other duties as may be provided for by these ByLaws.
i. With input from all interested Hiawatha PTO members, set the agenda;
j. Publish agenda five (5) days prior to
Section 4.
The Treasurer shall:
a. Have custody of the funds of this local PTO;
b. Attend PTO meetings;
c. Maintain a full account of the funds of this local PTO;
d. Make disbursements as authorized by the President, or this local PTO, in accordance with the budget adopted by this local PTO;
e. Have checks or vouchers signed by the Treasurer and the President;
f. Cause to be kept a full and accurate account of the receipts and disbursements in the books belonging to the Hiawatha PTO;
g. Present an annual report of the financial condition of the Organization; and
h. Perform such other duties as may be provided for by these ByLaws.
i.
Article VIII – Committees
Section 1.
Members of this local PTO shall be eligible to serve in any elective or appointive positions.
Section 2.
The Hiawatha PTO may create such standing and special committees as it may deem necessary to promote the Objectives of this local PTO and carry on the work of this local PTO.
Section 3.
Each committee chair may be eligible to serve consecutive terms, until the selection of a successor.
Section 4.
A Nomination Committee will be formed in February, consisting of at least one staff member and one parent (with a minimum of three members).
Section 5.
Committee chairperson and treasurer will count all funds before turning over to treasurer and report committee funds spent and made at the next PTO meeting.
Article IX – General Membership Meetings
Section 1.
Various meetings will be listed on the school calendar to be set in June.
Section 2.
Any board member may call special meetings of this local PTO as needed.
Section 3.
The annual meetings shall be held in April.
Section 4.
A minimum of 5 registered members present, including two officers, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business in any meeting of this local PTO.
Section 5.
The Executive Board may vote on matters requiring immediate action, with three Executive Officers constituting a quorum. The Executive Committee may vote to allocate PTO funds, up to one hundred and fifty dollars, as needed. Such decisions will be reported to the PTO and be recorded in the minutes at the next regular meeting.
Section 6.
The President or Treasurer will collect all invoices during the regularly held general membership meetings. Invoices may be turned in to the Hiawatha Elementary School Secretary if they are provided in a sealed envelope labeled with instructions to deliver to the President or Treasurer of the PTO. In addition, you must include a note indicating what the invoice is for and to whom the reimbursement check should be made out to. No exceptions will be given.
Section 7.
The President or Treasurer will distribute all reimbursements for the invoices during any of the regularly held general membership meetings. Reimbursements may also be picked up from the Hiawatha Elementary School Secretary if you indicate this on the note provided with the invoice. No exceptions will be given.
Article X – Amendments
Section 1.
These ByLaws may be amended at any regular general membership meeting of this Hiawatha PTO by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendments has been provided to the membership two weeks prior to the meeting.
Section 2.
A committee may be appointed by a majority vote at a general membership meeting of this local PTO to submit a revised set of ByLaws as a substitute for the existing ByLaws.
Section 3.
All amendments must be approved by a majority vote of registered members present at the meeting. A quorum must be present to approve or deny any bylaw amendments.
6-9-07 Made amendment to Article IX, Section 1.