By-Laws
INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
FRANCIS HOWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT
PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization is the Independence Elementary Parent – Teacher Organization.
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
Section 1: The objectives of the Organization are to:
A: To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, and to establish and maintain a working relationship between parents, school, and community.
B: To bring into close relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.
C: To develop between educators and the general public such united effort as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, and social education.
D: To provide a resource of concerned individuals who can be called upon to assist the school in the areas of volunteers, room parents, student activities, supplies and educational needs in any other areas where the school may require assistance beyond their own means.
Section 2: The objectives of this Organization are promoted through an educational program directed toward parents, teachers, and the general public; are developed through conferences,
committees, projects, programs, and fund raisers; and are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in Article III.
ARTICLE III – BASIC POLICIES
The basic policies of this Organization are as follows:
A. The Organization shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, nonpartisan, and non profit.
B. 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 (including the publishing or distribution of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
C. Upon any dissolution of the Organization, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Organization, dispose of all 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 1996 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine.
D. No part of the net earnings of the Organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, officers, or other private persons except that the Organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.
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. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Constitution and By-laws, the Organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an organization contributions to which are deductible under Section C 2 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United states Internal Revenue Law)
G. The Organization will 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.
H. The name of this Organization or the names of any members in their official capacity shall not be used in any connection with commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for any purposes not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the Organization.
ARTICLE IV- MEMBERSHIP
A. To be eligible for participation, an individual must be a parent, guardian, or teacher of a child enrolled in Independence Elementary, or any resident of Francis Howell School District
interested in the welfare of the district. Membership in this Organization shall be available without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
Section 1: A. The officers of the Organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Fund Raising Chairperson, and four Members-at-Large.
B. These officers shall be elected annually by ballot no later than the last general meeting of the school year. If there is but one nominee for any office, however, the election may be by voice.
C. Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the fiscal school year and shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. No person shall serve more than
two consecutive terms in the same office.
Section 2: A. A vacancy occurring in an office shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, due notice of such a meeting having been given. In case a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice-president shall serve notice of the meeting.
B. At the election meeting, the committee will pass out ballots, count totals and make the results known to the President who will announce the results. The candidates receiving the most votes will be declared the elected.
C. Officers for the following year shall meet with the first Executive Committee at a transition meeting of the new school year.
ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Organization and of the Executive Committee; shall be a member ex-officio of all committees and shall perform all other duties usually pertaining to the office.
Section 2: The Vice President shall act as aide to the President and shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of that officer.
Section 3: The Secretary shall keep, in a bound book, a correct record of all meetings of the Organization and of the executive committee. Shall handle all correspondence and publicity for the Organization and other duties as may be delegated.
Section 4: The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the Organization and shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures; and shall pay out local and or non budgeted funds only when
authorized by the Organization. The treasurer shall present a statement of account 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 meeting. The Treasurer’s accounts shall be examined annually by a committee of three members of the PTO or a qualified non-member appointed by the executive committee.
Section 5: The Fundraising Chairperson shall act as aid to the Vice President and shall perform the duties of the Vice President in his or her absence and chair the Fundraising Committee.
Section 6: The Treasurer and President shall have the authority to sign PTO checks.
Section 7: The officers of Treasurer, President, Vice President and Fundraising Chairperson shall be bonded. Amount of the bond will be determined annually by the Executive Committee at the first Executive Committee meeting for the year.
Section 8: All officers shall:
1. Perform the duties prescribed in the parliamentary authority in addition to those outlined in these by-laws and those assigned from time to time.
2. Deliver to their successors all official materials not later than ten days after their successors assume office.
3. Provide a job description of their office, including duties and responsibilities for
incoming Executive Committee members.
ARTICLE VII – THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: The Executive Committee shall consist of the following:
A. The Officers of the Organization.
B. The Chairpersons of the standing committees
C. The Principal.
D. A faculty representative for each grade level, one from Special Areas,
one from Special Education to be appointed by the faculty and administration.
E. The past President may serve as a member of the Executive Committee at his or her discretion.
Section 2: The duties of the Executive Committee are to:
A. Transact necessary business of the Organization.
B. Approve the plans of the standing committees.
C. Present a report at the regular meetings of the Organization.
Section 3:
A. A regular meeting of the Executive Committee shall be held monthly with the approval
of the Executive Committee when school is in session.
B. Special meetings may be called by the President.
C. A simple majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. A simple
majority of the quorum (those present) is necessary for a motion to be passed.
ARTICLE VIII – STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1: Standing committees shall be created by the Executive Committee as may be required to promote the objectives and interests of the Organization. Those recommended are Needs, Fund Raising, Program, Parent Volunteers, and Room Parents. The chairpersons for the committees will be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee, with the exception of the Needs and Fundraising. Term of office will be one year.
Section 2: The chairpersons of all standing committees shall present plans of work to the Executive Committee, and no committee work shall be undertaken without the approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 3: Special committees may be appointed by the President or the Executive Committee.
Section 4: The President shall be a member ex-officio of all committees and shall be notified of all meetings.
ARTICLE IX – FINANCIAL RECORDS
The Treasurer’s account will be made available for inspection by any member, at any official meeting.
ARTICLE X – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED shall govern the Organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
The BY-LAWS may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting, providing that notice of the proposed amendment was given.
Amendments shall become effective immediately.
1. The Treasurer shall maintain and budget for a minimum balance of $1000.00 to carry forward to the following school year.
2. Unbudgeted expenditures of more than $500.00 must be authorized by a majority vote of the members present at a general meeting of the organization.