++Constitution and Bylaws of the Midland Parent Teacher Organization
Rye, NY 10580
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this not-for-profit organization shall be the Midland School Parent-Teacher Organization, hereinafter “the PTO.”
ARTICLE II
OBJECT/PURPOSE
The Midland Elementary School PTO exists to positively impact the lives of all children and families in our community through advocacy, leadership and communication. The PTO serves as a liaison between the Midland families and teachers, administrators and the broader community.
The PTO is responsible for coordinating volunteer activities that help to raise money for the school and build a sense of community through parent involvement. The PTO is charged with determining where the proceeds of funds raised will be used. Uses for PTO-generated funds include, but are not limited to: cultural and educational enrichment opportunities, need based scholarship offerings and facility improvements as needed.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws of the PTO, the PTO is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws.
ARTICLE III
POLICIES
Section 1. The PTO shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan. No commercial enterprise and no candidate shall be endorsed by it. Neither the PTO’s name nor the names of its officers or Executive Board members shall be used in connections with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest for any purpose other than the regular work associated with the objects of the PTO.
Section 2. No substantial part of the activities of the PTO shall carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by IRC 501(h)) or participate in or intervene in (including the publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidates for public office.
Section 3. The PTO may cooperate with other organizations, agencies, conference groups, coordinating councils, or ad hoc committees whose purposes are allied with the purposes of the PTO.
Section 4. No part of the net earnings of the PTO shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the PTO or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the PTO), and no member, trustee, officer or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the PTO assets on dissolution of the PTO.
Section 5. In any taxable year in which the PTO is a private foundation as described in IRC 509(a), the PTO shall distribute its income for said period at such time and in such manner as not to subject the PTO to tax under IRC 4944; or (d) make any taxable expenditures as defined in IRC 4945(d) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERS/MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Any Midland parent or guardian, teacher or staff member interested in fostering the purposes of the PTO and willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to its constitution and bylaws may be accepted into membership in accordance with its bylaws.
Section 2. The annual dues for members of the PTO shall be determined annually by the Executive Board.
Section 3. Every member in good standing shall be entitled to vote at all meetings of the general membership and for all elective offices and shall be qualified for election to office.
Section 4. (a) Petitions for expulsions may originate from any member. A petition shall be submitted to the Executive Board in writing, and shall contain a statement of charges against the accused, which shall be signed by not fewer than five members in good standing.
(b) The Executive Board shall investigate all petitions. Upon a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Executive Board, the matter shall be reported to the general membership. Upon a two-thirds affirmative vote of the general membership, the member will be expelled from the PTO.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held approximately every 4 weeks. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the president(s) as needed. Meetings may also be called at the request of three members of the Executive Board.
Section 2. At least six meetings of the general membership shall be held annually. Dates of the meetings will be established annually by the Executive Board and will be announced to all members.
Section 3. (a) A majority of the members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
(b) Notice of general membership meetings shall be made via email and posted on the Midland website. Those present at any meeting of the general membership shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI
FINANCES
Section 1. The fiscal year of the PTO shall begin on July 1 of each year and shall end on June 30 of the following year.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall be responsible for preparing and submitting a budget for the PTO to the general membership for approval not later than the June meeting. A majority of those present and voting shall be required for approval.
Section 3. Individual expenditures not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200) may be authorized by the Executive Board for unbudgeted items. Expenditures over two hundred dollars must be approved by a simple majority of those present and voting at a general membership meeting.
Section 4. No Committee work or commitment with outside vendors shall be undertaken without the approval of a co-treasurer, as representatives for the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The officers of the PTO shall consist of co-Presidents, a Secretary, co- Treasurers, a Vice President for Community Relations, a Vice President for Curriculum Enrichment, a Vice President of Fund Raising, the Midland Express Editor and the school Principal. They shall constitute the Executive Board. Such officers are responsible for choosing committee chairs for all PTO sponsored events and directing the use of funds raised by the PTO. The Executive Board proposes and votes on an annual budget and determines how the annual gift fund gets allocated. In addition, the Executive Board advocates on behalf of children and teachers with the principal and the Board of Education, as necessary. Any voting requires a majority of the Executive Board to pass.
Section 2. The co-Presidents shall propose the slate for the Executive Board for the following school year to the current Executive Board at the May meeting. The approved slate will be presented at the May PTO meeting, for voting on by the general membership. A majority of those present shall be required for approval. All officers of the Executive Board shall be elected for a term of two years, coinciding with the PTO’s fiscal year. No officer shall be eligible for the same office for more than two consecutive years. The privilege of holding office and voting shall be limited to PTO members in good standing whose dues are fully paid. The co-Presidents shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the general membership. They shall be ex officio members of all committees. They shall perform all duties conferred upon them by the Executive Board to further the purposes of the PTO, and they shall perform all duties normally incumbent upon the position.
Section 3. The Secretary shall keep a correct record of all meetings of the general membership. He or she shall prepare copies of minutes for distribution to all members. The Secretary shall handle the correspondence relating to the PTO and shall maintain the Constitution and the Bylaws.
Section 4. The co-Treasurers shall receive all monies of the PTO, shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, and shall pay out authorized funds. The co-Treasurers shall prepare an annual report for audit and complete and file any required state or federal forms. At the beginning of each school year, the co-Treasurers will communicate budgets and goals directly to each committee chair.
Section 5. The Vice President for Community Relations shall work on outreach activities for new and incoming families, working parents, teacher appreciation events and grade specific events.
Section 6. The Vice President for Curriculum Enrichment shall enhance the educational experiences that our children have by enriching the curriculum in conjunction with the teachers. Specifically, the Vice President for Curriculum Enrichment shall oversee the teacher grant process, as well as the distribution of grade level curriculum enrichment funds.
Section 7. The Vice President for Fund Raising shall oversee any school event which raises funds for the PTO, ensuring that all events are run in the most economical way.
Section 8. The Midland Express representative shall work closely with the Executive Board and all committee chairs to ensure that accurate and timely information about school events is presented to the general membership on a regular basis.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees and Chairs shall be nominated by the co-Presidents and voted on by the Executive Board as may be required to promote the objectives and interest of the PTO.
Section 2. The Chairs of all Standing Committees will receive budgets and goals pertaining to their committees by the co-Treasurers as representatives to the Executive Board. No committee work or commitments with outside vendors shall be undertaken without the approval of the co-Treasurers as representatives to the Executive Board.
Section 3. Ad hoc committees may be formed by the Executive Committee to serve specific purposes with a short or definite duration. Ad Hoc committee chairs will be appointed by the co-Presidents in consultation with the Executive Board.
Section 4. In cases where there would be an apparent benefit to the PTO, co-chairs may be elected for any Standing or Ad Hoc Committee.
ARTICLE IX
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall govern the PTO in all cases to which they apply and in which they are not inconsistent with the constitution and bylaws of the PTO.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT AND REVISIONS
Section 1. Amendments and/or revisions to the bylaws may be proposed by any member of the PTO.
Section 2. Amendments and/or revisions to the bylaws may be adopted by a majority vote of the general membership at a PTO meeting, provided the general membership has two weeks’ notice of the proposed amendments.
Section 3. The vote to dissolve the PTO shall be held at a general membership meeting, or by referendum, by mail of the general membership, whichever the Executive Committee shall direct. The PTO may be dissolved whenever three-quarters of the general membership shall so approve.
Section 4. If the PTO is dissolved, all assets are to be donated to Midland School after all debts incurred by the PTO shall have been satisfied. If Midland School does not exist or is not in a position to accept such donation, all assets will be donated to the Rye City School District.
