WYNANTSKILL PARENT/TEACHER ORGANIZATION
Wynantskill Union Free School District
Wynantskill, New York
ARTICLE I – Name
The name of the association is the Wynantskill Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) {to be referred to in this document as the organization}.
ARTICLE II – Articles of Organization
The organization exists as an unincorporated association of its members. Its Articles of Organization are these Bylaws, as from time to time amend or revised.
ARTICLE III – Purposes
Section 1 The objects of the organization are:
{a} To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school and community;
{b} To foster growth and development of the education program;
{c} To foster better working relationships among parents, school staff, board of education, and community;
{d} To bring awareness and the experience of cultural programs into the lives of our children;
{e} To foster community and social development between teachers and parents;
{f) To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental and social education;
Section 2 The objects of the Organization are promoted through an educational program directed toward parents, teachers and the general public; they are 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 basic policies of the organization are as follows:
{a} The name of the Organization or the names of the members in their official capacities shall not be used in connection with a commercial, sectarian or partisan concern.
{b} The Organization shall work with the school to provide quality education for all children and youth and shall offer advice/recommendations in the decision-making process establishing school policy, recognizing that the legal responsibility to make decisions has been delegated by the people to the Board of Education.
{c} The Organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies, but persons representing the Organization shall make no commitments that bind the organization; and
{d} In the event of the dissolution of the Organization, it’s assets shall be dispensed in accordance with existing New York Law.
ARTICLE V – Membership and Dues
Section 1 Any person who subscribes to the objects and basic policies of the Organization may become a member upon payment of the annual dues, subject to compliance with the bylaws. Membership in the Organization shall be made available without regard to race, color, creed or national origin.
Section 2 The organization shall conduct an annual enrollment of members, but may admit persons to membership anytime.
Section 3 The membership year shall end on September 30.
Section 4 Only members of the organization shall be eligible to participate in the meetings of the organization or to serve in any of its elective or appointive positions. Non-members shall be eligible to attend Organization meetings.
Section 5 Each member of the Organization shall pay annual dues of $5.00 to the organization for both single and/or family membership.
ARTICLE VI – Officers and Their Election
{a} The officers of the organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, a Treasurer and a Recording Secretary. Should the current President decide not to run for another term, there may be a President-Elect. The President-Elect would work with the outgoing president to learn the duties of the office.
{b} Officers shall be elected by vote at the May meeting of the organization of the current school year. However, if there is but one nominee for any office, the Recording Secretary may cast the vote of the organization for the nominee.
{c} Officers shall take office July 1st of the following school year and shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.
{d} No person shall hold more than one office at the same time.
{e} If necessary, a nomination committee shall be formed at least two (2) months prior to the May meeting.
Section 2 Nominations
{a} A nomination may be made by a current paid member of the Organization.
{b} Only those persons who have consented to serve, if elected, shall be nominated for or elected to office.
{c} Any person who has paid membership dues for the current membership year shall be eligible for nomination to office.
Section 3 Vacancies
Any vacancy in office because of death, resignation or inability to serve shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the un-expired portion of the term. However, should a vacancy occur in the office of the President, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the office. Should a vacancy occur in the office of the Vice-President for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by election at the next regular meeting of the membership, consistent with the procedures established herein.
ARTICLE VII – Duties of Officers
Section 1 The President shall:
{a} Preside at all meetings of the Organization at which he or she may be present;
{b} Be a member ex-officio of all committees except the nominating committee;
{c} Coordinate the work of the officers and committees of the Organization in order that the objects of the Organization may be promoted;
{d} Perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws or assigned to him/her by the Organization.
{e} The president shall vote only in the case of a tie in a vote of the Executive Committee or the membership.
Section 2 The vice president shall:
{a} Act as aide to the president; and
{b} Perform, in their designated order, the duties of the president in the absence or inability of the officer to act.
Section 3 The treasurer shall:
{a} Have custody of all of the funds of the organization;
{b} Keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures;
{c} Make disbursements in accordance with the budget adopted by the Organization, as authorized by the president, or other officers of the Organization;
{d} Present a financial statement at every meeting of the association and at other times when requested by the Executive Board;
{e} Present a full annual report, of the previous fiscal year, at the September meeting.
Section 4 The Recording secretary shall:
{a} Record all minutes of all meeting of the Organization;
{b} Maintain a permanent file of the minutes, committee reports, and records pertaining to the work of the Organization.
{c} Shall keep a signed copy of the bylaws
Section 5 Each officer shall:
{a} Perform the duties outlined in the bylaws, and those assigned from time to time; and
{b} Upon expiration of his/her term of office or in case of resignation deliver to his/her successor all materials pertaining to his/her office not later than 10 days following the transfer of office.
ARTICLE VIII – Meetings of the Organization
A minimum of 8 regular meetings of the organization shall be held during the school year, the dates and times to be established by the officers at it’s first meeting of the year. Under normal circumstances, five (5) days’ notice shall be given of a change of date.
The June meeting shall be the meeting at which the newly elected officers shall be installed.
Special meetings of the Organization may be called by any officer of the Organization. Upon the written request of 30% of the membership, the president shall call a special meeting. Three (3) days’ notice of any special meeting shall be given.
A quorum shall consist of the members present at any regular or special meeting. A majority of the members present shall constitute a majority vote of the organization. The President shall cast one vote in the case of a tie.
ARTICLE IX – Committees
The Executive Committee may establish Standing Committees, as it deems necessary and advisable. The President shall appoint the chairpersons of all Standing Committees, who shall serve as ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. Only voting members may serve as chairpersons. The chairpersons of each committee shall recruit the members for his or her committee. Any regular member may serve as a committee member. The chairperson shall report the plans and activities of the committee to the Executive Committee, which must approve all reports.
The President and/or Executive Committee may create Special Committees. Special Committees shall be created for a specific time and/or task and shall cease to exist when that time or task has been completed. The President shall appoint the chairpersons of all Special Committees. Only voting members may serve as chairpersons. Any regular member may serve as a committee member. The chairpersons shall report the plans and activities of the committee to the Executive Committee, which must approve all such reports.
ARTICLE X – Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on July 1st and end on the following June 30th. The budget for the following school year should be approved at the last meeting of the year.
At the close of each fiscal year, an audit (review) will be done on the year’s financial statement. The audit will be completed after all the year’s financial obligations have been met. It will be done by an impartial committee (3 members) or an auditor. At the time of the audit by the committee members, the treasurer and the president shall be in attendance. If satisfied that the year’s financial statement is correct, the auditor or impartial committee shall sign a statement of that fact at the end of the report.
ARTICLE XI – Non-inurnment
No loans shall be made.
ARTICLE XII – Amendments
Section 1
These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the voting members at any regular or special meeting.
Every three (3) years, the bylaws shall be reviewed, revised if necessary, and re-approved by the organization.
ARTICLE XIII – Executive Committee and Executive Board
The Executive Committee shall consist of the four (4) officers of the organization.
Section 2 The Executive Board shall consist of the four (4) officers, Superintendent or Principal and faculty delegate.
The duties of the Executive Board shall be:
{a} To transact necessary business in the intervals between regular meetings of the organization and such other business as may be referred to it by the Organization.
{b} To present a report at the next regular scheduled meeting of the organization.
The duty of the Executive Committee shall be to meet at the call of the president and perform only those duties pertaining to an advisory body or of such nature as to require action between meetings of the Executive Board.
Meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the president and shall be called by the president upon request of a majority of the members of the board, as needed.
Revisions: Article VI – Section 1 (a); (b); (c); (e), Section 2 (b); (d)
Article VIII – Section 1, Section 2, Section 4
Article IX – Section 1, Section 2
Article X – Section 1
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President Date
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Recording Secretary Date