Operating as Easthampton Parent Teacher Organization

Article I Name and Limits

The organization shall be known as the Easthampton Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. The limits of the organization shall be pre-K through grade four.

Article II Purpose

To foster collaboration between Home and School. To support the family involvement segment of the Elementary School Plan. To support the family involvement segment of the Easthampton Public School District Plan.

Article III Membership

Membership in the organization shall be open to individual parent and or family units whose children are enrolled in pre-K through fourth grade of the Easthampton Public Schools. Membership is open to any teacher or administrator of the Easthampton Public Schools. Active members shall be defined as those members who have attended three or more scheduled meetings in a School Year between the months of September and March.

Article IV Officers

The officers of the organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers shall begin their duties on the first day of July and shall serve for a term of two years. No officer shall serve more than 2 consecutive terms. The duties are as follows: President - shall preside over all meetings, shall be annex-officio member of all standing and special committees, shall present the views of the organization, promote its growth and shall appoint an auditor annually. Vice-President- shall act as an aide to the President and preside in his/her absence. Secretary- shall keep an accurate record of all meetings, transpose, type, and photocopy and distribute the minutes as well as file all correspondence. Treasurer- shall receive all monies of the PTO, shall deposit the same, shall sign all checks, and shall present all bills for approval.

Article V Meetings

The meetings of the organization shall be held on the second Monday of the month.

 

Article VI Nominations and Elections

The President shall accept nominations from all Active members during the month of April. The election of new officers shall take place at the regularly scheduled meeting in May. All active members, excluding teacher or administrators shall have voting privileges in the election of officers. There shall be no voting by proxy. The Executive Board shall appoint parent, and teacher representatives for each school. Should a vacancy occur on the Executive Board, the Executive Board members shall appoint a replacement.

Article VII Revenue

Profits received from fundraising and donations shall be used only for PTO sponsored programs approved by the Executive Board, and are intended to promote the mission of the organization.

Article VIII Finance

The organization's books shall be audited once each year between the closing of the books on July 1 and the September meeting. The executive board shall determine the official depository. The executive board shall designate an alternate person to sign checks in the event that the Treasurer can not.

Article IX Rules of Order

The executive board shall determine the monthly meeting format.

Article X Amendments

Any amendments to these by-laws must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board and of the active members present with at least one week notice of the meeting be given. There shall be no voting by proxy. These by-laws shall be updated as needed but not more often than every two years.

Article XI Executive Board

The executive board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. Each member shall be an active member. The Executive Board shall determine the policies and activities of the organization, shall approve a budget, shall approve, all expenditures, and shall maintain the general management of the organization.

Article XII Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Board, the teacher representatives, and the parent (school) representatives. Each member shall be an active member. All member shall serve a two year term and shall begin on the first day of July. Parent representatives may be members of the Executive Board.

Article XIII Committees

The organization MAY consist of the following standing committees Membership Hospitality Publicity Newsletter Parent representative Teacher representative

Article XIV Duties of the Standing Committees

Membership-shall organize and carry out the annual September membership drive. Hospitality-shall plan and assist with appropriate hospitality for individual events. Publicity-shall promote and publicize all upcoming events. Newsletter- shall communicate the needs of the PTO to the entire elementary school community. Parent Representative-shall promote communication from the individual school parent community to PTO. Teacher Representative- shall maintain communication between the individual school teacher community and PTO.

Article XV Resignations

Any member wishing to resign prior to the end of their term shall provide a written resignation to the President.

Special Clauses

Not withstanding any other provisions of these articles, the organization is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under IRC 501 (C)(3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent tax laws. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall incur to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the organization, or any private individual except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the organization), and no member, trustee, officer of the organization or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the organization's assets on the dissolution of the organization. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by IRC 501 A(h) or participating in, or intervening in (including the publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidates for public offices. In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the organization shall after payment of necessary expenses therefore be distributed to such organizations as shall qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws, or to the Federal government or state or local government for a public purpose, subject to the approval of a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Massachusetts. In any taxable year in which the organization is a private foundation as described in IRC 509(a), the organization shall distribute its income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject it to tax under IRC 4942, and the organization shall not engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in IC 4941(d), (b) retain any excess business holdings as defined in IRC 4943(c), (c) make any investments in such a manner as to subject the organization 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.

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