Bylaws
John H. Siersma School
Parent Teacher Organization
City of Warren, Macomb County, Michigan
ARTICLE I NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.
Section 2. |
The name of this organization shall be the John H. Siersma Elementary School PTO (Parent Teacher Organization).
(a) The purpose of this organization shall be to bring a closer relationship between the home and the school and to promote cooperation between the parents and teachers thereby helping to increase their efficiency in educating the child. (b) To provide the opportunity for people to become involved in school activities. (c) To establish the opportunity for communication between the community and the school, to join in all areas of mutual interest. (d) To support the service groups of the John H. Siersma student body. (e) To cooperate with all other organizations that are working for the same purpose. |
ARTICLE II BASIC POLICIES
Section 1.
Section 2. Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. |
The programs of this association shall be educational and shall be developed through conferences, committees, and projects.
This organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian and non-partisan. It shall not endorse a commercial enterprise. This organization shall not seek to direct the administrative activities of the school or to control its policies. An amount not less than $2500.00 will be set aside as seed money for the upcommg year. An amount of not more the $25.00 may be requested per event for miscellaneous expenses related to the event. |
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Section 2. |
Any person interested in the purpose and objectives of the PTO and willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to its bylaws is eligible for membership at any time.
To be considered an active voting member, you must have attended at least two meetings and participated in a club function prior to elections. |
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1.
Section 2. |
(a) The elected officers of this organization shall be:
President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Public Relations (b) Officers shall serve from May through the following June (13 months) the six week overlap shall ensure a smooth transition of projects in progress. During the six-week overlap, the current board members are responsible for their office with input from the new officers encouraged. The new board members will use the six- week overlap time to assist the outgoing board members and to become familiar with their duties. ( c) A person shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same elected office. (d) Officers must attend a majority of meetings and functions as well as perform their specific duties. (a) A nominating chairman and at least one other member shall be appointed by the President before the month of March. Elected officers may not serve on this committee. The purpose of said committee is to insure at least one candidate for each office will accept nomination. (b) All candidates accepting nominations must be present at the time of voting. ( c) Open nominations will be accepted from the floor only if there are no nominations for that position. (d) Officers shall be elected by vote annually in the month of May. However, if there is but one candidate for any office, upon motion from the floor, they may be elected by acclamation. ( e) In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice- President shall temporarily become President. Vacancies shall be filled at the next meeting of the organization after nominations are accepted. The nominated person must be present at the time of election. |
ARTICLE V DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1.
Section 2. Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. |
All officers shall:
(a) Serve as information sources (b) Promote education and the school in a positive manner. (c) Represent the PTO at all organization-related functions. (d) Be available for consultations to new officers. ( e) Deliver to their successor all official material no later than 14 days following the expiration of their term in office and a handbook of their position. The President shall: (a) Preside at all general and special meetings of the organization and Executive board. (b) Call all special meetings. (c) Be a member ex officio of all committees except the committee for nominations. (d) Appoint all chairmen of standing and special cornmirtees. (e) Prepare the agenda for all general meetings. (f) Over see duties of other officers and committee chairpersons. The Vice-President shall: (a) Act as an aide to the President. (b) Perform duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to serve. (c) Be responsible for refreshments at all general meetings. (d) Audit bank statements against the check register monthly. The Secretary shall: (a) Record minutes of all meetings. (b) Hold a copy of the previous seven-year's minutes. ( c) Provide minutes of the previous meeting. ( d) Provide copies of the bylaws at each meeting. ( e) Conduct all correspondence of this organization. (f) Type and duplicate agenda and minutes of all general meetings. (g) Present all incoming correspondence at general meetings. The Treasurer shall: (a) Receive all money of the organization. (b) Keep a record of all receipts and expenditures. ( c) Payout funds as authorized by the organization. (d) Present a financial statement at all meetings. (e) Present a full report at the May meeting. Copies shall be available for members. (f) Submit books for audit. Make sure that Federal taxes are filed for the end of the fiscal year, August 31 st, and State taxes if applicable are to be filed by February 28th. (g) Submit all necessary information to accountant to prepare Federal income tax forms (fiscal year 9/1 -8/31). All Federal tax forms are , to be mailed in September. (h) If deemed necessary, mail quarterly tax payment to state. (i) Arrange for proper filing of Federal income tax statements as required by law to claim interest in the PTO checking account should it earn any interest. G) Any check written by the Treasurer for an amount over two hundred dollars will require a second signature on the check. (k) Make sure that the PTO bank statement is sent to the school address: 3100 Donna Warren Michigan 48091. (I) Make sure that the Vice-President examines the bank statement against check register on a monthly basis. (m) The Treasurer must sign and issue all checks. The Treasurer's signature must be on all two-signature checks. Public Relations shall: (a) Keep copies of all data pertaining to activities of the organization. This would include pictures, mementos, news articles and all information put out by the PTO. (b) Routinely issue press releases to local newspapers, local TV and cable stations regarding Siersma activities and events. (c) Be responsible for all new Siersma families who come into the school during the year by issuing a welcome kit and or a personal welcome to the school. Have these welcome kits available by March for the incoming Kindergarteners who are registering. |
ARTICLE VI EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1.
Section 2. Section 3. |
The executive board shall consist of the officers of this organization, the building Principal, or a representative appointed by them in the event of an absence.
The duties of the executive board shall be: ( a) To transact necessary business in the interval between organizational meetings. (b) To create and approve work of standing committees. (c) To approve routine bills within the limit of the treasury not to exceed $75.00 without approval of the general members. (d) To appoint a committee to review and revise the bylaws when necessary. Regular meetings of the executive board shall be held monthly during the school year, the time to be fixed by the board at its first meeting of the year. All activities shall be planned before the beginning of the school year and submitted to the Principal along with any building use forms. Five members shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings of the executive board may be called by the President or by a majority of the members of the board. |
ARTICLE VII STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1.
Section 2. Section 3. |
A standing committee shall be:
(a) Fundraising Committee (b) Nominating Committee Additional committees may be created by the executive board as may be required to promote the objectives and interests of this organization. The chairperson of each committee shall present a proposed plan of work and expenses to the executive board for approval. No committee work shall be undertaken without consent of the executive board. Chairpersons must provide a committee expense report at general meetings following the event they chaired. |
ARTICLE VII GENERAL MEETINGS
Section 1.
Section 2. Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. |
The general meetings of the organization shall be held monthly. All meetings shall start promptly at the announced time.
Special meetings of this organization may be called upon request of 5 members of the organization, with five days notice having been given. Any person wishing to have an item placed on the general meeting agenda must notify the President at least one week in advance of the meeting in writing. Any request of support from the PTO must be submitted in writing no less than one week prior to the meeting. The person requesting support must be present at said meeting where their request will be presented and voted upon. The annual meeting shall be in the month of May at which time election of officers will be held. Order of Business: 1. Call to order 2. Approval of minutes 3. Approval of Treasurer's report 4. Correspondence 5. Committee reports (a) Executive board (b) Standing committees (c) Special committees 6.Unfinished business 7 . New business 8. Comments and suggestions 9. Adjournment |
ARTICLE IX PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORlTY
Robert's Rules of Order, Revised shall govern this organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS
Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, or other persons, except that which 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 the purpose clause herof:
Any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Not withstanding any other provision of this document, 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(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code, corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Upon dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Please of the country in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
September 1988
Revised, October 1988
Amended, September 1998
Amended, February 2001
Amended, September 2001
Revised, November 2004
Revised, October 2007
Amended. May 2012
Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, or other persons, except that which 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 the purpose clause herof:
Any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Not withstanding any other provision of this document, 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(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code, corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Upon dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Please of the country in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
September 1988
Revised, October 1988
Amended, September 1998
Amended, February 2001
Amended, September 2001
Revised, November 2004
Revised, October 2007
Amended. May 2012