Article I - Name

The name of the organization shall be the Columbia Elementary PTO


Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the organization is to support the education ofthe children at Columbia Elementary by fostering relationships among theschool, parents and teachers.


Article III - Members

Any parent, guardian or care-giver of a student at ColumbiaElementary may be a member and shall have any voting rights and freedom forinput. The principal and any teacher employed at the school may be a member andhave the same rights of voting/input.


Article IV - Officersand Election

Section 1. Officers.  The officers shall be President,Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer

•  President -The president shall preside over meetings of the organization, serve as theprimary contact for the principal, represent the organization at meetingsoutside the organization, serve as an ex officio member of all committeesexcept the nominating committee, and coordinate the work of all the officersand committees so that the purpose of the organization is served.

•  Vice-President- The vice-president shall assist the president and carry out thepresidents’ duties in his or her absence or inability to serve

•  Secretary- The secretary shall keep all records of the organization, take and recordminutes, prepare the agenda, handle correspondence, and send notices ofmeetings to the membership. The secretary also keeps a copy of the minutesbook, bylaws, rules, membership list, and any other necessary supplies, andbrings them to the meetings.

•  Treasurer -The treasurer shall receive all funds of the organization, keep an accuraterecord of receipts and expenditures, and pay out funds in accordance with theapproval of the executive board. He or she will present a financial statementat every meeting and at other times of the year when requested by the executiveboard, and make a full report at the end of the year.

Section 2. Nominations andElections.  Elections will be held atthe second to last meeting of the school year. The nominating committee shallselect a candidate for each office and present the slate at a meeting held onemonth prior to the election. At that meeting, nominations may also be made fromthe floor. Voting shall be by voice if a slate is presented. If more than oneperson is running for an office, a ballot vote shall be taken.

Section 3.Eligibility.  Members are eligiblefor office if they are member sin good standing at least 14 calendar daysbefore the nominating committee present its slate.

Section 4. Terms ofOffice.  Officers are elected for oneyear and many serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.Each person elected shall hold only one office at a time.

Section 5. Vacancies.  If there is a vacancy in the office ofpresident, the vice-president will become the president. At the next regularlyscheduled meeting, a new vice-president will be elected. If there is a vacancyin any other office, members will fill the vacancy through an election at thenext regular meeting

Section 6. Removal fromOffice.  Officers can be removed fromthe office with or without cause by two-thirds vote of those present (assuminga quorum) at a regular meeting where previous notice has been given.


Article V - Meetings

Section 1. RegularMeetings.  The regular meeting of theorganization shall be on the first Thursday of each month during the schoolyear at 6 pm, or at a time and place determined by the executive board at leastone month before the meeting. The annual meeting will be held at the Aprilregular meeting. The annual meeting is for receiving reports, electingofficers, and conducting other business that should arise. The secretary willnotify the members of the meetings in a flyer sent home with the students orvia email to members at least one week prior to the meeting.

Section 2. SpecialMeetings.  Special meetings may becalled by the president, any two members of the executive board, or fivegeneral members submitting a written request to the secretary. Previous noticeof the special meeting shall be sent to the members at least 10 days prior tothe meeting, by flyer, email and/or phone calls.

Section 3. Quorum.  The quorum shall be 10 members of theorganization.


Article VI - Finances

Section 1. A tentativebudget shall be drafted in the fall for each school year and approved by amajority vote of the members present.

Section 2. Thetreasurer shall keep accurate records of any disbursements, income, and bankaccount information

Section 3. The Boardshall approve all expenses of the organization.

Section 4. Upon thedissolution of the organization, any remaining funds shall be used to pay anyoutstanding bills and, with the membership’s approval, spent for the benefit ofthe school.

Section 5. The fiscalyear shall coordinate with the school year.


Article VII - Dissolution

The organization may be dissolved with previous notice (14calendar days ) and a two-thirds vote of those present at the meeting.


Article VIII - Amendments

These bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting,providing that previous notice was given in writing or at prior meeting andthen sent to all member of the organization by the secretary. Amendments willbe approved by a two-thirds vote of those present, assuming a quorum.
