Article I: Name
The name and location of this organization shall be the Morley School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) Inc., Edward W. Morley Elementary School, 77 Bretton Road, West Hartford, Connecticut, 06119
Article II: Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Edward Morley Parent-Teacher Organization, Inc. is to promote the welfare of children and youth in the home, school and community through activities and events that fosters a sense of partnership, support, pride and enthusiasm. The PTO will also work to bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents, school administrators and teachers may cooperate in the education and development of the children of Morley School.
Article III: Basic Policies
The following are basic policies of the Morley School PTO:
The organization shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.
The name of the organization or the names of any officers in their official capacities shall not be used to endorse or promote a commercial concern or in connection with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the purpose of the organization.
The organization shall not - directly or indirectly - participate or intervene in any way, including the publishing or distributing of statements~ in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office; or devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise.
The organization shall work with the schools to provide quality education for all children and youth, and shall seek to participate 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.
No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its directors, trustees, officers, or other private persons except that 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 Article III hereof.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by (I) by any organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 1 70©(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Upon the dissolution of this organization, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of this organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to Edward W. Morley Elementary School. If Edward W. Morley Elementary School ceases to exist, the remaining PTO 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.
Article IV: Membership (Sponsorship)
All adult members of the Morley School community (defined as parents/guardians, teachers and staff) have a vote in regards to the work of the Morley School PTO. Financial support is indicated by sponsorship of this PTO. Sponsorships are solicited once a year, but shall be accepted at any time during the school year without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, color, creed, or national origin.
Each member of the Morley school community is welcome to attend all Board meetings. Those attending the general meetings will have one vote on matters placed before the community.
Sponsorship does not confer any obligations or responsibilities on the sponsor.
Article V: Officers and Their Election
Section 1. The PTO Board shall be comprised of any combination of the following elected officers to minimally include a president, two vice presidents, a secretary and a treasurer. The offices may be shared by two persons.
Section 2.
Officers shall be elected in the month of May.
Officers shall assume their official duties following the close of the school year in June and shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors are elected.
A person shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
Section 3. Nominating Committee
a. There shall be a nominating committee composed of five members who shall be selected by this PTO at a regular meeting at least two months prior to the election of officers. The committee shall elect its own chairperson.
b. The nominating committee shall nominate an eligible person for each office to be filled and report its nominees at the regular meeting in May, at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor.
c. Only those persons who have signified their consent to serve if elected shall be nominated for, or elected to, such office.
Section 4. Vacancies
A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the executive board, notice of such election having been given. In case a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the secretary shall serve notice of the election.
Article VI: Duties of Officers
Section 1. The president shall:
a. preside at all meetings of the Organization;
b. perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws or assigned by the Organization:
c. be a member ex-officio of all committees except the nominating committee;
d. coordinate the work of the officers and committees of the Organization in order that the Objects may be promoted.
Section 2. The vice-presidents shall:
a. act as aides to the president, in the following capacities:
1. programming - plan informative presentations for the general membership and executive committee.
2. fundraising - plan and supervise all fundraising activities of the organization
b. (in the order listed above) perform the duties of the president in the absence or inability of that officer to serve.
Section 3. The secretary shall:
a. record the minutes of all meetings of the Organization;
b. have a current copy of the bylaws;
c. perform other delegated duties as assigned.
Section 4. The treasurer shall:
a. have custody of all the funds of the Organization;
b. keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures;
c. make disbursements as authorized by the president, executive board, or Organization in accordance with the budget adopted by the Organization:
d. have checks or vouchers signed by two persons, the treasurer and one other person;
e. present a financial statement at every meeting of the Organization and at other times when requested by the executive committee;
f. make a full report at the meeting at which new officers officially assume their duties (usually the last meeting of the year);
g. have the accounts examined annually or upon change of officer by an auditor or auditing committee of not fewer than three members of the community who, satisfied that the treasurer's annual report is correct, shall sign a statement of that fact at the end of the report.
Section 5.
All officers shall perform the duties outlined in these bylaws and those assigned from time to time. Upon the expiration of the term of office or in case of resignation, each officer shall turn over to the President, without delay, all records, books, and other materials pertaining to the office.
Article VII: Executive Board
Section 1.
a. The executive board shall consist of the officers of the Organization and the principal of the school, or a representative appointed by him/her, the West Hartford Parent Teacher Council representative and the Volunteer Coordinator.
b. The president may appoint a parliamentarian, subject to the approval of the officers of the Organization.
Section 2. The duties of the executive board shall be:
a. to transact necessary business in the intervals between Organization meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the Organization:
b. to create standing and special committees;
c. to approve the plans of work of the standing committees:
d. to present a report at the regular meetings of the Organization;
e. to select an auditor or an auditing committee to audit the treasurer's accounts;
f. to prepare and submit to the Organization for adoption a budget for the year;
g. to approve routine bills within the limits of the budget. Non-budgeted items over $500 must be presented at a general meeting for the approval of the community.
Section 3. Regular meetings of the executive board shall be held during the school year, the time to be fixed by the board at its first meeting of the year. A majority of the executive board 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, five days' notice being given.
Article VIII: Meetings
Section 1. Seven regular meetings of the Organization shall be held on the day of the week designated by the central administration for elementary school PTOs, unless otherwise provided by the Organization or by the executive board.
Section 2.
Special meetings of the Organization may be called by the president or by a majority of the
executive board.
Section 3. The annual meeting shall be held in May.
Section 4. Ten members of the community shall constitute a quorum in the transaction of business in any meeting of this Organization.
Article IX: Committees
Section 1. The executive board may create such standing committees as it may deem necessary to promote the Objects and carry on the work of the Organization.
Section 3. The chairman of each standing committee shall present a plan of work to the executive committee for their approval. No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the executive committee.
Section 4. The power to form special committees and appoint or elect their members rests with the executive board.
Section 5. The president shall be a member ex-officio of all committees except the nominating
committee.
Article X: Parent Teacher Council Membership
Section 1.
The Organization shall be represented in meetings of the West Hartford Council of Parent-Teacher Organizations by the designated Parent-Teacher Council Representative.
Delegates shall be chosen by election in May.
Delegates to the West Hartford Council of PTOs shall serve for a term of two years.
Section 2. This Organization shall pay annual dues to the West Hartford Council of PTOs as provided in the council bylaws.
Section 3. The organization will not be subject to the decisions or rulings of the West Hartford Council of PTOs.
Article XI: Finances
Section 1. The fiscal year of this PTO shall begin on August 1st and end on the following July 31st.
Section II. Budget The executive board shall present to the community at the second to last regular meeting of the year, a budget of anticipated revenue and expenses for the year. Any changes recommended by the community will be incorporated with majority approval. The final budget will be presented and approved at the last regular meeting of the year.
Section III Distribution of non-allocated funds. Those funding requests not planned for in the budget shall be determined in the following manner:
A committee comprised of two parent volunteers, the treasurer, the principal and the president will review all requests for funding. The name of this committee is the KIDS (Knowledge, Innovation, Discovery, Success) Committee.
Approved expenditures must support the purpose of the organization and impact as many students as possible.
Amounts in excess of $200 shall be referred to the executive committee for approval. Amounts in excess of $500 shall be referred to a regular meeting for approval of the community.
The president has the authority to authorize non-planned allocations of $50.
Article XII: Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these bylaws.
Article XIII: By-law review and Amendments
Section 1.
These bylaws will be reviewed by a committee comprised of three members of the executive board on a bi-annual basis to determine the need for amendments.
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Organization by two thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the amendment has been given at the previous regular meeting.
Reviewed and Adopted by vote of the Morley School PTO Executive Board
February 12, 2002