SANDY RUN MIDDLE SCHOOL
PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME
A. The name of this organization shall be the Sandy Run Middle School Parent Teacher
Organization, and shall be referred to herein as the “PTO”.
B. The school designated as “School” in these bylaws is the Sandy Run Middle School,
located in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of the PTO is to do the following:
A. To promote the welfare of children in their School, home and community.
B. To promote close relations between the home, the School and the District so that
parents/guardians, teachers and administrators may cooperate intelligently and
effectively in the education of children.
C. To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts will secure for
all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, and social education.
D. The PTO is organized for the charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within
the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section
of any future federal tax code (hereinafter “Internal Revenue Code.”).
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP & DUES
A. An individual shall qualify to be a Member of the PTO (hereafter referred to as
“Member”) if he or she:
a. Is a parent, step-parent or guardian of a currently enrolled School student, or
b. Is a Member of the faculty or staff serving the School.
B. The Executive Board (as defined in article VII of these bylaws) shall set the annual dues.
C. Every parent or legal guardian of a household may participate in the activities of the
organization.
ARTICLE IV
ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS
A. The PTO shall be non-profit, non-commercial, non-sectarian and non-partisan.
B. The PTO may only provide its authority and consent through a majority vote by the
Membership present at a properly held meeting of the PTO (as defined in article IX of
these Bylaws). Unless and until prior express authority or consent is obtained from the
PTO:
a. No Member or other entity may hold himself out as a representative of the PTO
unless appointed by the Executive Board of the PTO.
b. No Member or other entity may make any commitment on behalf of or binding
upon the PTO.
c. The PTO shall not sponsor or lend its name to any organization or event which is
not directly related to the purposes set forth in Article II of these bylaws.
C. The PTO may participate, as a body or through its duly authorized Members or agents in
the decision-making process pertaining to school related matters, recognizing that the
principal has the authority and responsibility relative to all school related decisions.
Decisions, use of the building, and activities involving student participation require the
approval of the Principal and/or the Superintendent of Schools.
D. The PTO shall neither participate nor intervene in any politically partisan event or
campaign nor endorse nor oppose any candidate for public office.
E. The PTO shall not make loans to any Officer or Member.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION
A. The Officers of the PTO shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
B. There may be nominated and elected two Members serving simultaneously in all offices.
In the event two Members are elected to serve in one office they shall be known as “Co-
Presidents” or “Co-Vice Presidents,” etc, as the case may be. In the event of Officers
serving together, it will be strongly encouraged that the Officers’ terms be staggered so
that no two Officers will share an office for two years simultaneously. If two Members
share one office, both of the persons shall be given all the rights and responsibilities of
the office as enumerated herein.
C. Officers shall be PTO Members under Article III section A herein.
D. In order to run for office, the parent or guardian must have a currently enrolled student in
the School or be a returning parent or guardian.
E. The “term” of office shall extend from June 1 st (to allow for a transition period) following
the election of the individual to that officership and end on May 31 st of the following year..
F. No Member shall serve simultaneously in the capacity of more than one office.
G. No Member should serve more than three consecutive years in the same office and no
more than six consecutive years on the Executive Board.
H. Exception - the role of Treasurer (if voted on by the Executive Board and then the
General Membership).
I. Officers shall be elected through the following procedure:
a. Each year the Nominating Committee shall openly solicit the PTO Members for
their interest in office.
i. The Nominating committee shall consist of at least two Members of the
Executive Board (as defined in article VII of these Bylaws) and at least
two PTO Members who are not Executive Board Members.
ii. The Nominating Committee shall not nominate anyone without first
obtaining that person’s consent.
b. The list of candidates recommended by the Nominating Committee shall be
published on the PTO Website and in the agenda of the March meeting.
c. A Member may be nominated without Nominating Committee recommendation if,
by no later than March 31, that Member provides to the President(s) in writing the
Member’s name, address and telephone number, the office for which the
Member is a candidate and a statement expressing his or her desire to serve in
that office.
d. The election of officers shall take place at the April meeting of the PTO. At that
meeting:
i. A printed list of candidates shall be supplied to all attending Members.
ii. Prior to the election, the President shall recognize and provide to any and
all candidates and Members an opportunity to be heard for a maximum of
two minutes each, not including the answering of questions.
iii. Voting will be done by all Members present at the April meeting, by secret
ballot, and results will be announced before the adjournment of the April
meeting. In the event of an uncontested election, the candidate may
waive the secret ballot and opt for an oral vote.
e. A candidate is elected to office if he or she obtains a simple majority vote of
those Members present at the April meeting. In the event of a tie a new secret
balloting between those two candidates shall immediately take place. In the
event more than two candidates for one office receive a simple majority of the
votes, the two candidates with the most votes received will be elected as Co-
Officers for that position.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
A. The President(s) shall:
a. Preside at all meetings of the PTO and of the Executive Board.
b. Establish, with approval from the Executive Board, all standing and special
committees.
c. Coordinate the work of all Officers and committees of the PTO.
d. Be an ex-officio Member of all standing and special committees.
e. Have the authority to deposit and co-sign bank checks and drafts in the event
that the treasurer is unable to do so.
f. Perform those other duties set forth in these Bylaws, assigned by the PTO or
Executive Board to the President(s).
g. Have the authority to call a special meeting of the Executive Board. This meeting
can be in person (majority of the board must be present) or via email (the
majority of the board must be participating in the discussion).
B. The Vice President(s) shall:
a. Act as an aide to the President(s).
b. Perform the duties of the President(s) in the event of that officer’s absence or
inability to serve.
c. Perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President(s) or Executive
Board.
d. Act as liaison between committee and designated project chairs with the
Executive Board.
C. The Secretary(ies) shall:
a. Record and maintain written minutes of all meetings of the PTO General
Meetings (and place in a timely manner on the website) and the Executive Board
(distribute to the board).
b. Conduct correspondence of the PTO in accordance with the directive of the
Executive Board or the President(s).
c. Perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President(s) or Executive
Board.
d. Act as liaison between committee and designated project chairs with the
Executive Board.
D. The Treasurer(s) shall:
a. Have custody of all funds of the PTO.
b. Keep a full and accurate account of the receipts and expenditures of the PTO.
c. Make disbursements in accordance with the approved budget or as authorized
by the Executive Board.
d. Have authority to sign bank checks and drafts.
e. Present monthly financial reports for review at all regular meetings of the
Executive Board and at other times requested by the President(s).
f. Have financial statements available at all General PTO Meetings.
g. Prepare the PTO annual budget in accordance with the directive of these bylaws
and the Executive Board.
h. Have an Executive Board Member, other than the Treasurer, review and initial
bank statements each month.
i. Perform such duties as may be delegated by the President(s) or Executive
Board.
j. Act as liaison between committee and designated project chairs with the
Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. The Executive Board shall be comprised of all elected and/or appointed PTO officers.
B. Each year, the standing committees and their respective chairpersons shall be
determined by the Executive Board as a whole or at least by the President(s) and Vice
President(s) of the PTO.
C. In addition to those duties otherwise set forth in these Bylaws the duties of the Executive
Board shall be as follows:
a. To perform those duties pertaining to the PTO budget and expenditures as set
forth in Article VIII of these Bylaws.
b. To continually review the progress of each standing committee in order to decide
what needs to be brought to the General PTO Meeting for presentation or vote.
ARTICLE VIII
BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES
A. The Budget shall be formulated as follows:
a. The fiscal year of the PTO shall begin on August 1 st of each year. By May 31 st of
each fiscal year, the current and newly elected Executive Boards shall prepare a
Proposed School Budget for the following fiscal year.
b. The proposed Budget shall be submitted for approval to the General PTO
Membership at the May meeting.
c. A simple majority of Members casting a vote at the May PTO meeting shall be
required to approve the Budget.
B. All expenditures of the PTO shall be made according to the following procedure:
a. The chairperson of each committee shall have the authority to spend the amount
provided to that committee in the Budget.
b. No chairperson shall spend an amount which would exceed a committee’s
budgeted sum without first obtaining approval of the Executive Board and
submitting receipts.
c. Expenditures for non-budget items or miscellaneous items that exceed the
Miscellaneous portion of the Budget or individually exceed $500.00 must be
approved by simple majority at a General PTO Meeting.
d. In the event of an emergency, the Executive Board shall meet, or email, and by
simple majority vote on expenditures.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS
A. General Membership meetings of the PTO shall be held at such times, dates and places
as determined by the then current President(s) and/or school Principal. Notice of such
meetings shall be given no less than twenty-four hours in advance. Monthly meetings
will be scheduled in the months of September through May (when possible) and every
effort will be made to ensure that these meetings are held as scheduled. Efforts will also
be taken to schedule General Membership meetings at times convenient for all
parents/guardians. At least two General Membership meetings shall be held. One for
election of Officers and one for approval of the Budget.
B. Special meetings shall be held at such times with dates and places determined by the
Executive Board. Special meetings may also be called by the President(s) and/or School
Principal as deemed necessary. A good faith effort shall be made to provide each
Member advance notice of any special meeting unless there is an emergency.
C. No Executive Board Meeting shall be effective (must have four Board Members in order
to vote) unless there is a simple majority present. Once a simple majority is established,
all actions taken at a meeting shall be effective.
D. Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Authority shall govern the PTO in all cases in which
they are applicable and do not conflict with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
A. These Bylaws may be reviewed and/or revised by the Executive Board as necessary to
meet changing conditions in the School and community and brought to a vote of the
General Membership.
B. A simple majority of the voting Members present at a General PTO meeting must
approve any proposed Amendment to these Bylaws. Notice that a General Membership
vote is to be taken on the proposed Amendment shall be given to the General
Membership at least twenty-four hours in advance.
These Bylaws were adopted by the General Membership by a majority vote during a meeting
properly called on September 27, 2016, and shall take effect immediately.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME
A. The name of this organization shall be the Sandy Run Middle School Parent Teacher
Organization, and shall be referred to herein as the “PTO”.
B. The school designated as “School” in these bylaws is the Sandy Run Middle School,
located in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of the PTO is to do the following:
A. To promote the welfare of children in their School, home and community.
B. To promote close relations between the home, the School and the District so that
parents/guardians, teachers and administrators may cooperate intelligently and
effectively in the education of children.
C. To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts will secure for
all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, and social education.
D. The PTO is organized for the charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within
the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section
of any future federal tax code (hereinafter “Internal Revenue Code.”).
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP & DUES
A. An individual shall qualify to be a Member of the PTO (hereafter referred to as
“Member”) if he or she:
a. Is a parent, step-parent or guardian of a currently enrolled School student, or
b. Is a Member of the faculty or staff serving the School.
B. The Executive Board (as defined in article VII of these bylaws) shall set the annual dues.
C. Every parent or legal guardian of a household may participate in the activities of the
organization.
ARTICLE IV
ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS
A. The PTO shall be non-profit, non-commercial, non-sectarian and non-partisan.
B. The PTO may only provide its authority and consent through a majority vote by the
Membership present at a properly held meeting of the PTO (as defined in article IX of
these Bylaws). Unless and until prior express authority or consent is obtained from the
PTO:
a. No Member or other entity may hold himself out as a representative of the PTO
unless appointed by the Executive Board of the PTO.
b. No Member or other entity may make any commitment on behalf of or binding
upon the PTO.
c. The PTO shall not sponsor or lend its name to any organization or event which is
not directly related to the purposes set forth in Article II of these bylaws.
C. The PTO may participate, as a body or through its duly authorized Members or agents in
the decision-making process pertaining to school related matters, recognizing that the
principal has the authority and responsibility relative to all school related decisions.
Decisions, use of the building, and activities involving student participation require the
approval of the Principal and/or the Superintendent of Schools.
D. The PTO shall neither participate nor intervene in any politically partisan event or
campaign nor endorse nor oppose any candidate for public office.
E. The PTO shall not make loans to any Officer or Member.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION
A. The Officers of the PTO shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
B. There may be nominated and elected two Members serving simultaneously in all offices.
In the event two Members are elected to serve in one office they shall be known as “Co-
Presidents” or “Co-Vice Presidents,” etc, as the case may be. In the event of Officers
serving together, it will be strongly encouraged that the Officers’ terms be staggered so
that no two Officers will share an office for two years simultaneously. If two Members
share one office, both of the persons shall be given all the rights and responsibilities of
the office as enumerated herein.
C. Officers shall be PTO Members under Article III section A herein.
D. In order to run for office, the parent or guardian must have a currently enrolled student in
the School or be a returning parent or guardian.
E. The “term” of office shall extend from June 1 st (to allow for a transition period) following
the election of the individual to that officership and end on May 31 st of the following year..
F. No Member shall serve simultaneously in the capacity of more than one office.
G. No Member should serve more than three consecutive years in the same office and no
more than six consecutive years on the Executive Board.
H. Exception - the role of Treasurer (if voted on by the Executive Board and then the
General Membership).
I. Officers shall be elected through the following procedure:
a. Each year the Nominating Committee shall openly solicit the PTO Members for
their interest in office.
i. The Nominating committee shall consist of at least two Members of the
Executive Board (as defined in article VII of these Bylaws) and at least
two PTO Members who are not Executive Board Members.
ii. The Nominating Committee shall not nominate anyone without first
obtaining that person’s consent.
b. The list of candidates recommended by the Nominating Committee shall be
published on the PTO Website and in the agenda of the March meeting.
c. A Member may be nominated without Nominating Committee recommendation if,
by no later than March 31, that Member provides to the President(s) in writing the
Member’s name, address and telephone number, the office for which the
Member is a candidate and a statement expressing his or her desire to serve in
that office.
d. The election of officers shall take place at the April meeting of the PTO. At that
meeting:
i. A printed list of candidates shall be supplied to all attending Members.
ii. Prior to the election, the President shall recognize and provide to any and
all candidates and Members an opportunity to be heard for a maximum of
two minutes each, not including the answering of questions.
iii. Voting will be done by all Members present at the April meeting, by secret
ballot, and results will be announced before the adjournment of the April
meeting. In the event of an uncontested election, the candidate may
waive the secret ballot and opt for an oral vote.
e. A candidate is elected to office if he or she obtains a simple majority vote of
those Members present at the April meeting. In the event of a tie a new secret
balloting between those two candidates shall immediately take place. In the
event more than two candidates for one office receive a simple majority of the
votes, the two candidates with the most votes received will be elected as Co-
Officers for that position.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
A. The President(s) shall:
a. Preside at all meetings of the PTO and of the Executive Board.
b. Establish, with approval from the Executive Board, all standing and special
committees.
c. Coordinate the work of all Officers and committees of the PTO.
d. Be an ex-officio Member of all standing and special committees.
e. Have the authority to deposit and co-sign bank checks and drafts in the event
that the treasurer is unable to do so.
f. Perform those other duties set forth in these Bylaws, assigned by the PTO or
Executive Board to the President(s).
g. Have the authority to call a special meeting of the Executive Board. This meeting
can be in person (majority of the board must be present) or via email (the
majority of the board must be participating in the discussion).
B. The Vice President(s) shall:
a. Act as an aide to the President(s).
b. Perform the duties of the President(s) in the event of that officer’s absence or
inability to serve.
c. Perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President(s) or Executive
Board.
d. Act as liaison between committee and designated project chairs with the
Executive Board.
C. The Secretary(ies) shall:
a. Record and maintain written minutes of all meetings of the PTO General
Meetings (and place in a timely manner on the website) and the Executive Board
(distribute to the board).
b. Conduct correspondence of the PTO in accordance with the directive of the
Executive Board or the President(s).
c. Perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President(s) or Executive
Board.
d. Act as liaison between committee and designated project chairs with the
Executive Board.
D. The Treasurer(s) shall:
a. Have custody of all funds of the PTO.
b. Keep a full and accurate account of the receipts and expenditures of the PTO.
c. Make disbursements in accordance with the approved budget or as authorized
by the Executive Board.
d. Have authority to sign bank checks and drafts.
e. Present monthly financial reports for review at all regular meetings of the
Executive Board and at other times requested by the President(s).
f. Have financial statements available at all General PTO Meetings.
g. Prepare the PTO annual budget in accordance with the directive of these bylaws
and the Executive Board.
h. Have an Executive Board Member, other than the Treasurer, review and initial
bank statements each month.
i. Perform such duties as may be delegated by the President(s) or Executive
Board.
j. Act as liaison between committee and designated project chairs with the
Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. The Executive Board shall be comprised of all elected and/or appointed PTO officers.
B. Each year, the standing committees and their respective chairpersons shall be
determined by the Executive Board as a whole or at least by the President(s) and Vice
President(s) of the PTO.
C. In addition to those duties otherwise set forth in these Bylaws the duties of the Executive
Board shall be as follows:
a. To perform those duties pertaining to the PTO budget and expenditures as set
forth in Article VIII of these Bylaws.
b. To continually review the progress of each standing committee in order to decide
what needs to be brought to the General PTO Meeting for presentation or vote.
ARTICLE VIII
BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES
A. The Budget shall be formulated as follows:
a. The fiscal year of the PTO shall begin on August 1 st of each year. By May 31 st of
each fiscal year, the current and newly elected Executive Boards shall prepare a
Proposed School Budget for the following fiscal year.
b. The proposed Budget shall be submitted for approval to the General PTO
Membership at the May meeting.
c. A simple majority of Members casting a vote at the May PTO meeting shall be
required to approve the Budget.
B. All expenditures of the PTO shall be made according to the following procedure:
a. The chairperson of each committee shall have the authority to spend the amount
provided to that committee in the Budget.
b. No chairperson shall spend an amount which would exceed a committee’s
budgeted sum without first obtaining approval of the Executive Board and
submitting receipts.
c. Expenditures for non-budget items or miscellaneous items that exceed the
Miscellaneous portion of the Budget or individually exceed $500.00 must be
approved by simple majority at a General PTO Meeting.
d. In the event of an emergency, the Executive Board shall meet, or email, and by
simple majority vote on expenditures.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS
A. General Membership meetings of the PTO shall be held at such times, dates and places
as determined by the then current President(s) and/or school Principal. Notice of such
meetings shall be given no less than twenty-four hours in advance. Monthly meetings
will be scheduled in the months of September through May (when possible) and every
effort will be made to ensure that these meetings are held as scheduled. Efforts will also
be taken to schedule General Membership meetings at times convenient for all
parents/guardians. At least two General Membership meetings shall be held. One for
election of Officers and one for approval of the Budget.
B. Special meetings shall be held at such times with dates and places determined by the
Executive Board. Special meetings may also be called by the President(s) and/or School
Principal as deemed necessary. A good faith effort shall be made to provide each
Member advance notice of any special meeting unless there is an emergency.
C. No Executive Board Meeting shall be effective (must have four Board Members in order
to vote) unless there is a simple majority present. Once a simple majority is established,
all actions taken at a meeting shall be effective.
D. Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Authority shall govern the PTO in all cases in which
they are applicable and do not conflict with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
A. These Bylaws may be reviewed and/or revised by the Executive Board as necessary to
meet changing conditions in the School and community and brought to a vote of the
General Membership.
B. A simple majority of the voting Members present at a General PTO meeting must
approve any proposed Amendment to these Bylaws. Notice that a General Membership
vote is to be taken on the proposed Amendment shall be given to the General
Membership at least twenty-four hours in advance.
These Bylaws were adopted by the General Membership by a majority vote during a meeting
properly called on September 27, 2016, and shall take effect immediately.