PTO By-Laws        

Adopted/Approved January 12, 2009

• ARTICLE I: NAME         

• SECTION A: This organization shall be known as the Parent Teacher Organization of Couch R-1 School (Couch PTO).

• ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE (MISSION STATEMENT)

• SECTION A: PTO identifies school needs and promotes a quality education and a safe environment for the children, staff, and educators.
• SECTION B: PTO fosters a closer relationship between the home and the school, which allows parents and teachers to cooperate effectively in the education of children.

• ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS         

• SECTION A: Parent or guardians with a child or children attending Couch R-1 School, regardless of grade, shall be granted membership in this organization upon receipt of yearly dues. Membership shall be made available without regard to race, sex, color, creed or national origin.
• SECTION B: The school faculty (teachers) and staff (office assistants, room aides, etc.) shall automatically be granted membership in this organization.

• ARTICLE IV: DUES         

• SECTION A: Dues are to be $2.00 per family per school year. Dues are to be paid at the time of membership application.
• SECTION B: The treasurer may accept donations from members or outside sources at the discretion of the Executive Board.

• ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

• SECTION A: The elected officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Reporter Liaison from the local Education Agencies. One (1) representative from each class, Preschool through 8th grade, and one (1) from 9th through 12th grade. No person shall serve more than two (2) terms in any one office with the exception of filling in for an incomplete term.
• SECTION B: The term of office is July 1st to June 30th. New officers are to be elected during the previous April meeting.
• SECTION C: Nominations for officers will be accepted from the floor of the general PTO meeting in March of each year, to be voted on by a show of hands, in the following April meeting.

• ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS         

• SECTION A: The President shall preside at all business meetings and executive board meetings of this PTO; shall coordinate the work of officers and committees in order to promote PTO objectives; shall perform duties as prescribed in these by-laws and assigned by this organization.
• SECTION B: The Vice-President shall act as aide to the president and perform presidential duties in the absence or inability of the president to serve; shall be member ex officio of all committees; shall be responsible for presenting activities and account reports at meetings.
• SECTION C: The Secretary shall record accurate and detailed minutes of all meetings; shall maintain permanent copies of minutes for PTO records and forward all copies of the minutes to the President and the Elementary and High School Principals; have a current copy of the by-laws; maintain a membership list; provide all necessary correspondence and perform other duties as assigned.
• SECTION D: The Treasurer shall maintain a permanent copy of all treasurer’s repots for PTO records; prepare and annual financial statement; be responsible for the Petty Cash Fund; shall keep the funds in a financial institution in the name of the Couch PTO and subject to withdrawal by check in such a manner as in outlined in Article IX of these by-laws. He/She shall receive all moneys from any fundraising projects and be responsible for keeping an accurate record of all dues paid by members.
• SECTION E: The Reporter shall be responsible for maintaining a scrapbook with photos and news items and release announcements of upcoming events to the news media.
• SECTION F: Two members of the teaching staff (one from the Elementary School and one from the High School) will serve as liaisons between the teaching staff and the PTO and serve on the executive board.
• SECTION G: A Parent Liaison from each class will be elected by the parents of children in the class to maintain communication between the Executive Board and the class parents. One parent liaison will be elected to serve as chairperson.
• SECTION H: There is to be a Liaison from other educational agencies to maintain open communication between the Couch PTO and other local education facilities.
• SECTION I: All officers shall perform the duties outlined herein, attend the meetings and activities of the PTO and deliver to their successors all official materials within the time period allotted for the changing of officers.

• ARTICLE VII: VACANCIES

• SECTION A: If for any reason, any officer is unable to continue with his/her duties of their office, a special election will be held to fill that position at the next scheduled meeting.

• ARTICLE VIII: EXECUTIVE BOARD

• SECTION A: The Executive Board shall consist of the five (5) elected officers, the two school principals, two (2) staff liaisons and one (1) parent liaison chairperson. In order to conduct business as quorum of five (5) members is required.
• SECTION B: The Executive Board shall approve all business policies, be responsible for all the business affairs of the organization and approve and/or submit funds for approval of all organizational activities.
• SECTION C: Members of the Executive Board shall also be known as the Executive Directors and may meet as deemed necessary.

• ARTICLE IX: APPROVAL OF FUNDS

• SECTION A: Expenditures exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for any one month shall be discussed and submitted for a vote by the Executive Board.
• SECTION B: All checks, which are written for disbursement to pay expenses, must be co-signed by two authorized officers (the President and Treasurer) of the organization and have the payee assigned before disbursement.

• ARTICLE X: COMMITTEES

• SECTION A: Only dues paying members can serve as officers or on committees. The executive committee may from committees as it deems necessary. Special committees may be appointed by the President – created for a specific purpose and ceasing to exist when work is completed and a final report is given. All committees must present a plan of work to the Executive Board.

• ARTICLE XI: AUDITS

• SECTION A: The Executive Board shall provide for an annual audit of the ledgers (books) and accounts of the organization by the appointment of one (1) or more auditor(s) from the membership. The audit of the organization shall be completed by July 31st and the report submitted at the October general membership meeting.

• ARTICLE XII: MEETINGS

• SECTION A: The General Membership Meetings are tentative set for the second Monday of each month (August – May) at 6:00 pm, prior to the School Board Meetings. If special meetings need to arranged they will be set during the current meeting before the meeting is adjourned.
• SECTION B: The agenda for general membership meetings is as follows:

1. Call to Order
2. Reading/approval of minutes of previous meeting
3. Treasurer’s Report (bills, balances, etc.)
4. Secretary’s Report (correspondence, etc.)
5. President’s Report
6. Principal’s Report
7. Vice-President’s Report
8. Old Business
9. New Business
10. Adjournment

• ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

• SECTION A: The by-laws of the Couch PTO may be amended as conditions arise by a majority of affirmative votes of the organization members present at the general membership meeting. Suggested changes may be submitted at the prior meeting before being acted upon. The Secretary shall make available to all members a copy of the proposed changes.