HEDGCOXE
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
*ARTICLE
I: Name
The
name of this organization is the Hedgcoxe Parent Teacher Association
(PTA) Area 15, Plano, Texas. It is a Local PTA organized under the
authority of the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers (Texas PTA),
a branch of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (National
PTA).
*ARTICLE
II: Articles of Organization
The
articles of organization of this Local PTA
include (a) the bylaws of such organization
and (b) the
certificate of incorporation or articles of incorporation of such
organization (in cases in which the organization is a corporation) or
the articles of association by whatever name (in cases in which the
organization exists as an unincorporated association).
*ARTICLE
III: Purposes
Section
1. The Purposes of the Hedgcoxe PTA, in common with those of the
National PTA and the Texas PTA, are:
a. To
promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community
and place of worship.
b. To
raise the standards of home life.
c. To
secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and
youth.
d. To
bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and
teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and
youth.
e. To
develop between educators and the general public such united efforts
as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in
physical, mental, social and spiritual education.
Section
2. The Purposes of the National PTA, the Texas PTA and this Local
PTA are promoted through an advocacy and
educational program directed toward parents,
teachers and the
general public; developed through conferences, committees, projects
and programs; and governed and qualified by the basic policies set
forth in Article IV.
Section
3. The organization is organized exclusively 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 referred to as
“Internal Revenue Code”).
*ARTICLE
IV: Basic Policies
The
following are basic policies of this Local PTA in common with those
of the National PTA and the Texas PTA:
-
The organization
shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan.
-
The organization
shall work with the schools and community 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 boards of education, state education authorities and local
education authorities.
-
The organization
shall work to promote the health and welfare of children and youth and
shall seek to promote collaboration among parent, schools and the
community at large.
-
No part of the net
earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be
distributable to its members, 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 (i) by an
organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 50l(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) by an organization, contributions to
which are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
-
Upon the
dissolution of this organization, after paying or adequately providing
for the debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets
shall be distributed to one (1) or more nonprofit funds, foundations or
organizations which have established their tax exempt status under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and whose purposes are
in accordance with those of National PTA.
-
The organization or
members in their official capacities 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.
*Article
V—Constituent Organizations
Section
1. The constituent organizations of National PTA include:
-
Branches of
National PTA that have been established in the 50 states of the United
States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and among
schools for American dependents in Europe and the Pacific hereinafter
called state PTAs.
-
Local PTAs
(Parent-Teacher Associations) or PTSAs (Parent-Teacher-Student
Associations) organized under the authority of the state PTAs in
organized areas; and
-
Local PTAs/PTSAs
organized under the direct authority of National PTA when there is no
state PTA/PTSA.
Section
2. The national board of directors shall determine criteria for
establishing constituent organizations and setting standards for
continuing affiliation with National PTA.
Section
3. There shall be no proxy voting by any constituent organization of
National PTA.
Section
4. The Purposes and basic policies of National PTA shall in every
case also be the Purposes and basic policies of each constituent
organization.
Section
5. Each constituent organization shall adopt bylaws for the
government of the organization. Such bylaws shall not be in conflict
with National PTA or Texas PTA bylaws. Such bylaws shall include an
article on amendments and shall include a provision establishing a
quorum.
*ARTICLE
VI: Relationship with Texas PTA
Section
1. This Local PTA shall be organized and chartered
under the
authority of the Texas PTA, in conformity with such rules and
regulations, not in conflict with the National PTA Bylaws, as the
Texas PTA may in its bylaws prescribe. The Texas PTA shall issue to
this Local PTA an appropriate charter evidencing the due organization
and good standing of this Local PTA.
A
Local PTA in good standing is one that:
a. adheres
to the Purposes and basic policies of the PTA;
b. remits
the national portion of the dues through the Texas PTA to reach the
National PTA Office by dates designated by the National PTA;
c. has
bylaws approved according to the procedures of the Texas PTA; and
d. meets
other criteria as may be prescribed by the Texas PTA.
Section
2. This Local PTA shall keep such permanent books
of account
and records as shall be sufficient to establish the items of gross
income, receipts and disbursements of the organization including,
specifically, the number of its members, the dues collected from its
members and the amount of dues remitted to the Texas PTA. Such books
of account and records shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by an
authorized representative of the Texas PTA
or
the National PTA.
Section
3. The charter of this Local PTA shall be subject to withdrawal and
the status as a Local PTA shall be subject to termination, in the
manner and under the circumstances provided in the bylaws of the
Texas PTA.
Section
4. This Local PTA is obligated, upon withdrawal of its charter by
the Texas PTA:
a. to
yield up and surrender all of its books and records and all of its
assets and property to the Texas PTA or to such agency as may be
designated by the Texas PTA, or to another Local PTA organized under
the authority of the Texas PTA.;
b. to
cease and desist from the further use of any name that implies or
connotes association with the National PTA or the Texas PTA; and
c. to
carry out promptly, under the supervision and direction of the Texas
PTA, all proceedings necessary for the purpose of dissolving this
Local PTA.
Section
5. A Local PTA considering dissolving its relationship with Texas
PTA (and thereby National PTA) shall follow the procedures for
dissolution as adopted by the Texas PTA Board of Directors. These
procedures include but are not limited to:
a. a
special called meeting of the membership with thirty (30) days
notice;
b. a
two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership, a quorum having been
established; and
c. notification
of the state president at least forty-five (45) days in advance of
such meeting.
Any
Local PTA failing to follow the procedures may be required to forfeit
all Local PTA books, records and assets to Texas PTA.
Section
6. Each Local PTA shall include in its bylaws provisions
corresponding to the provisions of such of these bylaws as are
identified by a star (*).
ARTICLE
VII: Members and Dues
*Section
1. Every individual who is a member of this Local PTA is a member of
the National PTA and the Texas PTA and is entitled to all the
benefits of such membership.
*Section
2. Membership in PTA shall be open, without discrimination, to
anyone who believes in and supports the Mission and Purposes of
National PTA.
*Section
3. This Local PTA shall conduct an annual enrollment of members, but
may admit persons to membership at any time.
*Section
4. Only members of a Local PTA who have paid dues
for the
current membership year may participate in the business of that
association.
*Section
5. Each member of this Local PTA shall pay annual dues as determined
by the organization. The amount of the dues shall include the
portion of one dollar and twenty-five cents (1.25) per member payable to Texas PTA, the
portion of one
dollar and
seventy-five cents (1.75) per member payable to the National PTA, and
the Local PTA portion of (3.00)
per member.
*Section
6. The Texas and National PTA portions of the dues paid by each
member of this Local PTA shall be set aside by this Local PTA and
remitted to the Texas PTA through such channels and at such times as
the Texas PTA bylaws may provide. Each state PTA shall pay to the
National PTA the amount of the national portion of dues paid by all
members of Local PTAs in its area.
*Section
7. A Local PTA shall have a minimum of twenty (20) members to retain
membership in the Texas PTA. Annual national and state portions of
dues and names of members shall be sent to the Texas PTA Office
postmarked on or before October 15 of the current year. Names of
members and national and state portions of dues received after
October 15 shall be sent to the Texas PTA Office whenever members are
enrolled in the organization.
*Section
8. Organizations whose national and state portions of dues and names
of all members enrolled are not in the Texas PTA Office postmarked on
or before October 15 are ineligible to voting representation at state
convention. Organizations whose national and state portions of dues
are not paid by March 15 shall be dropped from the state roster.
*Section
9. Honorary Life Members
-
An Honorary Life
Membership in the Texas PTA may be awarded to any deserving person by a
Local, Council, Area or the Texas PTA upon submission of name of
honoree and payment of a fee. Such fees shall be made a part of the
Texas PTA extension fund.
b. Life
membership shall be honorary and shall carry neither the right to
vote nor to hold office. A life member may also become an
all-inclusive member upon enrollment as a member in a Local PTA.
c. A
Texas Honorary Life Member may receive exemption from state portion
of dues through one (1) Local PTA only. The member shall be
designated as a Texas Life Member when the Local PTA annual
membership list is sent to the Texas PTA Office.
d. The
annual national portion of dues for a Texas Life Member shall be paid
by said Texas Life Member.
*ARTICLE
VIII: Officers and Their Election
Section
1. Each officer shall be a member of this Local PTA.
Section
2. Officers and their election:
-
The
officers of this Local PTA shall be a president, four (4) vice
president(s), a secretary, a treasurer, a historian
and a parliamentarian.
-
Officers, with the
exception of the historian and parliamentarian, shall be elected by
ballot in the month of March. However, if there is but one (1) nominee
for an office, election for that office may be by voice vote. The
historian and parliamentarian shall be appointed by the president
subject to the approval of the newly elected officers.
c. An individual
shall be a member of the Local PTA prior to taking
office.
d. Officers
shall assume their official duties following the close of the school
year
and shall serve a term of one (1) year.
e. No
officer shall serve in the same office for more than two (2)
consecutive terms. One who has served more than one-half of a term
shall be credited with having served that term.
Section
3. Nominating Committee:
a. There
shall be a nominating committee elected by the general body at a
regular meeting at least one (1) month prior to the election of
officers. Elections shall be by plurality. The committee shall be
composed of (5) members. One (1) alternate shall be elected to serve
in the event a member is unable to serve. The committee shall elect
its own chairman immediately following the meeting.
b.
The
nominating committee shall nominate an eligible person
for each office to be filled and report its nominees at the regular
meeting in March at which time additional
nominations may be made
from the floor. The report shall be publicized to the Local PTA
membership through regular publicity channels at least seven (7) days
before the election meeting.
c. Only
those persons who have signified their consent to serve if elected
shall be nominated for or elected to such office.
d. No
member shall automatically serve on this committee because of his
office in the Local PTA or position in the school system.
e.
The
president does not serve as a member of this
committee, nor
does he appoint any member of the committee.
Section
4. Vacancies
a. A
vacancy occurring in any elected office shall be filled for the
unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the
executive board, at least three (3) days notice of such election
having been given.
b. In
the event a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the first vice
president shall serve notice to the executive board of the election.
Section
5. Reason to remove:
By
two-thirds (2/3) vote of the executive board an officer or chairman
shall be removed from office for failure to perform duties, criminal
misconduct or unethical behavior in PTA business. An officer or
chairman who misses three (3) consecutive meetings may be removed
from office.
ARTICLE
IX: Duties of Officers
Section
1. The president shall:
-
coordinate the work
of the officers and committees of the association in order that the
Purposes may be promoted;
-
confirm that a
quorum is present before conducting any business at any meeting of the
association;
-
preside at all
meetings of the association;
-
appoint
the historian and parliamentarian, subject to
approval of the newly elected officers;
-
appoint chairmen of
special committees subject to approval of executive board;
-
be
authorized to sign on bank accounts;
-
be authorized to
sign contracts that have been approved by the executive board;
-
call a meeting of
the newly elected officers within thirty (30) days after the election
meeting for the purpose of approving appointments of standing committee
chairmen and such other business as becomes necessary;
-
appoint a member,
subject to the approval of the executive board, who is not authorized
to sign on the bank account to open, review, initial and date each bank
statement;
-
represent the Local
PTA as a delegate to Council PTA (when the Local PTA is in membership
with Council PTA);
-
file with the
Council PTA secretary the names of delegates and alternates from this
Local PTA by the first general Council PTA meeting and no later than
October 15. A Local PTA joining or making changes after October 15
shall submit any changes in writing prior to any regular meeting in
order to be eligible to vote.
-
confirm that all
officers are graduates of the current Texas PTA Leader Orientation or
have completed the course by October 15 after the election;
-
send the names and
addresses of the officers and chairmen to the Texas PTA office by May 1
each year;
-
appoint the audit
committee subject to the approval of the executive board; and
-
serve as an
ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating and audit
committees.
Section
2. Vice President(s)
a. First
Vice President shall:
*1. be
the aide-to-the-president and be in charge of membership; and
*2. preside
in the absence of the president (in their designated order).
b. Second
Vice President shall:
*1. be
in charge of Ways and Means; and
*2. preside
in the absence of the president (in their designated order).
c. Third
Vice President shall:
*1. be in charge
of Programs; and
*2. preside
in the absence of the president (in their designated order).
d. Fourth
Vice President shall:
*1. be in charge
of Art in Education; and
*2. preside
in the absence of the president (in their designated order).
Section
3. The secretary shall:
-
record the minutes
of all meetings of the association;
-
keep an accurate
record of attendance at executive board meetings;
-
be responsible for
correspondence;
-
have a current copy
of the bylaws;
-
maintain
a list of the names of Local PTA officers who have completed the Texas
PTA Leader Orientation, with the dates each course was completed;
-
maintain the
records retention policy;
-
maintain the
conflict of interest policy as signed by the current board members; and
-
maintain
a membership list.
Section
4. The treasurer shall:
*a. have
custody of all the funds of the association;
*b. keep
books of account and records including bank statements, receipts,
budgets, invoices, paid receipts and canceled checks in accordance
with the records retention policy;
*c. make
disbursements in accordance with the budget adopted by the
association;
*d.
sign
on bank accounts;
*e. present
a financial report, both written and verbal, at every meeting of the
Local PTA and as requested by the executive board or the voting body;
*f. make
a full report at the annual meeting;
*g. be
responsible for the maintenance of such books of account and records
as conform to the requirements of Article VI, Section 2 of these
bylaws;
*h. complete and
file all necessary tax documents; and
*i. present
books to the audit committee as requested.
Section
5. The parliamentarian shall:
*a. advise the
presiding officer on questions of parliamentary
procedure; and
*b. vote only when
the vote is by ballot.
Section
6. The historian shall:
*a.
collect and preserve documents relating the history of the
association; and
*b. compile
and keep a record of events and activities to be presented as the
official history to the general body for adoption at the annual
meeting.
*Section
7. All officers shall:
a. be
a graduate of the Texas PTA Leader Orientation or complete the course
by October 15 after their election;
b. submit
a Plan of Work to the executive board for approval;
c. attend all
meetings of the association;
d. have
a current copy of the Local PTA bylaws;
e. perform the
duties outlined in these bylaws and those assigned from
time to time; and
f. deliver to
their successors or the president all official materials
within fifteen (15) days following the date at which their successors
assume their duties.
ARTICLE
X: Meetings
*Section
1. This association shall hold a minimum of three (3) meetings a
year.
a.
Regular
meetings of the association shall be held in the months of August,
September, November, January, March and May, time and date to be
established by executive board at its first meeting of the year. Five
(5) days notice shall be given if change of date is needed.
b. The
regular meeting held in March shall be the election meeting.
c. The
annual meeting in May shall be for the purpose of receiving reports
of officers and chairmen and for any other necessary business.
Section
2. Special meetings of the Local PTA may be called by the president
or by a majority of the executive board, at least
three (3)
days notice having been given.
*Section
3. Ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business in any meeting of this association.
ARTICLE
XI: Executive Board
Section
1. The executive board shall consist of:
-
the officers of the
association;
-
the chairmen of
standing committees; and
-
the principal of
the school or a representative appointed by him.
*Section
2. A Local PTA member shall not serve as a voting member of this
executive board while employed by, or under contract to this Local
PTA.
Section
3. The duties of the executive board shall be to:
-
transact necessary
business in the intervals between association meetings and such other
business as may be referred to it by the association;
b. present a report
at the regular meetings of the association;
*c. approve
the Plans of Work of all officers and committee chairmen;
*d. create
standing and special committees;
*e. adopt a
conflict of interest policy annually;
*f. prepare
and submit a budget for the year to the association for adoption;
g. approve routine
bills within the limits of the budget; and
*h. fill vacancies
of officers and chairmen.
Section
4. Meetings
a. Regular
meetings of the executive board shall be held prior to
each regular association meeting, the time to be determined by the
board at its first meeting of the year.
*b.
A
majority of the executive board members shall constitute a quorum.
c. Special
meetings of the executive board may be called by the
president or by a majority of the members of the board, at least
three (3) days notice being given.
ARTICLE
XII: Standing and Special Committees
*Section
1. Only members of the association shall be
eligible to serve
in any elective or appointive position.
*Section
2. The executive board may create such standing and special
committees as it may deem necessary to promote the Purposes and carry
on the work of the association. The term of each chairman shall be
one (1) year or until the selection of a successor.
*Section
3. The newly elected president shall call a meeting
of the
incoming officers within thirty (30) days after the election for the
purpose of approving standing
committee chairmen and such other business as becomes necessary.
*Section
4. No chairman shall serve in the same office for more than two (2)
consecutive terms. One who has served more than one-half of a term
shall be credited with having served that term.
*Section
5. All standing committee chairmen shall:
-
deliver to their
successors or the president all official materials within fifteen (15)
days following the date at which their successors assume their duties;
b. present
a Plan of Work to the executive board for approval. No committee
work shall be undertaken without this approval;
and
c. have
a current copy of the Local PTA bylaws.
*Section
6. The president shall be a member ex-officio of all committees
except the nominating and audit committees.
*Section
7. The quorum of any committee shall be a majority of its members.
ARTICLE
XIII: Council Membership
Section
1. (Applies only to Local PTAs holding membership in a Council of
PTAs, and shall correspond to Council PTA bylaws.)
a.
The
association shall be represented in meetings of the Plano Independent
School District Council of Parent Teacher Associations by the
president or alternate, the principal or alternate and by two (2)
delegates or their alternates. All
representatives to the Council PTA shall be members of the Local
PTA they represent.
b.
Delegates
and their alternates shall be appointed subject to the approval of
the board by August.
c. Delegates
to Plano Independent School District Council of PTAs shall serve for
a term of one (1) year.
Section
2. This association shall pay annual dues of seventy-five ($75.00)
to the Plano Independent School District Council of PTAs no later
than October 15.
*ARTICLE
XIV: State Convention
This
Local PTA shall be represented at the annual meeting of the Texas PTA
by the president or appointed alternate and additional accredited
delegates.
-
All delegates from
this Local PTA to the Texas PTA Annual Convention shall be members of
this Local PTA.
-
Voting delegates
and their alternates shall be appointed subject to the approval of the
board.
*ARTICLE
XV: Fiscal Year
Section
1. The fiscal year of this association shall begin July 1 and end on
the following June 30.
Section
2. An audit committee consisting of not less than
three (3)
members,
who are not authorized signers, shall be appointed by the president
subject to the approval of the executive board at
least thirty (30) days before the last meeting of the year.
Section
3. The audit committee report shall be adopted by the association.
*ARTICLE
XVI: Parliamentary Authority
The
rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s
Rules of
Order Newly Revised shall govern the National PTA and its
constituent organizations in all cases in which they are applicable
and in which they are not in conflict with these bylaws, the bylaws
of the Texas PTA, and the bylaws of the National PTA or the articles
of incorporation.
ARTICLE
XVII: Amendments
*Section
1.
-
These
bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the association, provided a
quorum is present, by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and
voting. Notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given at the
previous regular meeting or thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at
which the amendment is voted on. The amendment
shall be subject to approval of the Texas PTA.
-
A committee may be
appointed to submit a revised set of bylaws as a substitute for the
existing bylaws only by a majority vote at a meeting of the
association, or by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the executive board. The
procedure for action on amendments in *Section 1.a. should then be
followed.
c. After
adoption by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a meeting of the association,
two (2) copies of bylaws and standing rules as amended or revised
shall be sent for approval to the Texas PTA, 408 W. 11th Street,
Austin, Texas 78701-2113 or to the Texas PTA website at
www.txpta.org.
d. A
revision of the bylaws or any amendments shall go into effect when an
approved copy is returned by the Texas PTA.
*Section
2. This Local PTA shall submit a set of bylaws to the Texas PTA for
review every five (5) years.
*Section
3. The adoption of an amendment to any provision of the bylaws of
the Texas PTA identified by a star (*) shall serve automatically and
without the requirement of further action by the Local PTA to amend
its corresponding bylaws.
As
adopted by the Texas PTA Board of Directors February 2007
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