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Rich Township High School
RICH TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
227
BYLAWS
OF RICH TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT
ORGANZATION (PTSO)
(Amended
– May 4, 2022)
ARTICLE
I: NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization will be the Rich Township
High School Parent, Teacher, Student
Organization (PTSO). Herein
thereafter will be referred to as “PTSO”.
ARTICLE
II: MISSION
Section
1. The PTSO’s mission statement is as follows:
To compliment the school with additional opportunities
and for parents, teachers students/staff to learn,
socialize, communicate & grow. It is
also the purpose of the PTSO to support the student body through community
involvement & fundraising.
Section
2. Vision
To empower parents, teachers, students, and community members
to support the development of a culturally relevant, innovative school that provides
a foundation of opportunities for our students to thrive.
.
Section
3. Values
Our values:
· Integrity
· Collaboration
· Commitment
· Role
model,
· Support
open communication, scholarship opportunity & growth.
We believe that
student success is more likely to occur …
1.
when all of our stakeholders are treated with respect in
a safe, caring learning environment.
2.
when the voices of our
students, our staff, our parents, our alumni, our communities, and our school
board are heard, considered, and addressed.
3.
when the unique
identity of our students is valued and celebrated. when our students are
exposed to our rich cultural diversity.
4.
when the school
district works in partnership with our communities.
5.
when positive,
collaborative relationships are developed between our students and the adults
who work with them.
6.
when social/emotional
skills as well as academic skills are emphasized.
7.
when student work
products reflect communication, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity,
and self-discovery.
8.
when students have the
best educational experience for their individual post-secondary success.
ARTICLE
III: GUIDELINES
Section 1. This PTSO
will neither seek to, nor direct, the administrative activities of the school
or control its policies.
Section 2. This PTSO
may cooperate with other PTSOs and agencies active in promoting the students, parents,
or schools’ best interest.
Section 3. The purpose of the conflict-of-interest
guidelines is to protect this tax-exempt status of the PTSO’s interest when it
is contemplating entering into a transaction or
arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director
of the PTSO; or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not
replace any applicable state & federal laws governing conflict of interest
applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Section 4. The PTSO shall be non-commercial &
non-partisan. It shall not endorse a
commercial enterprise or political candidate. The name of the PTSO or the name of any
members in their official capacities shall not be used in connection with any
commercial concern without prior, written and/or expressed consent.
ARTICLE
IV: MEMBERSIP AND DUES
Section 1. Any
person interested in promoting the mission and vision of the PTSO, may become a
member of this PTSO upon payment of dues.
Families with Senior students
must paid by October 31st to qualify for PTSO scholarships.
Section 2. Annual
dues are $10.00 per Rich Township High School registered household.
Section 3. The
dues will be collected exclusively for the use of the Rich Township High School
PTSO.
ARTICLE
V: OFFICERS
Section
1. The Executive Board
The
Executive Board consists of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamatarian, and 3 Parent Liaisons
Principals
or their designee shall act as an ex-officio advisor to the executive board.
The responsibilities of the Executive Board will be to:
a. Interpret
and act accordingly in accordance with the Bylaws of the PTSO.
b. Recommend
and implement activities to fulfill the purpose of the PTSO.
c. Prepare
a budget for the PTSO.
d. Meet
regularly on dates determined.
Additional meetings may be called by the President or Vice-President. Meeting locations will be determined by the
Executive Board.
e. A
majority of the Executive Board will constitute a
quorum for the purpose of conducting official business.
f. Approve
any expenditure relating to the business of the PTSO. Any expenditures over $100.00 require the
approval of the President or Vice-President. The President and Treasurer must sign for payment.
g. Keep
the membership informed of activities and functions of the PTSO; and
h. Fill
any vacancies within the Executive Board.
Should the President vacate, the Vice President automatically becomes
President.
Section
2. The Elected
Officers
Officers will include President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer, Parlimatarian & Three Parent Liaisons.
The Officers will:
a. Be
voting for members of the Executive Board.
b. Be
active for a period of two (2)
years, coinciding with the school year.
c. Attend
a minimum of 75% of all General Membership meetings or the Officer may be
removed from office by remaining Executive Board members; and
d. Have
the opportunity to hold the same office for no more than two
terms (4 consecutive years if re-elected).
President:
a. Is
the executive head of the PTSO with full power to enforce and uphold the
By-Laws of the PTSO.
b. Presides
at all Executive and General Membership meetings and governs same with
parliamentary procedure.
c. Is
the Ex-officio member of all committees of the PTSO.
d. Prepares
an agenda for the General Membership meeting.
e. Must
be bonded at the expense of the PTSO.
Vice
President:
a. Assists
the President in the work of the President’s office.
b. In
the absence of the President or the President’s inability to serve, preside at
all meetings and perform all duties otherwise performed by the president.
c. Upon
approval by the local Executive Board, be authorized to act as co-signer of
checks drawn on the local funds in place of either the President, Secretary or Treasurer.
d. Will
update and maintain accurate rosters for all committees.
e. Collects
annual reports from each committee of the PTSO.
All committees of the PTSO will keep a detailed report of their
committee activities that can be updated and revised. This information is to be held by the Vice
President for presentation to the Executive Board.
f. Must
be bonded at the expense of the PTSO
Secretary:
a. Keeps records of the Executive Board and
General Membership meetings. Any
requests for meeting minutes will be responded to within (5) business days.
b. Receives & keeps on file all
correspondence and legal documents pertaining to the PTSO.
c. Notifies all Executive Board Members of
meetings and upcoming events.
d. Provides a copy of the By-Laws to each new
member upon request.
e. Prepare written notification of all special
functions
f. Prepare and email notification of PTSO
meetings to the General Membership.
g. Maintains membership rooster.
Treasurer:
a. Must be bonded at the expense of the PTSO.
b. Receives, records and deposits all money. Including maintaining petty cash boxes during
PTSO sponsored events.
c. Deposits and disburses funds under the name Rich Township PTSO and pays out funds
only as authorized by the Executive Board.
d. All funds will be disbursed by check with two
(2) signatures. Those authorized to sign
checks are the President, Vice President, and Treasurer. No two (2) members of
the same household may be authorized to sign checks.
e. Will serve as Treasurer for all standing
committees.
f. Maintains and presents a monthly report to
the general membership. Report to include all items donated to and purchased by
the PTSO. The annual Treasurer’s report is
due before the end of the school year.
g. Maintains a record of all paid PTSO
membership.
h. Work with the President and Vice-President to
create a budget to be presented to the Executive Board. This budget will be presented to the general
membership at the third PTSO meeting (November).
i. The PTSO account must not be linked with any
other banking account (i.e., personal).
Parliamentarian:
a.
Provides guidance on parliamentarian rules
and procedures in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised
Parent
Liaison(s):
a. Communicates parent/guardian questions and
concerns to Executive Board and follow up to ensure that the responses are addressed
in a timely manner with the school administration.
b. Maintains healthy relationships with school
administration; and takes an active role in promoting and supporting programs
for Rich Township Students to keep them engaged in the high school experience.
c. Assists with committees, as necessary, for
PTSO fundraising and other activities.
d. Disseminates pertinent information regarding
PTSO meetings such as dates, location, time & agendas within a timely
manner.
e. Promote PTSO membership to non-members.
f.
Develop and support actions listed in the membership recruitment plan.
Section
2.1.
Non-elected
Officers:
Teacher/Staff
& Student Liaison:
Non-elected Officers
consists of Teacher/Staff Liaison & Student Liaison. These Officers will report on matters of
concern relating to teachers, staff & students as well as assisting with
other duties as assigned
Ex-officio
Advisor
The ex-officio advisor
shall be appointed by the principal and will serve as a consultant to the
executive board regarding school policy. The ex-officio advisor shall have no
voting privileges on the board.
Section
3. Elections:
Nominations for new
Executive Board Offices will be taken from the general membership. Those
nominations will subsequently be presented to the general membership for
election to the Executive Board at the Annual meeting in (April).
To be elected, a
candidate must be in good standing (paid membership, regular meeting
attendance, and active participation in PSTO sponsored events) and receive a
majority of the votes from paid members.
Section
4. Eligibility
To be nominated for an
officer position, the member must be a parent/guardian of a current 9th,
10th, 11th, or 12th grade Rich Township High
School student.
To be appointed for the
position of Chairperson, the member must be a parent/guardian in good standing;
or display valued leadership qualities and considered a community leader.
Sections
5. Funds
a. Accounting
of the funds for the PTSO will be on a fiscal year basis running from July1st (current
year) through June 30th
(following
year). The financial records must
be reviewed yearly and turned over to the newly elected Treasurer by July 1.
b. All
funds will be used for the approved activities of the PTSO.
c. All
funds of the PTSO will be deposited at such financial institution as agreed
upon by the Executive Board and the Principal.
d. All
debit card usage must be approved by the Executive Board prior to purchases
e. No
Executive Board member or committee Chairperson may contractually bind the PTSO
without Executive Board approval.
Section
6. Meetings
General Membership
meetings will be held on dates established by the Executive Board.
All members present at a General meeting will constitute a quorum.
A
majority of the Executive Board will constitute a
quorum for the purpose of conducting official business.
Section
7. Committees
The Executive Board will
establish committees of the membership as necessary to further the goals of the
PTSO; and will determine the purpose, scope, and responsibilities of each
committee. The standing PTSO Committees consist of:
1. Scholarship
2. Fundraising
3. Event
Planning
Each committee will have
a chairperson as determined within the committee. The Chairperson will be responsible for the
orderly conduct of its business.
Membership for each committee will consist of volunteers from the
membership of the PTSO.
Each committee will hold
meetings as it deems necessary and will update the general membership
accordingly.
Each committee will abide
by the By-Laws of the PTSO.
No committee may expend
or commit to expend funds of the PTSO without the approval of the Executive
Board.
Section
7.1. Committee Chairpersons:
Committee Chairpersons will
hold office for a period of one (1) year or for a term specified by the
Executive Board, commencing immediately following appointment. If a vacancy occurs (by removal or
resignation), the committee will determine a replacement.
Section
8. Communications
The Executive Board will
be responsible for communication to the general membership (i.e., email, social
media or phone).
All parents and dues
paying members will have access to the various forms of communication.
The Executive Board’s
Secretary will be the point of contact between Rich Township & the general
membership. The Secretary will delegate communication
responsibilities as necessary. No
personal email accounts will be linked to the PTSO email.
Section
9. Removal
Members engaged in
unethical and/or conduct unbecoming that does not reflect the values of the
PTSO can be removed.
Section
10. Amendments
These By-Laws may be
amended at any Executive Board meeting of the PTSO by a two-thirds majority
vote of the membership present