PTO Bylaws 

THE DRISCOLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION ADN BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I: NAME AND LOCATION

  1. The name of this organization shall be the Driscoll School Parent – Teacher Organization (the “PTO”).

  2. The PTO is located at the Driscoll Elementary School, 725 Washington St, Brookline, Massachusetts.

ARTICLE II: FISCAL YEAR

The Fiscal year of the PTO shall end on the 30th day of August in each year, unless otherwise decided by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE

The objectives of the PTO shall be as follows:

  1. To promote the best possible education and educational environment for the Driscoll School students.

  2. To facilitate communication between the home, the Driscoll School, and the Town of Brookline.

  3. To provide financial and voluntary support for the activities and needs of the Driscoll School.

ARTICLE IV: POLICIES

  1. The work of the PTO is educational in nature.

  2. The PTO shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan. No commercial enterprise and no candidate shall be endorsed by it. The name of the PTO and the name of its officers in their official capacities shall not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest, or for any purpose other than the regular work of the PTO.

  3. IT shall be a part of the PTO’s work to raise the necessary funds which support its operation and the purpose of Article III of th bylaws.

  4. The annual meeting shall be held in an open meeting of the PTO in May of each year.

ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

  1. All Driscoll School staff members and Driscoll School parents and guardians are eligible for membership. The membership year runs from the first general meeting of the school year to the first general meeting of the following year. New members may join at any time during the school year.

  2. The amount of membership dues, if any, shall be established by the Executive Committee at the last general meeting in the Spring for the next year. Payment of dues is done on a voluntary basis. Inability to pay dues shall not result in denial of membership.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

  1. Officers: The officers shall be the President(s), Treasure(s) and Secretary/Clerk.

  2. Duties

    1. The President(s) shall preside at all meetings of the PTO, appoint and ad hoc committees and shall serve as ex officio member(s) of all committees established under these bylaws.

    2. The Treasurer shall have charge of the funds of th ePTO, shall pay bills, and collect dues, keep accurate records and receipts and expenditures, disburse funds in such a manner as instructed by the Executive Committee and report the financial status of the PTO upon request of the Executive Committee.

    3. The Secretary/Clerk shall keep accurate record of all general and PTO Board meeting minutes and shall be responsible for making sure that all filings required by law are up to date. In the event the Secretary/Clerk is unable to act, a temporary Secretary/Clerk shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

  3. Election

    1. Each officer shall be elected by a majority of the PTO Board members present at the Spring meeting called for that purpose. Notice of such a meeting shall be given at least 5 days before such meeting . Each officer may serve for a single, three year term and, in the event theres is more than one President, elections shall be staggered so that at least one President is elected each year. In the event of resignation, it may be necessary to elect more than one President in one year. Upon resignation of an officer, a replacement shall be elected by the majority of the PTO Board members present at a meeting called for that purpose.

  4. Resignation

    1. Any officer may resign by delivering a written resignation to the President, if there is more than one President to a  President of Secretary. A Board member of the PTO may resign at any time. If dues are charged, there shall be no refund of dues upon resignation removal of an officer or member.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES AND BOARD MEMBERS

There shall be an Executive Committee, a nominating Committee, a PTO Board and such other committees as shall be established by the membership. The chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by the President(s) in the consultation with PTO Board.

  1. Executive Committee

    1. The Officers shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Presidents(s) may from time to time invite other PTO members to Participate as members of the Executive Committee.

    2. The Executive committee is responsible for determining the yearly budget, for planning and executing PTO activities, including th appropriation and expenditure of necessary funds for these activities. The budget will be presented to the PTO Board for approval.

    3. Executive Committee meeting will be held at the discretion of the officers. The Presidents(s) shall be required to call a meeting at the petition of at least three members of the Executive Committee.

    4. A majority of officers present at any meeting of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum. All matters requiring a vote by the executive committee shall be decided by a simple majority. Notes may be taken verbally or in written form at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

    5. The executive Committee shall also act on behalf of the PTO in between regularly scheduled meetings of its membership.

  2. Nominating Committee

    1. The nominating committee shall consist of a chairperson (chosen by the executive Committee), the current President(s) (unless he/she will be running for office again the next year), one Board Member and the Driscoll School Principal.

    2. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate a candidate for each office and PTO Board to be filled from the general membership. This committee will make  a report and give a suggested list of candidates to the Executive Committee and the officers shall be elected by the PTO membership at the Spring board meeting.

  3. PTO Board

    1. All general meetings of th Driscoll School PTO shall be open to the membership.

    2. The PTO Board shall consist of one head of each of the standing groups (9) and one head of each event (8). Each member of the PTO Board will be nominated by the nominating committee and approved by a majority of the Executive Committee. The Board will attend quarterly meetings to review and approve the budget as determined by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

  1. At least two general meetings shall be held each year, one shall be held during the fall (September – December) and one during the spring (January – June). The exact dates will be left to the discretion of the Executive Committee. At least five days notice shall be given prior to any meeting of the PTO membership. Publication in the PTO newsletter shall constitute adequate notice.

  2. At majority of those present at any meeting of the membership at which at least 8 members are present shall constitute a quorum.

  3. Should a need artist, a meeting of the Executive Committee may be called by the Presidents(s) or any two members of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IX: COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE LAWS

  1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the association is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under IRC Section 501 (c) (3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax law.

  2. No part of the net earnings of the PTO shall be used for th benefit of any members, Board Members, Trustee, director, officer of the PTO or any private individual (except reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the association), and no member, trustee, officer of the PTO shall be entitled to share in the distribution of the PTO’s assets on dissolution of the association.

  3. No substantial part of the activities of the PTO shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by Internal Revenue Code Section 501(h)) and the PTO shall not participate in, or internet in (including publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidates for public office.

  4. In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the association shall, after necessary expense thereof, be distributed to another association exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3), or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws, or the Federal government, or state or local government for a public purpose, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court of the State of Massachusetts.

ARTICLE X: ADOTION AND AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

  1. The adoption of these articles of the association and by-laws shall be accomplished by affirmative vote of the majority of the Board present at an Executive Committee meeting at which at least a quorum is present.

  2. These by-laws may be amended or revised by a two-thirds vote of the Board and Officers present and voting, provided at least 10 days’ notice of the proposed amendment/revision has been given previously. Publication in the PTO newsletter shall constitute adequate notice.

ARTICLE XI: INDEMNIFICATION

The members and officers of the PTO shall not be personally liable for any debt, liability, or obligation of the PTO. All persons, corporations or other entities extending credit to, contracting with, or having any claim against the PTO may look only to the funds and property of the PTO for payment of any debt, damages, judgment, or decree, or of any money that may otherwise become due or payable to them from the PTO.