ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Island Avenue School Parent Teacher Organization.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE

The objective of the PTO shall be to create a closer relationship between home and school, to provide the best possible learning environment, and to provide and maintain an open network of communications between school and community.

ARTICLE III: POLICIES

1) This organization shall be non-profit, non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan.

2) This organization shall not endorse a commercial enterprise or candidate.

3) The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies active in child education and welfare, provided its representatives make no commitments that binds the group it represents.

4) The organization shall not seek to direct the administrative activities of the school, nor to direct its policies.

5) The organization shall direct any grievances pertaining to the faculty, staff, or educational programs through the proper channels of communications established by the Board of Education.

6) No profits shall proceed to any officer or member of the organization.

7) The organization shall be supportive of the educational program, and shall be developed through volunteer services, supplemental educational programs, and fundraising projects.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

1) Membership in the organization is open to all faculty, parents and legal guardians of students attending Island Avenue School who agree to abide by the rules and regulations described in the by-laws of this organization.

2) Payment of dues is required for voting membership in the PTO. Dues will be established in June by the incoming Executive Board, and voted on by the membership at the August meeting.

3) Term of membership shall be from July 1 to June 30.

4) All members shall be entitled to:

a) Nominate persons for the Executive Board by submitting names of candidates to the nominating committee.

b) Submit policy and action proposals to the Executive Board for resolution by the Board.

c) Vote for members of the Executive Board.

d) Vote to remove a member from the Executive Board.

e) Hold a position as a member of the Board or office of the Executive Board.

f) Vote on resolutions and other business as is conducted at annual or special meetings.

ARTICLE V: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of this organization shall be July 1 - June 30.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

1) There shall be a minimum of four meetings annually.

2) The annual meeting shall be held in May of each year, at which time election of officers shall take place, and annual reports given.

3) Notification of the annual meeting shall be sent to the general membership at least seven days in advance of the meeting date.

4) Special meetings of the membership may be called for any purpose at any time by the president, a majority vote of action of the Board, or the action of any ten or more voting members.

5) The Executive Board shall consist of:

a) Co-Presidents

b) Co-Vice-Presidents

c) Secretary

d) Treasurer

6) It shall be the duty of any outgoing officers to submit written reports to the new officers to insure effective transition of responsibilities.

7) Four members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII: ELECTION OF OFFICERS, TERMS OF OFFICE

1) NOMINATIONS

a) A nominating committee will be convened annually in March. The committee shall be comprised of the Principal of Island Avenue School, a Chairperson, and four PTO members in good standing. The latter shall consist of two Board members and two members at large.

b) The first order of business shall be to elect a Chairperson. The Chairperson shall ascertain if any Nominating Committee member wishes to run for one of the elected offices; if so; that member shall be replaced on the Nominating Committee to avoid a conflict of interest.

c) The Nominating Committee shall, after soliciting nominations from the general membership, prepare a slate of officer candidates to be presented to the membership at the annual meeting. Each candidate shall be approved by a majority of the Nominating Committee.

d) The Secretary shall notify the membership of the slate of candidates for the Executive Board at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting.

2) VACANCY

A vacancy occurring in an office shall be filled by a candidate selected by the Executive Committee.

3) ELECTION

a) At the annual meeting, election of officer candidates who run unopposed may be by hand vote. Where there are two or more candidates for one office, elections may be by secret ballot.

b) Each voting member of the organization shall be able to cast one vote for each of the six elected officer positions.

4) TERMS OF OFFICE

a) The officers of the organization shall be elected annually for a term of one year.

b) An elected officer may not serve more than two consecutive years in any one office.

5) INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS & MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

a) The Executive Board shall convene a meeting designated for the installation of new officers, following the annual elections, but prior to the close of the school year. Outgoing officers, officers-elect, and the Principal Secretary.

b) The By-laws and records of the organization shall be turned over to the Co-Presidents-elect by the outgoing Co-Presidents. At this meeting, the newly elected officers become the official Executive Board for the organization for the next school year.

c) Other Board Positions will be established and appointed by the outgoing Executive Board to the best of its ability.

ARTICLE VIII: DISCIPLINE

1) Charges of professional dishonesty, working against the principles and purposes of the organization and/or injuring the professional standing of another member, may be filed in a written statement, signed by five members in good standing, and submitted to the Executive Board.

2) The accused member shall be notified in writing of all allegations, and shall have the privilege of being present at a special or regular meeting of the Executive Board, at which time the charges will be considered.

3) A member may be suspended from the organization by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, subsequent to the execution of the procedures set forth in Sections One and Two of this article.

4) If any member of the Board misses more than three meetings in a row, it shall be the duty of the Co-Presidents to contact Board member and ascertain interest in remaining on the Board.

ARTICLE IX: RULES OF ORDER

The meetings of the organization shall be run according to the rules contained in "Robert's Rules of Order", Revised.

ARTICLE X: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

1) Co-President: The Co-Presidents will preside at all meetings of the organization. They shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board. They shall assist the Vice- Co-Presidents in appointing the chairmen of all standing committees. The Co-Presidents shall appoint a Nominating Committee and any other special committee they deem necessary. They shall serve as ex-officio members of all committees, except the Nominating Committee. As Chief Executives of the organization the Co-Presidents shall be responsible to perform the necessary duties that are needed for the benefit of the PTO. If for any reason the Treasurer is unable to pay bills having been approved for payment under the Executive Board, the Co-Presidents shall have the authority to do so. They shall receive written reports and make reports available to new officers and committee chairmen. They shall at no time serve on the Nominating Committee. The Co-Presidents shall keep in constant communication with one another in relation to their appointed committees.

2) Vice-Presidents: Vice-Presidents shall be prepared to perform all duties of the Presidents in the absence of the Presidents, or when called upon to do so. They shall coordinate the organization's standing committees, and maintain continuous communication between the Committee Chairmen and the Co-Presidents. Coordinate guest speaker events.

3) Secretary: The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meeting. The Secretary shall keep a list of members and their individual member status. He/She shall handle all the correspondence required by the council, or as directed by the Co-Presidents and/or Executive Board. He/She shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him/her.

4) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the PTO, shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures through the use of the required check request/reimbursement form drafted by the Treasurer and approved by the Executive Board, and shall pay out funds only as authorized by the council and or Executive Board. Expenses incurred may only be paid out by the Treasurer if the reimbursement form/receipt is presented to the Treasurer or Executive Board within 30 days of the event in which the expense was incurred or within 30 days of the date of the receipt, otherwise payment will need to be approved by the executive board. The Treasurer shall present a statement of account at every meeting, and shall make a semi-annual report in January and an annual full report in May. The Treasurer shall be responsible for assisting the elected successor with the preparation of the following year's budget. Coordinate Fall Membership Drive.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members present and voting, at any regular meeting of the organization, annual meeting, or special meeting convened for the purpose of amending these By-laws. Notice of the proposed amendments shall be available to all members at least thirty days prior to a vote.

ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution of the organization, the net assets after payment of debts will proceed directly to the Island Avenue School.