ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization is Central Parent Teacher Organization, hereinafter referred to as the PTO.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

1. To promote the welfare of Central Elementary students within the school and community.
   
   
2. To bring into closer relationship the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate effectively in the education of our children.
   
   
3. To assist and support the school administrators and faculty in all areas where members may be asked to serve, and where the organization judges that its contribution will be meaningful.
   
   
4. To provide educational enhancement through its membership drive and fundraising activities.

ARTICLE III - BASIC POLICIES

1. This organization and its publications shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian and non-partisan. It shall not endorse a commercial enterprise or political candidate.
   
   
2. This organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies whose objectives, purpose, and activities are consistent with the objectives contained within these Bylaws.
   
   
3. This organization shall not seek to direct the administrative activities of the school or to control its policies, but shall be free to make recommendations to the School Board or the School Administration.
   
   
4. All members of this organization are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner that will not disrupt the orderly process of any PTO meeting. If a disruption occurs, either a member of the Executive Board or the Principal has the right to table the issue until a later date.
   
   
5. All members of this organization are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner when representing the organization in the school or in the community.
   
   
6. This organization shall maintain a minimum balance of $1,500 in its treasury to carry over to begin the next school year.
   
   
7. Members of the Executive Board may approve expenditures up to five hundred (500) dollars for materials for a PTO function without prior membership approval. All expenditures are reported by the Treasurer at the subsequent PTO membership meeting.
   
   
8. The initiation of new projects to be undertaken by the PTO and all disbursements of PTO funds over $500 must be approved by a ¾ majority vote of members present at that particular PTO meeting.
   
   
9. In the event of dissolution of this organization, all remaining funds will be transferred to Central Elementary School.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

1. Membership is open to all parents and guardians of children enrolled at Central Elementary School.
   
   
2. Faculty and Administration of Central Elementary School are granted honorary membership.
   
   
3. Membership in the PTO does not entail any obligation to play an active role in PTO affairs, although such participation is encouraged. All members may participate in business meetings and may serve in an appointive capacity. Members are bound to observe and abide by this Constitution and Bylaws. In addition, all dues-paying members have voting privileges and may serve on the Executive Board.
   
   
4. An annual membership drive, under the direction of the President, shall be initiated at the start of the school year. However, membership can be accommodated at any time. The Executive Board shall set dues on an annual basis. Dues shall cover the period of August through the following July. The dues help support PTO activities. Failure to pay the dues will not prevent a member from participating fully in the non-voting affairs of the PTO.

ARTICLE V - GENERAL MEETINGS

1. Regular business meetings shall be held at least two times a year, in accordance with the schedule set forth by the Executive Board. All business meetings shall be announced to the PTO at least 24 hours in advance and be open to all members of the PTO.
   
   
2. If some matter of pending business cannot wait until the next regular business meeting, a special business meeting may be held by agreement of the Executive Board.
   
   
3. All parliamentary procedures of the PTO are guided by Robert's Rules of Order.
   
   
4. Eight members (including Executive Board members) constitute a quorum at all meetings of the organization.

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION

1. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
   
   
2. The Executive Board shall accept nominations and/or volunteers from the general membership for the four Executive Board positions by sending out an approved nomination form.
   
   
3. Only dues-paying members have voting privileges and are eligible to serve on the Executive Board.
   
   
4. Nominations will be posted prior to the final PTO membership meeting of the current school year.
   
   
5. The election of officers shall occur at the final PTO membership meeting of the current school year or by ballot.
   
   
6. New officers shall assume their duties at the last business meeting of the current school year.
   
   
7. The term of office for each Executive Board member shall be one (1) year and no member may serve more than two (2) terms in the same office. If a volunteer does not come forward to accept an open position and the current officer chooses to remain, the term can be extended by a membership vote. Any Executive Board member may resign upon written request to the Executive Board or by a special election at a business meeting.
   
   
8. If a vacancy occurs in the office of President during an unexpired term, the Vice President shall serve the remaining term.
   
   
9. A vacancy occurring in any other Executive Board office shall be filled for the unexpired term by majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board with proper notice of such election given in advance.
   
   
10. If the Executive Board has evidence that any given chairperson is not conducting his/her job in the best interest of the PTO, the Executive Board shall review and decide on further action. The Principal and the chairperson will be advised and action taken. The general membership will be advised of any changes either through the PTO newsletter (Central Pipeline) or at a subsequent membership meeting.
    
    
11. Meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President or by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
    
    
12. The Executive Board shall review and approve Enhancement Fund requests upon receipt. The disposition of each request shall be reported at the subsequent PTO membership meeting.
    
    

ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

1. It shall be the duty of the President to:
   • Preside over all PTO meetings.
     
     
   • Act as liaison between school staff (Principal and Faculty) and the PTO, insuring the needs of both are met.
     
     
   • Submit PTO calendar to the Hampton Township School District Administration via the school secretary by end-of-year.
     
     
   • Meet individually or collectively with teachers when necessary to welcome, question, coordinate or enlist their aid.
     
     
   • Oversee all activities and projects of the PTO
     
     
   • Assume the duties of Key Communicator and attend monthly Key Communicator meetings as scheduled by HTSD administration. Publish and distributes notes taken from those meetings to Central School families (via the Thursday packet known as the Central Scoop).
     
     
   • Review and approve the PTO newsletter (known as the Central Pipeline) produced by the Secretary and submit to the Principal for distribution in the Thursday packet (known as the Central Scoop).
     
     
   • Receive Enhancement Fund requests offered for educational purposes and review them with the Executive Board for approval.
     
     
   • Collect all PTO membership dues and give money to the Treasurer to be deposited.
     
     
2. It shall be the duty of the Vice President to:
   • Act as an aide to the President and fulfill the duties of the President in the event the President cannot serve.
     
     
   • Form and chair a Bylaws Committee to review and update (as necessary) the organization's Bylaws at least every two years.
     
     
   • Receive and report monthly status summary from each Standing Committee chairperson.
     
     
   • Beginning in February, distribute nomination forms and organize chairpersons for the next school year.
     
     
   • Assume the duties of a Key Communicator and attend monthly Key Communicator meetings as needed.
     
     
   • In the absence of the Treasurer, sign checks for disbursements.
     
     
3. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
   • Record the minutes of each PTO meeting and submit for correction at subsequent meeting.
     
     
   • Submit a copy of the approved meeting minutes to the school Principal.
     
     
   • Post a copy of the approved minutes on the designated PTO bulletin boards in the front and back of the school building.
     
     
   • Handle all incoming and outgoing correspondence, including thank you notes, sympathy cards, invitations, information requests, etc.
     
     
   • Publish and distribute informative communications in the PTO newsletter (known as the Central Pipeline) on a regular basis.
     
     
   • Maintain a central file of all correspondence and associated paper work.
     
     
   • Maintain inventory of copy paper in building. Label each box for “PTO” use only.
     
     
   • Provide each committee with a list of volunteer helpers from the annual PTO questionnaire completed and submitted as part of the membership drive.
     
     
4. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:
   • Act as account manager to PTO checking account. Receive all bank statements and other account correspondence from bank.
     
     
   • Manage funds maintained in 'school account' (managed also by the school principal's secretary). This account is funded by the PTO and is primarily used to finance items purchased for the enhancement fund program.
     
     
   • Handle and record all income and disbursements.
     
     
   • Provide monthly financial statement at business meetings to include at minimum:
     i. Previous balance
     ii. Income (Receipts)
     iii. Disbursements
     iv. Previously approved future expenses
     v. Discretionary balance
     vi. Enhancement funds
     
     
   • Monitor cash flow for all events involving cash transactions.
     
     
   • The budget year shall be August 1 through July 31. A preliminary year-to-date summary report shall be provided at the final membership meeting of the current school year. A final year-end summary report shall be provided at the first membership meeting of the school year.

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES

1. Standing Committees shall be created by the Executive Board as deemed necessary to promote the objectives and carry on the work of the organization. Chairpersons of Standing Committees may remain on such committees for at least two (2) years with the option of remaining in the position, via a vote, if there is no other interested member.
   
   The Standing Committees are:
   1. Assembly Coordinator
   2. Book Fair
   3. Central's Heart
   4. Field Day
   5. Holiday Secret Shop
   6. Homeroom Parents/Phone Chain
   7. Hospitality
   8. Market Da
   9. New Student Liaison
   10. Reward/Point Programs
       i. Box Tops For Education
       ii. Campbell Soup Labels
       iii. Giant Eagle (Apples for Students)
       iv. Ink/Printer Cartridges
       v. Shop n Save Receipts
       vi. Misc (Target, Stargate, Technology for Kids, etc)
   11. School Directory
   12. School Picture Day
   13. School Store
   14. Spirit Wear
   15. Summer Reader Program
   16. Talent Show
   17. Ways and Means
       i. Fall Fundraiser
       ii. Spring Fundraiser
   18. Yearbook
       
       
2. Committee Chairperson/Co-chairperson is a voluntary position. In a case where no volunteer is forthcoming to chair a committee, the associated activity shall be cancelled.
   
   
3. Executive Board members shall make themselves available to the committees.
   
   
4. A representative of the committee shall report, preferably in person, at each scheduled PTO meeting to advise on progress, seek assistance, etc.
   
   
5. The school Principal must approve all committee correspondence/flyers before distribution. The PTO President should be made aware (i.e. by copy or phone call) of this information before it is distributed.
   
   
6. A committee chairperson must keep a file with complete and accurate records of all committee correspondence and activities. This file shall be passed onto the subsequent chairperson at the end of the school year.
   
   
7. The President and/or Executive Board may appoint special committees. The term of a special committee expires when its purpose or activity is completed.

ARTICLE IX - BYLAW AMENDMENTS

1. Every two (2) years, the Executive Board and Principal shall review the existing Bylaws.
   
   
2. Any proposed revision to the Bylaws shall be made available to the general membership and voted on at a subsequent membership meeting.
   
   
3. These Bylaws may be revised at any regular meeting of the organization by a 2/3 vote of the voting members present, provided notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given at a previous meeting.
   
   
4. Copies of these revised Bylaws shall be available for distribution. A copy shall be kept in the main office.
   
   
5. This Constitution and Bylaws revised and submitted on January 24, 2007 by the Principal of Central Elementary School and the Central PTO Executive Board:

Cathleen Cubelic, Principal
Danelle Jameson, Co-President
Kelly Staszak, Co-President
Colleen Kowalski, Vice-President
Adrianne DiDonato, Treasurer
Alice Uehling, Co-Secretary
Cynthia McCulley, Co-Secretary

These Bylaws were approved by the PTO General Membership on March 6, 2007.