CITIZENS MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PTO

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the Organization shall be the Citizens Memorial Elementary
School Parent Teacher Organization.

ARTICLE II: MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of this organization shall be to foster a closer relationship
between home and school so that parents and teachers work collaboratively
for the well-rounded education of all Citizens Memorial Elementary School
students.
ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Citizens Memorial Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization is a
non-profit organization established:

To enhance the educational environment at Citizens Memorial

Elementary School.

To promote understanding and communication between faculty,

parents and staff.
To provide and enhance educational, recreational and cultural
opportunities for all Citizens Memorial Elementary School students by
offering financial and creative support.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERS

Section 1. Member Categories
A. Voting Members
All parents, caretakers, or legal guardians of students who are attending
Citizens Memorial Elementary School and all faculty and staff of Citizens
Memorial Elementary School shall be eligible for membership in the
organization and shall be designated as Voting Members.
Voting Members shall have the right to attend and participate in all meetings
and activities of the organization and to hold office.
Voting Members are entitled to cast one vote in the election of Officers or
for the purpose of amending these Bylaws.
B. Non-voting Members
1) Advisory Member: The Principal, by virtue of the office, shall serve in an
advisory capacity to the Organization and shall be deemed an Advisory
Member. This shall be a non-voting position. If the principal has a child
currently attending Citizens Memorial Elementary School, his or her status
as a parent, caretaker, or legal guardian supersedes his or her status as
Principal.

Section 2. Responsibilities

A. Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of all members to attend meetings, contribute

suggestions, and to support the Organizations projects by
volunteering to help and be present at functions.
It is the responsibility of the President to attend PAC meetings once
a month at WMS Hamlet.
It is expected that all members will conduct themselves in a
professional manner at all times. This includes communication with
other parents, social media, and at school functions.

ARTICLE V: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Nominations
Officers will be elected from a slate of officer candidates based on
candidates requests to hold a position. Another parent, teacher or Principal
may nominate candidates.
The Principal or Teachers shall solicit nominations for any office for which
no eligible nomination was made.
Candidates for the office of President must have one (1) full term of prior
service unless no other willing nominee exists.
The names of eligible candidates accepting their nominations will be
published in at least one piece of correspondence and on the PTO Webpage
prior to the election.
Section 2. Elections
Procedure
Officers shall be elected by confidential, written ballot to the Principal and
Parent Liaison.
Confidential ballots shall be returned and deposited in a receptacle located
in the school office.

A majority, defined, as 50% plus one (1) of the votes shall be necessary for
election. In the event of a tie or in a race with multiple candidates where no
single candidate obtains a majority vote, there shall be a runoff between
those two candidates who receive the most votes.
The Principal and Parent Liaison will count the ballots and will notify all
candidates of the election outcome.
An official announcement of the election outcome will be made at the next
General Meeting and will be published in at least one piece of
correspondence and on the PTO Webpage immediately following the close of
that meeting.
Assumption of Office
Officers shall assume their official duties following the meeting in February.
ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. Members
The Executive Board shall consist of the Principal, President, Parent Liaison,
a Teacher Representative, Secretary, and Treasurer.
A. President The President:

Shall be the principal executive officer of the Organization and shall

supervise and manage all of the activities of the Organization.
Shall coordinate the work of the Officers and committees of the
Organization in order that the purposes of the Organization shall be
promoted.
Shall develop meeting agendas.
Shall preside at all PTO meetings and be the representative at all PAC
meetings.
Shall oversee and facilitate the creation of committees and selection
of chairpersons.
Shall be an ex-officio member of all committees of the Organization.
Shall inform the Organization of district functions, policies and
meetings affecting the Citizens Memorial Elementary School PTO.

Shall maintain regular communications with the Principal.

B. Secretary The Secretary:

Shall record and report printed minutes of each meeting of the

organization by the next meeting date; and shall assist in answering
questions, which may arise during the school year pertaining to any
previous meetings.
Shall maintain a file of meeting information including agendas, roll
sheets, Secretarys Reports, Treasurers Reports, and
Correspondence.
Shall keep a register of the members and provide the same to the
Officers and to the Principal.
Shall maintain a register of PTO events for the creation of Event
Binders, to the other members and to the Principal.
Shall maintain a file in which the current Bylaws are kept so that
amendments can immediately be entered as amended.
Shall assist other PTO Officers in the production of correspondence
as needed.

C. Teacher Representative The Teacher Representative:

One (1) or two (2) faculty members selected by the Principal and
approved by the President and Parent Liaison.

D. Parent Liaison The Parent Liaison:

Is hired through the Woonsocket Education Department - Title 1

grant

E. Treasurer The Treasurer:

Shall be the custodian of all financial records of the Organization in
partnership with the Principal and one other member.
Shall be in charge of and be responsible for all funds of the
organization in partnership with the Principal and one other member.
Shall receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the
organization.

Shall deposit such funds in a financial institution selected by the

Executive Board.
Shall make disbursements as authorized by the President or
membership in accordance with the budget adopted by the
membership.
All deposits and/or disbursements shall be made within a maximum of
thirty (30) days from the receipt of the funds and/or requests for
payment.
Shall present a written financial report quarterly and a report at
year-end.
A proposed budget shall be reported by the Treasurer at the
Executive Board meeting prior to the beginning of the School year.
Section 2. Meetings
Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held in August, January and June.
Adequate notice of meetings shall be given to all members of the Executive
Board; and, in the absence of an emergency, notice shall be at least seven (7)
days in advance.
Quorum
A majority of the members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
Voting
Any meeting that has a quorum shall require a majority vote of those
Executive Board members present in order to take action on behalf of the
Board.
Section 3. General Powers
The Executive Board shall manage the affairs, activities and operation of
the Organization. The Executive Board shall transact necessary business
during the intervals between the meetings of the membership and such
other business as may be referred to it by the membership, administration,

or these Bylaws.
It may create Special Committees; approve the plans and work of Special
Committees; present reports and recommendations at the meetings of the
membership; prepare and submit a budget to the membership for approval;
and, in general, conduct the business and activities of the Organization.
Section 4. Authority
The Officers of the Organization shall have no powers beyond those granted
in these Bylaws. They may take no action that exceeds this limitation until it
is approved by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Board and
Principal, or by a proper vote of the Voting Members at a properly called
General Membership or Special Meeting as defined herein.
Section 5. Vacancies
The Executive Board shall immediately address a vacancy in any office.
Should a vacancy occur in the office of the President, the Treasurer shall
immediately assume the office for the remaining portion of the term.
Should a vacancy occur in the office of Secretary or Treasurer for any
reason, the vacancy shall be filled by election at the next regular meeting of
the membership, consistent with the procedures established herein.
Section 6. Term of Office
An Officers term shall be one year from to May to May.
No restriction exists on consecutive terms of office in order to insure that
positions on the Executive Board are filled by willing candidates.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section 1. General Membership Meetings
General Membership Meetings shall be held monthly, with a minimum of five
meetings during the school year.

The time and place of the meetings shall be announced by written notice to
the membership at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Additional meetings of the Organization may be called either by vote of the
Executive Board or by petition of a majority of the Voting Members to the
Executive Board. Such requests shall be in writing and shall state the
purpose of the meeting. The time and place of all Special Meetings shall be
announced by written notice to the membership at least four (4) days prior
to the meeting.
Quorum
Those persons present at a properly called General Membership Meeting or
Special Meeting shall be designated as a quorum.
Majority Vote
A majority vote shall be defined as two-thirds (2/3) of those members
present. The President shall abstain from voting except for the purpose of
breaking a tie vote.
Conduct of Meetings
Meetings shall be conducted according to Roberts Rule of Order. Motions
shall be made, seconded, discussed, amended and voted on in due course.
Motions or business that is tabled shall be considered at the next meeting
or at some other agreed upon time.
ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES
Section 1. Special Committees
The Executive Board may create Special Committees. Special Committees
shall be created for a specific time period or to perform a specific task on
behalf of the membership. Special Committees shall cease to exist when
that time period or task has been completed, or at the end of each school

year unless granted an extension by the incoming Executive Board.

The Executive Board shall appoint chairpersons of all Special Committees.
Only Voting Members may serve as chairpersons. Any PTO members may
serve on the committee.
ARTICLE IX: FINANCES
Section 1. Budget
The Executive Board shall present an anticipated budget for approval at the
first General Membership Meeting of the year. This budget shall be used to
guide the activities of the Executive Board during the year.
Section 2. Financial Obligations
The Executive Board may authorize any Officer or Officers to enter into
contracts or agreements for the purchase of materials or services only on
behalf of the Parent Teacher Organization.
Section 3. Loans
No loans shall be made by the Organization.
Section 4. Commercial Paper
The PTO checking account will carry two authorized signatures as required
by the designated financial institution. All checks, drafts, or other orders
for the payment of money on behalf of the Organization must be signed by
two members and approved by the Principal.

ARTICLE X: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern
the Organization in cases where these Bylaws are silent.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS

Written notice must be given to the membership at least seven (7) days in
advance of a properly called General Membership Meeting or Special
Meeting for the purpose of amending these Bylaws.
A two-thirds vote of Members present is required in order to pass an
amendment to these Bylaws.