Article I – Name

The name of this organization is the Oliver Heckman Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

Article II – Objectives

To keep the parents informed of developments within the school.
To foster a closer relationship between home and school so that parents and teachers may cooperate in the education of children.
To raise funds for the purchase of school equipment, supplies. Class trips, assembly programs and other material and services as the PTO Board and Principal deems appropriate.
To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children.

Article II – Basic Policies

The organization shall be non-profit, non-sectarian, and non-partisan.
The organization is a self-governing unit that plans its activities for the good of the school and the community.
The name of the organization or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the organization.
The organization shall cooperate with schools to support the improvement of education in ways that will not interfere with administration of the schools and shall not seek to control their policies.
The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with welfare, but persons representing the organization shall make no commitment that binds the organization.
In the event of the dissolution of the organization, its assets shall be put in trust until a new board can be organized.
The majority of the attending board shall approve all financial disbursements. At such times a phone vote is deemed necessary, the majority of the elected officials shall approve financial disbursements.
All candidates and chairperson shall receive a copy of this organization’s by- laws. Any PTO member may also request a copy of the organization’s by-laws.

Article IV – Membership and Due

Family membership dues in the organization shall be set annually by the PTO Board prior to the new school year.
The organization will conduct annual enrollment of members but persons may be admitted to the organization at any time.
The privilege of holding office and/or serving on the PTO Board shall be limited to members of this organization.

Article V – PTO Board, Officers and Their Election.

The PTO board consists of elected officers, teacher liaisons, the principal and all committee chairpersons. Only the board members, in attendance, can vote on PTO matters.
The elected officers of this organization shall consist of a president, first vice-president, second vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer and historian.
Officers of this organization shall be elected by ballot every year prior to the expiration of the school year for the ensuing year. Nominees receiving the majority of the votes cast shall be declared the winner. However, if there is but one nominee for any office it shall be in order to move that the recording secretary cast the elective ballot of the organization for the nominees.
The shall be a nominating committee composed of one to three members. This committee shall nominate a slate for the offices to be filled and report its nominees at a regular meeting at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor.
Only those persons who have signified their consent to serve if elected shall be nominated for or elected to such office
A vacancy occurring in any elected officers position shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board.
No officer shall be eligible to serve in the same office for more that three consecutive terms.
Any PTO Board member may be removed, and his/her privileges terminated, for failure to perform the required duties of the organization or for misconduct. Misconduct is any action physical or verbal not in the best interest of the organization. This decision to remove someone from the PTO board shall be approved by the majority of the elected officers, or remaining officers.

Article VI – Duties of Elected Officers

The president shall preside at all meeting of the organization and of the PTO board at which s/h may be present. The president shall be responsible for providing an agenda at each monthly meeting. S/he is responsible for timely review and distribution of PTO mail. The president, together with the principal, organizes the calendar of events for the PTO activities.
The first vice president shall act as an aide to the president and shall perform the duties of president in the absence or inability of that office to act. S/he shall oversee all committees and shall ensure all committee folders kept up to date. All committee folders should be turned over following the specific event. S/he shall perform such duties as may be delegated by the elected officers.
The second vice president shall act as an aide to the president and shall perform the duties of president in the absence of the president and first vice president. The second vice president shall review the financials on a periodic basis, as presented by the Treasurer, work with the teacher liaisons and shall perform such duties as may be delegated by the elected officers.
The recording secretary shall record the minutes of all the meetings of the organization, shall include a list of all received correspondence, to be presented with the monthly minutes report and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the elected officers.
The treasurer shall have custody of all of the funds of the organization, shall keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures, and shall make disbursements in accordance with the approved budget as authorized by the organization, the PTO board, or a special committee. The treasurer shall present a financial statement at every meeting of the organization and at other times when requested by the PTO board. The treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of such books of account and records ad shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the elected officers.
The corresponding secretary shall run a yearly membership drive and deliver membership cards to members. S/he must compile a list of PTO members indicating their interest to be used by the first vice president and chairpersons. S/he should compile a class membership roster.
The historian shall keep a chronological book of PTO flyers, events and other documents. These materials shall be maintained for the purpose of keeping a history of the organization and to orient succeeding PTO boards.
The teacher liaison(s) shall represent the interest of the school staff.

Articles VII – Duties of Chairpersons

It is the responsibility of the chairpersons to enlist his/her own support with the list provided by the first vice president/corresponding secretary.
It is the responsibility of the chairperson to write up and deliver all home communications to the school office at least one week before distribution. Notices must have a board or principal approval.
It is the responsibility of the chairperson to provide the historian with a copy of all materials distributed to the students.
It is the responsibility of the chairperson to maintain a committee folder that includes a description; budget, timeline, documentation and resources need to facilitate a successful event.

Articles VIII – Future revisions of PTO By-Laws

Formal proposals may be presented a PTO meeting. Discussions of the proposal will be held for least two add ional meetings. A formal vote may be taken at the following meeting.

Last Revised: 11/15/01

Past Revisions: 6/10/87, 2/16/95