We are becoming a new PTO this coming school year.

I have put a code of conduct in the by-laws. Some people are arguing that it should be separate from the by-laws. Personal experience has prompted me to want something like this.

This is the tentative code of conduct I am suggesting.


Article V: Code of Conduct
Distinct responsibilities come with being a volunteer of a nonprofit organization. In your position, you have accepted an obligation to act in the best interests of the organization as a whole. All officers and members are expected to adhere carefully to the policies, goals and principles of the organization and to set an example of civic volunteerism.
During your service to our organization and our community, we hope you will keep these principles in mind:
Organizational goals before personal goals: Put the best interests of the entire program ahead of individual desires. We are here to serve all the children with quality programs.
Don't complain about it, do something: Minimize complaints and pettiness. Look for ways to improve the organization rather than pointing fingers.
Speak up when you have questions or disagree, but support the final decision of the organization: Once an issue has been discussed and decided, support it and defend it. We may make mistakes, but we do so in good faith with the best interests of all children at heart. Be a good ambassador. Look for opportunities to introduce yourself to parents new to our program. Ask for their comments and input and invite them to help. Be open to all parents. Address rumors and misunderstandings. Ask complainers to help out. By being open and communicating, we can head off misunderstandings.
Accept responsibility: Take on your share of the work. Do your best, ask for help and look for ways to improve prior practices. Accept blame graciously and give credit to your colleagues. Work together. Work with and communicate with the rest of the board, officers and volunteers. We need to restrain egos and share ideas and responsibility.
Think broadly: Look at problems from an organization-wide perspective. Focus on the best interests of all the children. Look for ways to use older children to help younger ones. Look for ways to collaborate with other towns and other local organizations. Look for ways to draw on the expertise of our parents.
Treat your colleagues respectfully: Give your colleagues the benefit of the doubt. They are volunteers just like you, doing their best to help build a quality program for our kids. Conflicts should focus on issues, not personalities or individuals. Courtesy goes a long way toward building harmony and cooperation.
Know what's going on: If you have an older student, talk to the folks involved with the youngest kids. Go to our meetings and programs. Ask questions. Get answers. Keep your finger on the pulse of our organization. Talk to the teachers.
Be altruistic: Volunteer to help a group even if your child is not affected. We all need to be willing to help each other for the best overall good of our children.
Periodically review the organization and its programs: Take a fresh look at how things are done. Don't be afraid to enlist new talent. Teach them how things have been done in the past, but don't handcuff innovation and improvement.
Thank you for your commitment to our organization, and we look forward to working side-by-side with you for the interests of our kids!
During your service to our organization and our community, we hope you will keep these principles in mind.
Article VI Officers and Their Elections
a) The officers of this organization shall be no more than the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer.
b) Officers shall be elected at the May meeting of the organization by the members present.
c) Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the current school year of their election. (i.e. last day of school in June following their election.)
d) Officers of this organization shall be elected in the following manner:
i. Elections will occur every year.
ii. Appropriate notification of elections will be given to the school populace.
iii. If assigned, the nominating committee shall present a slate of nominees for all offices to be filled and report the slate of nominees to the PTO members at the April meeting of the organization.
iv. Following the report from the nominating committee, an opportunity shall be given for nominations from the floor.
v. Only those who have consented to serve shall be eligible for nomination, either by the committee or from the floor.
e) A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the executive board committee.
f) Removal. Any officer may be removed from office by the affirmative vote of two thirds of all the officers at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, for conduct detrimental to the interests of the Corporation, for lack of sympathy with its objects, or for refusal to render reasonable assistance in carrying out its purposes. Any officer proposed to be removed shall be entitled to at least five days' notice in writing by mail of the meeting of the officers at which such removal is to be voted upon and shall be entitled to appear before and be heard by the officers at such meeting.