I'm finding that you will not ever please everyone and agree that you gave plenty of notice for all the ammendments,where was this parent when the first two meetings were held? Sometimes you just have to stick to your guns and say whats done is done. Good luck
If your bylaws are silent on the issue of ammendments, you can fall back on Roberts Rules of Order which says you must provide previous notice of the meeting and get approval from 2/3 of the voting members to approve the ammendment. It sounds to me that your group did your best to notify your members about the bylaws and solicit their input. You should feel good about that. I, too, am curious of your member's motivation. Got any ideas what's at the root of her issue?
According to our PTO's bylaws, we are required to table any proposed bylaw ammendment until the next regularly scheduled meeting. This allows members time to consider the ammendment, and keeps one person from making a bylaw change on the fly.
What do your bylaws say about amendments? You should have put in some rules about how to change the rules.
Most bylaws I'm familiar with require something on the order of one meeting to make the motion to amend the bylaws, and then a second meeting to actually vote on the motion. If you've had your last regularly scheduled meeting, then meetings necessary to amend the bylaws will have to be called under the rules for special meetings.
What you didn't say is why this member wants the amendment. Is she hoping to run for office and take over? Or is she the type who thinks she has a better idea how others should do the job?
I am new to this website and have always found it very informative. Now I am looking for some guidance. I am the PTO Vice President of a K-6 Elementary School in Florida. Last year I was "elected" (no one else wanted the job) as were the other 3 board members. At the begining of the School year, We voted in new By-Laws. After much research by the officers as well as the school secretary, the old By-laws were found and were outdated. We asked for a committee to help write the new ones and of course no one volunteered. We wrote new By-Laws, made copies readily available to all PTO Members and informed them in Writing that there would be a meeting to discuss any changes. Meeting came and went with no suggestions. We then notified all members of a meeting to vote in the By-Laws, evening meeting, brought in pizza, and made arrangements for kids activities so everyone could attend. We have a membership of over 300 familes and had about 25 people show up. Mostly teachers. Last week we had what we thought to be our end of the year wrap up meeting. We were completely ambushed by one parent who is always a thorn in our sides. Our current By-Laws state that officers will remain in office for a two year term. This parent would like to amend the By-Laws. At the last meeting we tabled it for further discussion and she is now pushing for another meeting before the end of the school year with a vote to amend the By-Laws and hold elections before year end. Our last day of school is May 20th. Can anyone give us any guidance on this situation? Also, does anyone know if Florida PTO's are governed by the Sunshine Laws? I went on the website, but could not find anything pertaining to PTO/PTA Thanks in advance! :confused:
