Bylaws are probably way too long to post within a message on this Board. But however you get your samples, I'd stick to ones from groups that have already received their 501(c)(3) status.
Then you know they've been accepted by the IRS. You'll still have to customize/edit, but at least you know you are starting with an acceptable version.
Best bet is to do a google search for "PTO +bylaws" and then "PTO +by-laws" and then "PTO +charter". That should gove you more than enough samples to take a look at. Borrow and adapt the ideas that fit in best with your group. And take you time (as I said before) doing it well is worth the time it takes. We generated our Charter when we decided to apply for 501c3 a few years ago and this is the first thing I did.
Yes, all PTOs need By-Laws. I get your point, the new and old PTO leaders need a place that we can retrieve a good set of PTO By-Laws without having to re-invent the wheel. Especially, without having to pay $42 for a start-up fee.
Can any other PTO post them out on this message board for all to see. Thanks.
kaysayheyptoorganizer
Visitor
18 years 5 months ago#61553by kaysayheyptoorganizer
Yes, I agree By-laws a needed. There should be a place that an organization such as PTOs can obtain a skeleton By-Laws without paying the start up fee of $42.
Any PTO out there please respond on message with sample for all to see. I am currently attempting to update and review several school PTO's By-Laws.
The membership shall consist of residents within the district's schools and of parents/guardians of students attending the district's schools as well as the faculty/staff of the district's schools.
And voting members who are elected or appointed members of the board:
All members of the Board, with the exception of the principal, may cast one vote. No vote may be cast by proxy. If the chairman of a committee is not present to cast a vote, one person representing that committee may cast one vote.
We don't charge dues.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
Although I did lol at JHB's comment, I stopped short because it is true. Once the by-laws are written they need to be carefully reviewed, the wording tweaked, the unexpected situations need to be anticipated. Remember, just because your group is working well, doesn't mean it will continue to do so in the future. It takes work to get by-laws done well.
And I would add to JHB that once they are approved, the Board needs to follow them! Again seems obvious but I can't count how many times I've seem posts that say "the board only follows the by-laws when it is convenient for them" (usually this is to exlude someone from participating. Unless the rules are rigorously followed (even when no one else is looking), you don't get the non-emotional benefits that CrewChief is talking about.
I am not sure if the response to PTOChair belongs here or on another thread, but here goes....
In our group all parents and paid employees of the school are members of the PTO by definition. They can attend meetings and vote on issues.
Our dues are optional and are used to fund our Teacher Allocations (meaning the money is directly spent in the classrooms). As an incentive, if a family pays $10 to become a Regular PTO member they get reduced admission to some PTO events and if they pay $30 for a Gold PTO Membership the family receives free admission to those events.
