Cindy,

We just redid our bylaws. Here's what we spelled out in our election process. Please note that we elect our Executive Officers in April and then the rest of the elected board reps. are elected in May. We were concerned about making sure to get the "Exec. loosers" an opportunity to still be a part of the Board.

As part of our Election Process we spelled out the Term as well as how the elections are to take place.

Elections

A. Term in Office:

1. A term shall be one fiscal year.
2. Term limits for each elected Executive Officers shall not exceed more than three consecutive years in any one position. Any individual, who serves three consecutive terms in an office, is required at least one year intervening before eligibility for re-election after serving the maximum number of consecutive terms.

B. Election Process:

1. The number of Board Members will be based on a ratio of 3 members per 100 students enrolled at Lake Center.
2. Executive Officer nominations will take place during and following the March PTO meeting.
a. Nominations may be submitted to any existing Executive Board Member and forwarded to the Vice President.
b. Nominations will remain open for two weeks.
c. Nominees will be notified by either the current President or Vice President within two days of nominations closing.
d Nominations must be accepted or declined with in five days.
e. Any unanswered nominations will be considered declined after the 5th day.
f. All nominations will be posted by the Vice President prior to the elections.
g. Individuals may be nominated and run for more than one position but can only accept one elected position.
3. Board Member nominations will take place during and following the April PTO meeting.
a. Nominations may be submitted to any existing Executive Board Member and forwarded to the Vice President.
b. Nominations will remain open for two weeks.
c. Nominees will be notified by either the current President or Vice President within two days of nominations closing.
d Nominations must be accepted or declined with in five days.
e. Any unanswered nominations will be considered declined after the 5th day.
f. All nominations will be posted by the Vice President prior to the elections.
g. Individuals may be nominated and run for more than one position but can only accept one elected position.
4. Each election process will take place by submitting a written ballot at the appropriate meeting. Sample Nomination Sheet is attached.
5. All PTO members in attendance of each election meeting will have the opportunity to cast one ballot.
6. One current executive member and one current board member will count the ballots.
1. The executive board will announce the results.

Mine is similar to boosterprez - except we don't distribute the ballots. Voting is at the June meeting and members must be present to cast a vote.

Section 6 - Candidate Slate
Prior to the April meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominations Committee of three to five non-officer members whose duty shall be to present a slate of candidates for the succeeding year. The goal of the Nominations Committee should be to actively seek a diverse representation of the membership to the organization.

Section 7 - Candidate Consent
The Nominations Committee must obtain the consent of each proposed candidate.

Section 8 - Slate Presentation
The slate of candidates shall be published in the school newsletter no less than 14 days but preferably 30 days prior to election.

Section 9 – Election
Membership shall vote on the slate of candidates at a meeting held during the calendar school year and prior to June 1st. The election meeting will be published at the same time as the slate of candidates. Written ballot voting is required. A majority vote of those members present determines those elected. No vote may be cast by proxy. A tie shall be broken by the drawing of lots.

Here is pretty much all that our bylaws say about elections:

A. Nominating Committee: consisting of at least two (2) not to exceed five (5) members with representation from both schools shall be appointed by the P.A.T. Executive Board from the general membership. This committee shall elect it’s own Chairperson. The Nominating Committee shall:
i. 60 days prior to the date of the election, secure at least one nominee for each office to be filled. The consent of each nominee shall be secured before his or her name is presented.
ii. The announcement of the election of officers and nominees identified shall be publicized at the general membership meeting held prior to the meeting in which the elections are held.
iii. Be responsible for the distribution and tabulation of the ballots, as well as reporting of election results.

we just vote at the meeting/election. so whoever doenst show up, doenst get to vote.

its in our bylaws (we do konw wehr they are!) our MO is.

For the election of officers do you just vote at your meeting or do you send out a ballott to all members???
Also do the parents have to notify that they are running for a position in a certain time frame before elections?
We are redoing our bylaws and was reading different messages on this.
Any other advice on how you do elections for PTO officers would be helpful. Or how its in your bylaws thanks.

Cindy