Exactly what JHB said but I always use the sweetheart [img]smile.gif[/img]

More specificly, dont do something you dont have to do just because someone thinks it ought to be done! Know it has to be done.

90% of your effort should be put into finding the data and 10% into doing the work to turn the data into action.

I also can not stress the idea of document, document, document. This is so the brain trust is not lost when people move on and others find themselves reiventing the wheel.

The "KISS Principal" is a common term, not one that's proprietary to this board. You'll probably recognize it as soon as you read the next line.

Spelled out, it means "Keep it simple, stupid." But it's truly not intended in a derogatory fashion (at least not around here).

Sometimes there are variations on the last "s", including "keep it simple, sweetheart" and a more vulgar one I won't type. But I believe the first one is the most universal.

It just means that it's a good idea to keep things simple and straightforward.

[ 01-27-2004, 10:38 AM: Message edited by: JHB ]

I know our treasurer is working on the 501 dealing with the IRS and we are in the process of getting a new ein number. I will have to ask about the state requirements. We wee told at the last meeting there was no language needed in the bylaws. We will look again. What is the KISS principle? Sorry new here.

ok, bylaws! Tha sounds like something I oughy yo comment on :cool:

The principal is right here in a way. It is obvious that what they want done is to get the ball rolling. The principal is providing a process for getting your by laws written. But I think you all including the principal are missing a step here.

1) Determine what form of legal entity this PTO will be. Incorporate or not, will you be seeking 501(c)(3), will you need to? What advantages and disadvatages are there in YOUR state to being non profit (if you need to) and finaly what are your state requirements for being a non profit! Your state laws will apply whenthe IRS considers your application for non profit status and there is specific language you have to have in your Articles of Organization that are conditional upon your state laws.

2) Once this information is gathered have a meeting to determine the best course of action. The rules of your state will determine how specific the by laws have to be on operational issues. Discuss them! Apply the KISS principle!

Now you are ready to have someone sit down and write out a set of by laws or articles of organization. (I prefer the articles concept) When I say someone I mean just that do not try this by committee which is what I think your principal was leading to. This does not mean that everything they write will be kept and other things will not be included or changed, what it does mean is that you have to have a starting point and if all you do is copy what another organization has done then you will end up witht he same problems that that organization may or may not have. Of course who ever sits down to do this should have several other organizations documents to refer to, it does make it easier. But like you did term papers in school this does not mean yours will be a mirror image of anothers work. The person doing this should have a clear vision of where you all want to go with this. Ol I think you get my point on this

Once you have a draft, your board should discuss and debate each item in it or not in it! The person who wrote it needs to understand that this process is not a personal attack on them or their words, they should not try to defend everything they wrote, the concept here is to create a document that is functional to YOUR organization and that will take compromise and discussion.

Once that process is completed and it may take a couple of drafts and meetings to do it. Have the baord vote it up or down! I bet it passes [img]smile.gif[/img]

Then present it to the membership for their vote up or down, make sure people have access to copies and enough time to read it. This is a pure up or down vote, normally requiring 2/3rd of those present voting yes (this is NOT a legal requirement, just what is typical - aka read Roberts Rules).

This can be a fun process! Just think you all are becoming founders to an organization that may well be around when your kids kids go to that school!

I just love to hear from people that know rstand the importance of bylaws and That is one of the problems we're having. At our last meeting, I ask if we had Robert's Rules the president said yes but, she couldn't understand them. Does Robert's Rules address these problems? Some on our board believe no one looks at these bylaws. After looking at other bylaws on the web the treasurer, told me she was embarresed to send ours in to the IRS. Some are saying wait til summer to rewrite but with no money controls,amending language or election wording I'm just not comfortable. Any advice would be greatly appreciated . I'm afraid everyone is looking at me like I'm nuts because I won't to make sure we protect our membership and follow the rules.

waiting,
A small group should do the writing because it'll get done easier. Remember that a statement needs to be included that states that issues not addressed in the bylaws will be handled in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order Revised. That will protect you from the "it's not in the bylaws" statement.