Most by-laws I have seen allow all members to vote. Some PTO's do have a membership fee which must be paid before someone can vote. Before excluding members from voting, I would look at the procedures followed during a meeting. How does an item get on the agenda for a vote? What rules are in place regarding discussion of a proposal before a vote? (I'm curious about the types of things being voted in. What is being passed that you object to?)
That being said, your proposed changes are not bad. How would this work at the first meeting of the new school year, nothing could be voted on during that meeting? Requiring all voting members to sign a membership form before voting is not a bad idea, but once the form is signed then that person should have voting rights regardless of the number of meetings they attend. Have members sign at the beginning of the year. For those who attend a meeting for the first time mid-year, asking them to wait until the next meeting for voting rights is not unreasonable.
Check your by-laws. Look at the membership section. Since you are dealing with voting rights, your by-laws probably need to be changed. Make sure you follow any procedures necessary for making those changes.
I am the new president of a PTO that has had trouble in the past with voting. When someone wanted something voted in they would bring a few of their friends to vote on it and it would pass. Then we would never see these people again. I am trying to institute membership with voting rights something like this:
1) anyone can join, come to a meeting, sign a membership form, the next meeting you have the right to vote.
2) if you miss three meetings in a row you lose your right to vote (we meet once a month-10 times a year)
3) if lose there right to vote they can come to a meeting and sign up again, but don't get voting rights until the next meeting.
I think this will make our members feel more a part of a real organization. I think it will make members feel like thier vote really does count. Their are no fees to join our PTO and even if you are not a member you can come to the meetings an join in on the discussion, you may also serve on a committe. The only restriction is the voting rights. Is their any other PTO's who have membership with voting rights? Is this fair to ask of our members? Any suggestions?
