Oh, I completely agree. In rewriting the by laws this year I added a clause that disallows the signatures of two board members with a pre-existing relationship. We are really trying to encourage more couples to be involved so this issue may rear it's head again later on. Wouldn't it be great?!
My husband and I are both on the PTO Board at our elementary school, and we will both be on the board at the 5th grade next year. One year we held the position of Building and Grounds Chairperson together. He has kept that position for several years, while I have moved on to other Board positions. Next year I will be President and he will be Parlimentarian. Both positions are allowed to sign checks. We will have only one of our signatures on our checks along with the Treasurer. We will have another couple, besides us, on the Board next year. Regarding the Bylaws, you might add provisions for what to do if a couple holds offices that are allowed to sign checks. Otherwise, be thankfull for this couple and encourage others to follow!
I think it's great for BOTH parents to want to be so involved in the leadership of the PTA/PTO. My husband and I had an overlap term this year, me as 1st year president and he as 4th year Treasurer. Our bylaws require two signatures on all checks and he signs as does our 1st VP. I am not on the signature card at the bank either. I wish we had more Dads get involved in the schools. As most of you probably know, it's a challenge to find individuals to step forward for board postions. When you have good, capable people willing to give so generously of thier time, embrace it and make sure the bylaws clearly define the paramenters around potential conflicts of interests.
Any two positions on the board should be ok to be held by a husband and wife, with the very importantly notable exception of either President and Treasurer or Treasurer and Asst. Treasurer.
I mean, what is actually the difference between two best friends being the Vice President and the Volunteer Coordinator or a husband and wife?
Presently I am the President and my wife is very involved, though she is not an officer. But elections are coming up, and if she ended up wanting to take on say Secretary or something other than Treasurer I would not see a conflict.
I dont see a problem as long as it is so far apart in duties, it isnt like they are both handling money or something like that. This year we are seeing more couples volunteer together and it is a really nice site to see so I would encourage that.
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
Our bylaws only prohibit spouses from being pres and a treasurere at the same time. Any other officer positions are fine. My dh was thinking of running at some point when our kids are older but he would be a chairperson or something like that. Right now he is going back to school so we will have to wait a little bit.
I think its a great idea that they both want to be involved!!!
Cindy<br />
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<br>"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."
