Constitution and By-Laws

FOREST RIDGE/OPTIMUM LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
PARENT TEACHER CLUB (PTC)
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS


ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of the club is the Forest Ridge/Optimum Learning Environment Parent Teacher Club (PTC).


ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of the club is:
A. To encourage Forest Ridge Elementary School parents to participate in activities which enrich our children’s school life through:
1. Providing parental assistance and information about the programs of Forest Ridge Elementary School.
2. Sponsoring student activities and organizations in Forest Ridge Elementary School.
3. Raising funds to provide materials, equipment and activities not included in the school budget.
4. Building a network of support for young people by linking home, school, and community.
5. Creating a partnership that combines the resources of home and school to provide consistent guidance and support for Forest Ridge Elementary School students.
6. Providing support for school educational, recreational & social activities.

B. This organization is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1994 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law) or (b) by an organization contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1994 ( or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law).

Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1994 (or corresponding section of any future tax code), or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such
assets not so disposed of shall be disposed by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership includes Forest Ridge/OLE Elementary School parents, faculty or staff or any adult interested in the objectives of the club and willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to its constitution.

ARTICLE IV
MEETINGS
A. The PTC shall hold regular monthly meetings during the school calendar year.

B. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board.

C. A quorum at any meeting will consist of all members present. At least 50% of the members present shall be Forest Ridge/OLE parents.

D. Only members in attendance at a meeting may vote.
1. A vote is carried by a simple majority vote of the members present.
2. The principal is a full voting member of the PTC.
3. Each faculty representative in attendance at a meeting is a full voting member of the PTC.

E. Business shall be conducted in general accordance with the Roberts’ Rules of Order.

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE BOARD

A. The Executive Board consists of the following officers:

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Volunteer Coordinator

B. Nominations
1. Before the April meeting of the club, the Executive Board will appoint a nominating committee from the membership. This committee is to include the President or the Vice as chairperson, and three other members.
2. At the April meeting, the nominating committee will request nominations for board positions.
3. The prior consent of each candidate shall be obtained before nomination.
4. The slate of nominees will be presented and nominations from the floor will be accepted at the May meeting. Nominees from the floor must be in attendance in order to obtain their consent.
5. No more than one immediate family member shall be nominated for any of the positions.

C. Elections
1. The annual election of officers will be held at the June meeting.
2. Officers are elected by a simple majority of votes cast through a secret ballot.
3. The new Executive Board will assume duties at the conclusion of the June meeting. This meeting will be a transitional meeting for the incoming and outgoing board members, led by the outgoing members.
4. A meeting to include outgoing and incoming officers will be held following the election to pass the information and pertinent materials from the old Board to the new Board. This includes a notebook with duties, ideas, and general information regarding that office.

D. Vacancies
1. A vacancy occurring in an elected office shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

E. Removal
1. An officer may be removed from office by the nomination of two other officers and a 60% majority vote by the PTC. Should an officer be removed or is unable to fulfill their term of office, the president shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE VI
TERMS OF OFFICE

A. Each elected officer serves a one year term.
B. A person may not hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms with the exception of the treasurer, who may serve for up to three consecutive terms.

ARTICLE VII
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
A. Executive Board
Each position should provide and update a notebook with pertinent information to be passed on to each new Board Member.
1. President; Presides at all meetings of the club and the Executive Board and performs as an Ex-Officio member of all committees, appoints all committee chairpersons, convenes special meetings, keeps in close contact with the needs of the principal and staff, promotes the purposes and policies of the club by communicating with all officers and committees.
2. Vice-President: Acts as aide to the President, presides at meetings in the President’s absence and will chair the childcare evaluation committee.
3. Secretary: Keeps a correct record of and reports all general meetings of the club and Executive Board; handles all club correspondence; types minutes and submits them for approval at each general meeting.
4. Treasurer: Receives all money of the club, keeps an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, disburses club funds as authorized by the club, reports club fiscal condition regularly and makes a full annual report at the end of the school year. The treasurer is also responsible for overseeing and providing information for the annual budget.
5. Volunteer Coordinator: Acts as a liaison between staff and volunteers, collects volunteer forms, coordinates volunteers for activities and classroom assistance.

B. The Executive Board shall:
1. Transact the business of the club.
2. Inform the general membership of dates and times of meetings and club activities and other plans and decisions of the Board.
3. Approve the plans and work of all committees.
4. Support all projects as determined by the club throughout the year.

C. Duties of the Chairpersons
1. Terms of office for Chairpersons shall run for one year.
2. Each chairperson appointed by the President shall carry out a project approved by the Executive Board. Each fundraising project shall have a chairperson.
3. Each chairperson shall make a brief, written report to the Executive Board upon completion of the project, addressing successes or improvements needed if the project is to be repeated in subsequent years.

ARTICLE VIII
FISCAL REQUIREMENTS

A. In September of each year, the Executive Board shall submit a proposed budget for the school year to be approved by the club membership. This statement shall include proposed fundraising projects, expenses associated with those projects and activities, materials or equipment to be purchased or supported by those activities.

B. The fiscal year shall run from July 1 to June 30.

C. The Executive Board has the authority to authorize expenditures for the PTC less than $200, which have not already been included in the budget. Requests over $200 which have not already been included in the budget shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board at least one week prior to the regularly scheduled club meeting.

D. No committee of the club shall obligate the club without prior approval from the Executive Board.
E. Any expense reimbursement sought must be accompanied by the appropriate receipt and statement of the nature of the expense and for which project it was incurred.

F. Funds are to be held and disbursed through a commercially held bank account and must be distributed by check. Checks must be signed by two officers, including the treasurer, if over $250.

G. No blank checks will be issued.

H. All chairpersons, or their designee, involved in fundraising or money-making activities are required to count and record all funds taken in for their activity, prior to submitting to the funds to the Treasurer to be deposited in a club account.

I. Before the transfer of funds from one club account to another (i.e. Savings to Checking) can take place, the Treasurer must have the approval of at least one other Executive Board Member.

J. An annual audit will be conducted in June by one non board member, the treasurer and president serving during that fiscal year.



ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS

A. This Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the club, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, providing the proposed amendment has been circulated to membership at least two weeks in advance.