PARENT-TEACHER GROUP CONSTITUTION

 

ARTICLE I:               Name

 

The name of this organization shall be the Parent teacher Group of Saint Michael Academy.

 

ARTICLE II               Purpose

 

The purpose of this organization shall be:

 

1.                  to promote a broader appreciation of the ideas of Catholic education.

2.                  to enlist the spiritual, educational and social resources of home and school to provide the best catholic education possible.

3.                  to provide a forum of exchange for parents and teachers, and an informal advisory function to the school administration.

4.                  to provide a solid organization to improve the school’s fund raising efforts.

5.                  to foster the integration of families into the life of the parish community.

 

ARTICLE III              Authority

 

Section 1:  As distinguished from a school board/education committee, this organization does not have an official role in the formation of policy.

 

Section 2:     Since the pastor has ultimate responsibility for the school, the decisions of the organization are subject to his approval.

 

ARTICLE IV             Membership and Dues

 

Section 1:     All teachers, parents and guardians of children presently attending Saint Michael Academy are eligible for active membership.

 

Section 2:     Persons who wish to promote the work of the Parent Teacher Group but do not have children presently in the school may be extended an associate membership.

 

Section 3:     Meetings shall be open to all members of the parish.

 

Section 4:     Modest annual dues shall be set by the Executive Board.  Teachers are exempt from payment of dues.

 

ARTICLE V               Officers

 

Section 1:     The principal of Saint Michael Academy shall be ex-officio Moderator of the organization.

 

                  The principal’s approval is required for all expenditures of the organization’s funds and for all speakers who are invited t address the organization.  The Principal may request a report from any officer of the organization at any time.

 

Section 2:     The elected officers of the organization shall include:  President, Vice-President, Secretary and treasurer.  The term of office shall be for two years and persons shall be eligible to hold the same office for a second term but no more than two terms.

 

                   The elected officers of the organization shall include:  President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  The term of office shall be for one year with the exception of the President-Elect, and persons shall be eligible to run for and hold the same office for a second term but no more than two terms before taking a one year break.

 

Section 3:     The president shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Board.  He/She shall be an ex-officio member at all committees.

 

                   The president shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Board.  He/She shall be an ex-officio member at all committees and create the business agenda.

 

Section 4:     The President Elect shall assist the president and learn the duties and responsibilities of the office of President.

 

Section 5:     The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his.her absence, and shall assume the duties of the office until the next election if the office of the President becomes vacant.

 

                   The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, and shall assume the duties of the office until the next election if the office of the President becomes vacant.  He/She shall oversee the work of the committees.

 

Section 6:     The Secretary shall keep accurate record of all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Board.  He/She shall provide members with notice of regular meetings, publish the business agenda, maintain a membership list, handle the correspondence of the organization, and perform such other duties as the President or Executive Board shall designate.

 

Section 7:     The Treasurer shall receive all dues and other monies, and shall make disbursements only as directed by the Executive Board.  He/She shall make a financial report at each general meeting in addition to a written annual report.

 

ARTICLE VI              Executive Board

 

Section  1:    The administrative body of this organization shall be known as the Executive Board.  The Board shall consist of the Pastor (or his delegate), Principal, President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

Section 2:     All matters of the organization’s policy and administration shall be vested in this Board.

 

Section 3:     A quorum of the Executive Board shall be a majority of the members thereof.

 

Section 4:     Meetings of the executive Board shall be held at the call of the President or any three members of the Executive Board.

 

Section 5:     The Executive Board shall have the right to fill any vacancies among the offices of the organization, subject to subsequent approval by the membership.

 

ARTICLE VII             Committees

 

Section 1:     The executive Board shall have the right to create or abolish permanent committees and to appoint the temporary chairpersons of said committees with the approval of the membership.

 

Section 2:     The President shall have the right to create special ad hoc committees and to appoint their chairpersons.

 

ARTICLE VIII  Elections

 

Section 1:     Nominations for officers shall be made by a Nominating Committee of three members selected by the Executive Board at least two months prior to the election .

 

Section 2:     only active members in good standing shall be eligible for any elective office.

 

Section 3:     After submitting its report to the Principal and the Pastor for approval, the Nominating Committee shall report to the membership the names of the candidates for each office to be filled.  Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the meeting prior to the election.  However, these are also subject to the approval of the Principal and the Pastor prior to the meeting.

 

Section 4:     the election shall take place during the second semester.  Only members in good standing may vote at any election.  Voting shall be by secret ballot and plurality of votes shall suffice for election.

                  

Section 5:     The officers may be installed immediately after their election and their terms shall begin upon adjournment of the last meeting of the school year.

 

ARTICLE IX              Meetings

 

Section 1:     Regular meetings of the organization shall take place three times a year.

 

Section 2:     Special meetings may be called by the President or the Executive Board.

 

Section 3:     At any regular or special meeting those present shall constitute a quorum.

 

ARTICLE  X              Agenda

 

1.                  Call to order

2.                  Prayer and salute the flag

3.                  Reading of minutes and roll call of officers

4.                  Reading of communications

5.                  Report of Treasurer

6.                  Report of officers

7.                  Reports of standing committees

8.                  Reports of special committees

9.                  Unfinished business

10.              New business

11.              Adjournment

12.              program (this may be moved up)

 

ARTICLE XI              Management and Use of funds

 

Section 1:    The funds of the organization shall be employed only for the school and for the operational expenses of the organization.  Solicitation of money from members for purposes not pertaining to the approved Group is prohibited. 

 

Section 2:    No expenditure may be made without the consent of the pastor or the Principal if so authorized by the Pastor.

 

Section 3:   All funds except a small amount, not in excess of $500.00 for the organization’s administrative expenses, shall ordinarily be turned over to the School at the end of each academic year for use as authorized by the Executive Board.

 

Section 4:    An annual budget, following the procedures and format established by the Diocesan Schools Office, shall be prepared by the executive Board, approved by the Pastor and then presented at the first general meeting of the year for approval by a majority of the membership present.

 

Section 5:     There shall be an annual financial report to the membership concerning the expenditures of all organization funds at the final general meeting of the year.

 

ARTICLE XII             Parliamentary Procedures

 

The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases not otherwise covered by this Constitution.

 

ARTICLE XIII          Amendments

 

Section 1:     Amendments to this Constitution shall be proposed at one membership meeting and voted on at the next.  A two-thirds vote of the membership attending is necessary to amend.

 

Section 2:     Amendments become effective upon receiving the written approval of the Superintendent of Schools.