** ARTICLE II ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
ARTICLE V RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PTA AND THE MASSACHUSETTS PTA
ARTICLE VI MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
ARTICLE VII OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION
ARTICLE VIII DUTIES OF OFFICERS
ARTICLE XII COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
** ARTICLE XIV PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Revised July 1997
The name of this association is the Lexington High School PTSA, of Lexington, Massachusetts. It is a local unit organized under the authority of the Massachusetts Parent-Teacher Association, Inc. (the Massachusetts PTA), a branch of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (the National PTA).
** ARTICLE II: ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
The articles of organization of a constituent organization include (a) the bylaws of such organization and (b) the certificate of incorporation or articles of incorporation of such organization (in cases in which the organization is a corporation) or the articles of association by whatever name (in cases in which the organization exists as an unincorporated association).
Section 1. The Objects of the Lexington High School PTSA, in common with those of the National PTA and the Massachusetts PTA are:
a. To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
b. To raise the standards of home life.
c. To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
d. To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.
e. To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.
Section 2. The Objects of the National PTA, the Massachusetts PTA and the Lexington High School PTSA, are promoted through an educational program directed toward parents, teachers, and the general public; are developed through conferences, committees, projects, and programs; and are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in Article IV.
Section 3. The organization is organized exclusively for the charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding Section of any future Federal Tax Code (hereinafter "Internal Revenue Code").
The following are basic policies of the Lexington High School PTSA, in common with those of the National PTA and the Massachusetts PTA:
a. The organization shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.
b. The name of the organization or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used to endorse or promote a commercial concern or in connection with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the Objects of the organization.
c. The organization shall not - directly or indirectly - participate or intervene (in any way, including the publishing or distributing of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office; or devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise.
d. The organization shall work with the schools to provide quality education for all children and youth, and shall seek to participate in the decision-making process establishing school policy, recognizing that the legal responsibility to make decisions has been delegated by the people to boards of education, state education authorities, and, in Lexington, to the School Committee.
e. The organization shall not enter into membership with other organizations except such international or national organizations as may be approved by the National PTA Board of Directors. The Massachusetts PTA or any of its divisions may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with child welfare, but a PTA/PTSA representative shall make no commitments that bind the group he represents.
f. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, directors, trustees, officers or other private persons except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article III hereof.
g. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (i) by an organization exempt from Federal Income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.
h. Upon the dissolution of this organization, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more non profit funds, foundations, or organizations which have established their tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE V: RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PTA AND THE MASSACHUSETTS PTA
** Section 1. This PTA shall be organized and chartered under the authority of the Massachusetts PTA in the area in which this PTA functions, in conformity with such rules and regulations, not in conflict with the National PTA Bylaws, as the Massachusetts PTA may in its bylaws prescribe. The Massachusetts PTA shall issue to this PTA an appropriate charter evidencing the due organization and good standing of this PTA.
A local PTA in good standing is one which:
a. Adheres to the Objects and basic policies of the PTA;
b. Remits the national portion of the dues through the state PTA to reach the National Office by dates designated by the National PTA;
c. Has bylaws approved according to the procedures of each state; and,
d. Meets other criteria as may be prescribed by the individual state PTA.
** Section 2. This PTA shall adopt such bylaws for the government of the organization as may be approved by the Massachusetts PTA. Such bylaws shall not be in conflict with the Bylaws of the National PTA or the Bylaws of the Massachusetts PTA.
** Section 3. Bylaws of each constituent organization shall include an article on amendments.
** Section 4. Each officer or board member of a constituent organization shall be a member of a local PTA within its area.
** Section 5. Each officer or board member of a local PTA shall be a member of such local PTA.
** Section 6. This PTA shall keep such permanent books of account and records as shall be sufficient to establish the items of gross income, receipts and disbursements of the organization, including, specifically, the number of its members, the dues collected from its members, and the amount of dues remitted to the Massachusetts PTA. Such books of account and records shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by an authorized representative of the Massachusetts PTA or, where directed by the committee on state and national relationships, by a duly authorized representative of the National PTA.
** Section 7. The charter of this PTA shall be subject to withdrawal and the status of such organization as a PTA unit shall be subject to termination, in the manner and under the circumstances provided in the bylaws of the Massachusetts PTA.
** Section 8. This local PTA is obligated, upon withdrawal of its charter by the Massachusetts PTA:
a. To yield up and surrender all of its books and records and all of its assets and property to the Massachusetts PTA or to such agency as may be designated by the Massachusetts PTA, or to another local PTA organized under the authority of the Massachusetts PTA.
b. To cease and desist from the further use of any name that implies or connotes association with the National PTA or the Massachusetts PTA or status as a constituent organization of the National PTA; and
c. To carry out promptly, under the supervision and direction of the Massachusetts PTA, all proceedings necessary or desirable for the purpose of dissolving this PTA.
** Section 9. This PTA shall collect dues from its members and shall remit a portion of such dues to the Massachusetts PTA as provided in Article VI hereof.
** Section 10. Only members of a local PTA who have paid dues for the current membership year may participate in the business of that association.
** Section 11. Bylaws of each constituent organization shall include a provision establishing a quorum.
** Section 12. The members of the Nominating Committee for officers of a constituent organization shall be elected by the membership, Board of Directors/Managers, Executive Board or Executive Committee.
** Section 13. Each local PTA shall include in its bylaws provisions corresponding to the provisions of such of the Bylaws of the National PTA as identified herein by a double star.
** Section 14. The adoption of an amendment to any provision of the Bylaws of the National PTA identified by a double star shall serve automatically and without the requirement of further action by the local PTA to amend correspondingly the bylaws of each local PTA. Notwithstanding the automatic character of the amending process, the local PTAs shall promptly incorporate such amendments in their respective bylaws.
# Section 15. Each local PTA shall include in its bylaws provisions corresponding to the provisions of such of these bylaws as are identified by the state symbol (#).
ARTICLE VI: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
** Section 1. Every individual who is a member of this PTA is, by virtue of that fact, a member of the National PTA and of the Massachusetts PTA by which such local PTA is chartered, and is entitled to all the benefits of such membership.
** Section 2. Membership in this PTA shall be made available without regard to race, color, creed or national origin, under such rules and regulations, not in conflict with the provisions of the Bylaws of the National PTA, as may be prescribed in the bylaws of this PTA, to any individual who subscribes to the Objects and basic policies of the National PTA.
** Section 3. This PTA shall conduct an annual enrollment of members, but may admit persons to membership at any time.
** Section 4. Each member of this PTA shall pay such annual dues to said organization as may be prescribed by the organization. The amount of such dues shall include the portion payable to the Massachusetts PTA (the "state portion") and the portion payable to the National PTA (the "national portion").
** Section 5. The amount of the state portion of each member's dues shall be determined by the Massachusetts PTA. The national portion of each member's dues shall be one (1) dollar per annum.
# Section 6. The Massachusetts PTA portion of each member's dues shall be one dollar and fifty cents (1.50).
Section 7. Each member of this PTA shall pay annual dues of ten dollars (10.00) to the organization. The amount of such annual dues shall include the portion payable to the State PTA and the portion payable to the National PTA.
# Section 8. The State and National PTA portions of the dues paid by each member of this PTA shall be set aside by this PTA and remitted to the Massachusetts PTA through such channels and at such times as the state bylaws may provide. Each state PTA shall pay to the National PTA the amount of the national portion of dues paid by all members of local PTAs in its area.
Section 9. Only members of the organization shall be eligible to vote in the business meetings or to serve in any of its elective or appointive positions.
ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION
** Section 1. Each officer shall be a member of this PTA.
Section 2.
a. The officers of this organization shall consist of a president or co-presidents, two vice presidents (the second one being a teacher of the high school faculty), a secretary, and a treasurer.
b. Officers shall be elected by ballot in the month of June. However, if there is but one nominee for any office, election for that office may be by voice vote.
c. Officers shall assume their official duties following the close of the meeting in June and shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.
d. A person shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
# Section 3. Nominating Committee:
a. There shall be a Nominating Committee composed of three or five members, who shall be elected by this PTA at a regular meeting at least two months prior to the election of officers. The Committee shall consist of at least one person who has been at each middle school and shall elect its own chair.
b. The Nominating Committee shall nominate an eligible person for each office to be filled and report its nominees at the regular meeting one month prior to the June meeting, at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor. A thirty day notice should be given to the membership.
c. Only those persons who have signified their consent to serve if elected shall be nominated for, or elected to, such office.
Section 4. Vacancies:
A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the executive board, notice of such election having been given. In case a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the first vice-president shall serve notice of the election.
ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The president shall:
a. preside at all meetings of the association;
b. perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws or assigned by the association;
c. be a member ex-officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee;
d. coordinate the work of the officers and committees of the association in order that the Objects may be promoted.
Section 2. The vice-presidents shall:
a. act as aides to the president;
b. In their designated order, perform the duties of the president in the absence or inability of that officer to serve.
Section 3. The secretary shall:
a. record and retain the minutes of all meetings of the association and of the executive committee;
# b. have a current copy of the bylaws (bylaws approved by the state within the last three (3) years are considered current);
# c. maintain a membership list, with names and addresses of members;
d. perform other duties as assigned.
Section 4. The treasurer shall:
a. have custody of all the funds of the association;
b. keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures;
c. make disbursements as authorized by the president, executive board or association in accordance with the budget adopted by the association;
d. present a financial statement at every meeting of the association and at other times when requested by the executive board;
e. make a full report at the June meeting;
f. be responsible for the maintenance of such books of account and records as conform to the requirements of Article V, Section 6, of these bylaws;
# g. have the accounts examined annually by an auditor elected by the membership or an auditing committee of not fewer than three members who, satisfied that the treasurer's annual report is correct, shall sign a statement of that fact at the end of the report;
# h. have the accounts audited, when a person who has signature authority leaves the board. This is to be done by an audit committee selected by the executive board at least two weeks before the meeting at which the officers assume their duties.
Section 5. All officers shall perform the duties outlined in these bylaws and those assigned from time to time. Upon the expiration of the term of office or in case of resignation, each officer shall turn over to the president, without delay, all records, books, and other materials pertaining to the office, and shall return to the treasurer, without delay, all funds pertaining to the office.
Section 6. In an extreme emergency, the officers may act for the Board, but every opportunity to contact other board members for their input shall be made, to include them in the decision making. A full report of the officers’ decisions shall be made at the next regular board meeting.
Section 1.
a. The executive board shall consist of the officers of the association, the chair of standing committees, and the principal of the school or a representative appointed by the principal, one additional teacher, and at least one student. The chair of the standing committees shall be selected by the officers of the association.
b. The president may appoint a parliamentarian, subject to the approval of the officers of the association.
Section 2. All of the Executive Board members shall be members of the PTA.
** Section 3. A PTA member shall not serve as a voting member of a constituent organization's board on the local, council, district, region, state, or national level while serving as a paid employee of, or under contract to, that constituent organization.
Section 4. The duties of the executive board shall be:
a. to transact necessary business in the intervals between association meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the association;
b. to create standing and special committees;
c. to approve the plans of work of the standing committees;
d. to present a report at the regular meetings of the association;
e. to select an auditor or an auditing committee to audit the treasurer's accounts;
# f. to prepare and submit to the association for adoption a budget for the year;
g. to approve routine bills within the limits of the budget.
Section 5. Regular meetings of the executive board shall be held during the school year, the time to be fixed by the board at its first meeting of the year. A majority of the executive board members shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings of the executive board may be called by the president or by a majority of the members of the board, three days’ notice being given.
Section 1. At least five regular meetings of the PTSA shall be held during the school year, the time to be fixed by the Executive Board at the first meeting of the year.
Section 2. Special meetings of the association may be called by the president or by a majority of the executive board, five days’ notice having been given.
Section 3. The annual meeting shall be in June, and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and conducting any other business that may arise.
# Section 4. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for meetings of that board. Twelve (12) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business in any meeting of the membership.
Section 1. Only members of the association shall be eligible to serve in any elective or appointive positions.
Section 2. The executive board may create such standing committees as it may deem necessary to promote the Objects and carry on the work of the association. The term of each chair shall be one year or until the selection of a successor.
Section 3. The chair of each standing committee shall present a plan of work to the executive board for approval. No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the executive board.
Section 4. The power to form special committees and appoint or elect their members rests with the association and the executive board.
Section 5. The president shall be a member ex-officio of all committees except the nominating committee.
ARTICLE XII: COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
a. The association shall be represented in meetings of the Lexington Council of Parent-Teacher Associations by the president or co-president, and by four (4) delegates (two parents and two teachers). All representatives to a council must be members of a local unit.
b. The four delegates shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Executive Board, in sufficient time to comply with the Council Bylaws (usually by April or May).
c. Delegates to Lexington Council of PTAs shall serve for a term of no more than three years.
Section 2. This association shall pay annual dues to the Lexington Council of PTAs as provided in the council bylaws.
The fiscal year of this PTA shall begin July 1 and end on the following June 30.
** ARTICLE XIV: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the National PTA and its constituent organizations in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these bylaws, the bylaws of the Massachusetts PTA, and the bylaws of the National PTA, or the articles of incorporation.
ARTICLE XV: AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
a. These bylaws may be amended at the Annual Meeting of the association by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is voted upon; that a quorum has been established; and that the proposed amendment shall be subject to approval of the state PTA.
b. A committee may be appointed to submit a revised set of bylaws as a substitute for the existing bylaws only by a majority vote at a meeting of the association, or by a two-thirds vote of the executive board. The requirements for adoption of a revised set of bylaws shall be the same as in the case of an amendment.
c. Submission of amendments or revised bylaws for approval by the state PTA shall be in accordance with the bylaws or regulations of the state PTA.
** Section 2. The adoption of an amendment to any provision of the Bylaws of the National PTA identified by a double star shall serve automatically and without the requirement of further action by the local PTA to amend correspondingly the bylaws of each local PTA. Notwithstanding the automatic character of the amending process, the local PTAs shall promptly incorporate such amendments in their respective bylaws.
# Section 3. The adoption of an amendment to any provision of the Bylaws of the Massachusetts PTA identified by a number (#) symbol shall serve automatically and without the requirement of further action by the local PTA to amend correspondingly the bylaws of each local PTA
Revised July 1997
APPROVED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS PTA:
STATE BYLAWS CHAIR:
Bylaws Committee:
Barbara Bailey, Chair
Sheila McNary
Jennifer Olivieri