Article I: Name

The organization shall be known as the Boxford Parent-Teacher Organization, Inc., hereinafter referred to as the PTO.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE

The objective of the PTO is to provide a vehicle whereby parents and teachers can work cooperatively to bring about a closer relationship between home and school, thus enhancing the educational process of the children enrolled in the Boxford Elementary Schools. The mailing address shall be Spofford Pond School, Boxford, Massachusetts 01921.

ARTICLE III: POLICIES

SECTION 1 – The PTO shall be non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan. No candidate for any public office shall be endorsed by the PTO, nor shall it seek to direct administrative activities of the school. The PTO shall be an information-seeking and information-communicating group.

SECTION 2 – The Boxford PTO may cooperate with other organizations and agencies active in child interest, including but not limited to, conference groups or coordinating councils with the approval of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 – Any person who (1) is the parent or legal guardian of any pupil enrolled in the Boxford Elementary schools or (2) is a member of the administrative or teaching staff thereof, or (3) parent or legal guardian of any pupil enrolled in the Cole School Preschool is eligible for membership.

SECTION 2 – Each member shall be entitled to one vote in the affairs of the PTO.

SECTION 3 – Membership in the PTO may terminate by voluntary withdrawal as herein provided or otherwise as provided in these Bylaws. All rights, privileges, and interest of a member in or to the PTO shall cease on termination of membership. Membership shall be non-transferable.

SECTION 4 – An annual membership drive shall be conducted at the beginning of the school year. Additional members shall be accepted at any time during the school year.

SECTION 5 – If, in a written and signed communication addressed to the membership committee, any member of the PTO shall be charged with conduct detrimental to the objects or interests of the PTO or in violation of its constitution, bylaws, code of ethics, or rules and regulations, the membership committee shall consider the matter and if it shall decide to take further action, the committee shall send a copy of the charges to the Executive Board and to the accused member, who shall be given adequate time to reply, whereupon the Executive Board shall take such further action as it may deem proper. If a majority of the Executive Board, after a fair and impartial hearing on due notice to the accused member, such notice to be given by the secretary by registered or certified mail to the accused member at his last known address at least ten (10) days before the hearing, shall be satisfied of the truth of the charges, the Executive Board may request the offending member to resign or may suspend or expel him. Should he decline to resign on such request, his name shall be stricken from the rolls by the membership committee.

ARTICLE V: DUES

SECTION 1 – The annual dues required for membership in the PTO for the current year shall be determined by the vote of the members, on recommendation of the membership committee at the last meeting in May of the previous school year. Dues may be varied from year to year, and may vary between teachers and parents.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

SECTION 1 – There shall be an annual meeting of the PTO during the month of October each year, unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Board. The purpose of the May meeting shall be for election of officers and receiving committee reports. Meetings shall be open to all members. Notice of such meetings and agendas shall be issued and announced by the secretary and shall be announced by school notification. The usual parliamentary rules as promulgated in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern, when not in conflict with these bylaws.

SECTION 2 – Special meetings of the PTO may be called at any time by the president or co-presidents, or in his/her absence, by the vice-presidents or secretary, on written request of a majority of the Executive Board, or on the written request of not less than ten (10) members of the PTO. Five (5) days notice of any special meeting shall be required and must state the object of the meeting.

SECTION 3 – The PTO shall meet quarterly during the school year. Time, date and place of all meetings shall be determined annually by the Executive Board. Notice of all meetings shall be provided at least seven (7) days in advance.

SECTION 4 – The Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of setting the annual budget, approving unbudgeted expenditures, and for approving all PTO Discretionary Account expenditures.

SECTION 5 – Three (3) PTO members shall constitute a quorum to transact any business except for those noted in Section 4.

SECTION 6 – The privilege of holding office, making motions, debating, and any voting shall be limited only to members.

ARTICLE VII: ELECTED OFFICERS

SECTION 1 – The elected officers of the PTO shall be a President or Co-Presidents, Fundraising Committee Chairperson or Co-Chairs, Cultural and Curriculum Enrichment Committee Chairperson, Public Relations Committee Chairperson, Community Outreach Committee Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.

SECTION 2 - The President or Co-Presidents, Fundraising Committee Chairperson or Co-Chairs, Cultural and Curriculum Enrichment Committee Chairperson, Public Relations Committee Chairperson, Community Outreach Committee Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer shall take office at the close of the current school year and shall serve for a term of one (1) year until successors are duly elected. Officers are eligible for re-election. Vacancies in any office may be filled for the balance of the term thereof by the Executive Board.

SECTION 3 – The President or Co-presidents shall be the chief officer of the organization, and shall be present at the meetings of the PTO and Executive Board. He/She shall be a member ex-officio of all committees. He/She shall communicate to the PTO such matters and make such suggestions as may in his opinion tend to promote the welfare and increase the usefulness of the PTO, and shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office.

SECTION 4 – The Fundraising Committee Chairperson or Co-Chairs shall perform all of the duties of the President during the absence of the President. He/She shall be responsible for the management and supervision of the committee chairperson of each PTO sanctioned fund raising activity.

SECTION 5 – The Cultural and Curriculum Enrichment Committee Chairperson shall perform all duties of the President during the absence of the President and Fundraising Committee Chairperson or Co-Chairs. He/She shall be responsible for the management and supervision of the committee head of each PTO sanctioned on going program under the Cultural and Curriculum Enrichment Committee.

SECTION 6 – Public Relations Committee Chairperson shall be responsible for the management and supervision of the committee head of each PTO sanctioned on going program under the Hospitality and Appreciation Committee.

SECTION 7 – The Community Outreach Committee Chairperson shall be responsible for the management and supervision of the committee head of each PTO sanctioned on going program under the Community Outreach Committee.

SECTION 8 – The Treasurer shall keep an account of all moneys received and expended for use of the PTO and shall make disbursements authorized by the Executive Board or such other persons as the members may prescribe. All sums received shall be deposited by him/her in the bank or banks approved by the Executive Board, and he/she shall make a report at the annual meeting or when called upon by the President. Funds may be drawn only on the signature of the Treasurer and President. The funds, books, and vouchers in his hands shall, with the exception of confidential reports submitted by members, at all times are subject to verification and inspection of the elective officers of the PTO. At the expiration of his/her term of office, the Treasurer shall deliver to his successor all books, money, and other property of the PTO and he shall remain as a Director of the PTO and act in an advisory capacity to the new Treasurer for a term of one (1) year.

SECTION 9 – The responsibilities of the secretary shall include, but are not limited to:

1. to give notice of and attend all meetings of the PTO and to make provisions for the keeping of a record of proceedings;

2. to conduct correspondence and to carry into execution all orders, votes and resolutions not otherwise committed;

3. To keep records as to any agents retained by the PTO.

SECTION 10 – Officers shall be elected by membership ballot annually in May. However, if there is but one nominee for any office, it shall be in order to move that the Secretary cast the elective ballot of the organization for the nominee.

ARTICLE VIII: EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1 – The Executive Board also serving as the Corporate Directors shall consist of the elected officers of the PTO, the immediate past President, and the immediate past Treasurer. Executive Board members shall serve for a term of one (1) year until their successors assume office. The Executive Board shall have supervision, control and direction of the affairs of the association and shall execute the PTO's objectives. It may adopt such rules for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the execution of powers granted, appoint subcommittees or agents to work on specific problems or reports.

SECTION 2 – The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the President/Co-President. Notice of all Executive Board meetings shall be provided at least 24 hours in advance.

SECTION 3 – The principals shall serve in an advisory capacity to the PTO. Reports from principals with regard to school activities are requested at each PTO meeting.

ARTICLE IX: STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

The PTO shall have the discretion to establish such committees as deemed necessary. The Chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by the President, and in turn, committee members shall be recruited annually through the membership by the committee chairperson.

The chairperson of each committee shall present a plan of work to the Executive Board for consideration. No committee work shall be undertaken without approval of the Executive Board. All committee chairpersons are expected to attend the quarterly PTO meetings, and no committee head shall chair more than one fundraiser per year. Terms of committees expires at the end of the school year. Chair people and members may be reappointed.

The committee chair people shall submit a written report of committee activities to the Executive Board at the annual meeting of the membership. The vice-presidents shall seek the prior approval of the principal(s) with respect to the use of the school building and distribution of PTO notices through pupils attending the school.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended, repealed, or altered, in whole or in part, by a majority vote at any duly called meeting of the membership.

ARTICLE XI: LIABILITIES

Nothing herein shall constitute members of the PTO as partners for any purpose. No member, officer or agent shall be liable for the acts or failure to act of any other member, officer or agent of the PTO.

ARTICLE XII: FUNDS

SECTION 1 – The PTO is not intended as a profit-making organization, nor is it founded with the expectation of making a profit. The PTO shall use its funds only for objects and purposes specified in these bylaws.

SECTION 2 – Persons entrusted with the handling of PTO funds may be required, at the discretion of the Executive Board, to furnish, at PTO expense, a suitable fidelity bond.

ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION

The PTO may be dissolved by the vote of three-fourths of its members. In the event of dissolution, the property of the PTO shall be distributed to another organization in the town of Boxford performing a function similar to that of the PTO as may be determined by the Executive Board or if no such organization exists, to the Boxford Public Schools to be used to fund special programs for elementary school students.

First Draft: November 1, 1993

Second Draft: January 6, 1994

Third Draft: October 14, 1998

Fourth Draft: April 11, 2001

Fifth Draft: January 9, 2002

Sixth Draft: June 10, 2003

Seventh Draft: June 7, 2005