The organization is formed and shall exist as an incorporated organization of its members and the Articles of Incorporation shall hereby comprise the By-Laws.

The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, education or scientific purposes with in the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, 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.

No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provisions 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, or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (C)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code.

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

Section 1: To promote and guard the welfare of children and youth in the school and community.

Section 2: To enrich the education of the students through cooperation of parents and staff members in providing support services to teachers and supplemental learning opportunities to the children.

The primary policies of the organization are as follows:

Section 1: The scope of the organization is educational in nature and shall be developed through conferences, committees, and projects.

Section 2: The organization is non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan.

Section 3: The organization shall recognize, support, and comply with any and all applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District.

Section 4: The organization’s policies shall not attempt to direct the administrative work of the school, and shall in no way exercise final authority over any of its in-school activities and operations.

Section 5: The members of the organization shall maintain a professional and respectful demeanor at all times.

Membership in this organization is open to any parent or guardian who has a child or children enrolled in Lee Elementary School, teachers, support staff and other interested individuals who will uphold the policies of this organization and agree to these By-laws.

Any person eligible to become a member of Lee Parent - Teacher Organization may do so by payment of annual dues recommended each year by the Executive Board.

Section 1: The officers of the organization shall be President, two (2) Vice Presidents – Membership and Fundraising, Director of Partners in Education (PIE), (3) VIPS Coordinators (Grade Level, Special Events, and General Assistance), Treasurer, Secretary, and a Faculty Liaison. Each officer is allotted one vote.

Section 2: All officers shall be elected from the general membership during the spring semester of each academic school year.

Section 3: Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the last regular meeting of the school year and shall serve for a term of one (1) year and/or until such successors are elected. Each Director of PIE and all VIPS Coordinators may serve two-year staggered terms.

Section 4: A person may be eligible for re-election to the same office, but may not exceed two (2) elected consecutive terms in the same office unless no other individual seeks to serve in said position.

Section 5: A person may not serve on the executive Committee for more than three (3) consecutive years unless no other individual seeks to serve in said position. Service for a period equal to or exceeding five (5) consecutive months in a position shall constitute the equivalent of one (1) year.

Section 6: The nominating Committee shall be composed of (3) members, one (1) of whom shall be selected by the Executive Committee from its succeeding body, and two (2) of whom shall be selected from the general PTO membership. The President shall appoint one (1) of the three to serve as Chairman of the Committee.

Section 7: The Nominating Committee shall select (1) Nominee for each office to be
filled, and report at the Executive Committee meeting prior to the election of officers. The names of all persons expressing interest in serving on the Executive Committee, however, shall be presented to the Executive Committee. Only those persons who have consented to serve and have completed the Nomination Process shall be eligible for a ballot vote.

Section 8: A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee, due notice of such election having been given. In case a vacancy occurs in the office of the President, the First Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President, until it is filled.

Section 9: Any officer elected or appointed by the Executive Board may be removed by the Executive Board whenever in its judgment the best interests of the organization would be served thereby, including but not limited to failure to attend three (3) meeting s of the Executive Board, not fulfilling the duties of office or is seriously violating school or PTO policy. See Policy Statement 1 and Policy Statement 2.

Section 1: The President shall be the principal executive officer of the organization and shall in general supervise and control all the business and affairs of the organization. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Organization and the Executive Committee and perform other such duties as may be prescribed in these By-laws or assigned to him/her by the Organization or by the Executive Committee, and shall coordinate the work of the Officers and Committees in order that the objectives may be promoted. The President serves a two-year term.

Section 2: The Vice Presidents shall act as aides to the President, and shall, in the absence of the President or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, the Vice Presidents in order of their position listing shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Any Vice President shall perform such duties as from time to time that may be assigned to him/her by the President or Executive Board. (Both are two year terms).

Section 3: The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the organization; keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures; pay out funds in accordance with the approved budget as authorized by the organization; and shall file the yearly State Sales and Federal Income Tax returns. The Treasurer shall also present a financial statement to the Executive Committee on a monthly basis. A detailed financial statement shall be given to the general membership following the close of the financial calendar. An auditing committee of not less than three (3) members (who may be members of the Board) shall review the yearly financial report and may select an outside CPA/Auditor for annual audit of financial records of not more than every three (3) years and the auditing committee shall sign a statement of fact at the end of the report. (2 year term)

Non-PTO members shall not spend PTO funds except by request and approval of the Executive Committee and subject to all guidelines and procedures required of PTO members.

To facilitate accurate records keeping and verify compliance with the budget, a voucher system shall be utilized. Under such system, the treasurer shall not make payments or reimbursement of an expense unless an invoice or receipt is accompanied by a check request voucher indicating which committee or budget item should be charged and bearing the signature of the person in charge of said committee or budget items.

All checks issued shall bear two (2) signatures. The signatures shall be a combination of the Treasurer, President, or other designated Executive Committee officers elected by the Executive Committee.

Section 4: The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Committee; handle all correspondence of the organization; and perform other duties as may be delegated. (2 year term)

Section 5: The Director of Partners in Education (PIE) shall work with a staff counterpart in securing and coordinating contributions to the school in the form of money, equipment, services of employee volunteers from area business’ under guidelines of the district PIE program. Said representatives shall the PTO’s contact persons for community businesses, and assume the responsibility of establishing relationships with potential donors and contributors.

Section 6: The VIPS Coordinator of Grade Level Volunteers shall coordinate and oversee events as well as volunteers for class parties, field days, field trips and any other activity/event that may fall into their scope of duties.

Section 7: The VIPS Coordinator of Special Events shall coordinate and oversee volunteers for events such as hearing/vision screening, skate night and any other activity/event that may fall into their scope of duties.

Section 8: The VIPS Coordinator of General Assistance shall coordinate and oversee volunteers for activities such as library helpers, weekly packet assembly (newsletter) and any other activity that may fall into their scope of duties.

Section 9: The Faculty Liaison will coordinate programs, arrange flag ceremonies, and serve as a communication link between Faculty and Executive Board. The Faculty Liaison may be a staff member of the school.

Section 1: The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the organization and the Principal of the school. The members shall serve until their successors are duly elected. Each officer along with the School Principal will be accorded one (1) vote.

Section 2: The duties of the Executive Committee are:

Section 3: Fundraising Guidelines:

a. Written contracts must be approved by the Executive Board for all business transactions, with the original to be filed in PTO cabinet with copies to the President and Treasurer.

b. There shall be no agreements, awards, etc. made outside of the contract.

c. No person may benefit personally (items above a $25.00 value) from any

Fundraising project.

The general Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Committee, the Chairpersons of the Committees and the Executive Committee appointees.

Section 1: Such standing committees shall be created by the Executive committee as deemed necessary to promote the objectives and carry on the work of the organization. Chairpersons of the standing committees shall be selected by the President and the Executive Committee. Their terms shall be one (1) year.

Section 2: The Chairperson of each Committee shall present a plan of work to the Executive Committee for approval. No work shall be undertaken without the consent of the Executive Committee. A committee shall not spend more than its budgeted amount of monetary funds unless the Executive Committee votes to approve an increase.

Section 3: The power to form special committees and appoint their members rests with the organization. Since a special committee is created and appointed for a specific purpose, it automatically goes out of existence when its work is done and its final report is received.

Section 4: The President shall be a member ex-officio of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

Section 1: The first meeting of the year shall be called at the discretion of the President
and the Principal upon written notice to parents and teachers of the school.
The Organization shall be informed at that time about future meetings.
Written notice of all meetings shall be issued by the school to the children
to be carried home to their parents.

Section 2: Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee by giving written notice to the Organization.

Section 3: The annual meeting shall be the last meeting of the year.

Section 4: For the purpose of transacting business in any general meeting, a quorum shall consist of 20 members in good standing (i.e.; whose current membership dues have been paid).

Section 5: The privilege of holding office, introducing motions, debating and voting shall be limited to members of the Organization whose current dues are paid.

Section 6: Executive Committee members shall attend all Executive Committee meetings. After three (3) consecutive unexcused absences (i.e., without extenuating circumstances), the offending Executive Committee member shall present a written resignation to the Executive Committee. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of at least four (4) voting members.

Constitution and Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed, and a new constitution and bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors.

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this Organization in all cases in which they are applicable.