Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be Jennie Reid Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, La Porte, Texas.

Article II - Objectives

Section I.  The objectives of the organization, in common with the objectives in the La Porte Independent School District are:  

A.  To promote the welfare of children and youth in school.
B.  to bring into a closer relationship the home and the school.
C.  To facilitate cooperation between parents and teachers in the training of the child.
D.  to develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for every child the highest advantages in physical, mental, and social education.

Section II.  The objectives of this organization are promoted through an educational program directed toward parents, teachers, and the general public.  The objectives are developed through conferences, committees, projects, and programs, and are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in Article III.

Article III - Basic Policies

The following are basic policies of this organization:
A.  The organization shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.
B.  The name of the organization or the name of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the organization.
C.  The organization shall not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office, including the publishing or distributing of statements or the devotion of more than an insubstantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise.
D.  The organization shall cooperate with schools to support the improvement of education in ways that will not interfere with administration of the schools and shall not seek to control their policies.
E.  The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with child welfare, but persons representing the organizations in such matters shall make no commitments that bind the organization.
F.  In the event of the dissolution of the organization, its assets shall be distributed for one or more of the exempt purposes specified in Section 501 (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as from time to time amended.

Article IV - Membership and Dues.

Section I.  Any individual who subscribes to the objectives and basic policies of this organization may become a member, subject only to compliance with the provisions of the Bylaws and payment of dues.  Membership in this organization shall be available without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin.

Section II.  The organization shall conduct an annual enrollment of members but persons may be admitted to membership at any time.

Article V - Officers and Elections.

Section I - Election and term of office:
A.  The officers of this organization shall be:  President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Spirit Officer, Yearbook Officer/Historian, Publicity Officer, Hospitality Officer, Room Parent Officer, Parliamentarian, and Volunteer Liaison.
B.  Officers shall be elected by the organization by written ballot annually at the third meeting.
C.  Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the last meeting and shall serve for a term of one (1) year.
D.  Vacancies in any office, excepting that of President, shall be filled by appointment of the President.  the new officer shall assume his duties immediately.
E.  In case of vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the duties of the president for the unexpired term.
F.  If any of the officers miss two (2) consecutive meetings for reasons other than illness, out of town travel, or a death in the family, she/he shall be replaced according to Article V, Section D.  All officers must notify the President or Secretary of any planned absences in advance of the meeting.

Section II - Nomination and Installation.

A.  Each person interested in running for an office shall contact the current President to place his/her name on the ballot before the third meeting.
B.  an opportunity shall be provided for nominations from the floor at the third meeting.  A candidate nominated from the floor will be a write-in candidate.  Only those who have consented to serve shall be eligible for nomination.
C.  Installation will be held annually at the last meeting of the school year.

Article VI - Duties of Officers.

Section I.  The President shall initiate and preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Board; shall be an ex-officio member of all committees; and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by these Bylaws or assigned by the organization or the Executive Board.

Section II.  The Vice-President shall act as an aide to the president; perform the duties of president in her/his absence or disability; and act as chairperson of all fund raising efforts including but not limited to the Country Fair.

Section III.  The Secretary shall keep an accurate attendance record and record of all meetings in the form of written minutes for all meetings of the organization and the Executive Board.  The Secretary will be responsible for notifying all Executive Board members of scheduled meetings at least one week before the meeting is held except in the case of emergency meetings.  He/she shall perform such other duties as may be delegated.  In the absence of the President and Vice-President, the Secretary shall preside until a chairperson pro-tem is elected.

Section IV.  The Treasurer shall receive the monies of the organization , keep an accurate record of the receipts and expenditures and pay out only that which is authorized by the organization.  The Treasurer's accounts shall be audited annually by a committee of not less than three (3) members.  The auditing committee shall be appointed by the executive committee at least two (2) weeks prior to the last meeting.  The Treasurer shall give a statement of account at each meeting of the organization and Executive Board.  All checks shall be co-signed by the Treasurer and the President.

Section V.  The Spirit Officer shall act as the chairperson of T-shirt and spirit item sales.  The Spirit Officer will oversee any contests and incentive rewards related to T-shirt and spirit items.  She/he shall perform such other duties as may be delegated.

Section VI.  The Publicity Officer/Historian shall act as the chairperson of the yearbook and any publicity as well as act as historian for the organization.  She/he shall perform such other duties as may be delegated. 

Section VII.  The Hospitality Officer shall act as the organizations host/hostess for all meetings of the organization.  She/he shall perform such other duties as may be delegated.

Section VIII.  The Room Parent Officer shall act as a coordinator for the Executive Board and each class Room Parent.  This officer will ensure all room parents are aware of their duties related to the County Fair and class parties.  She/he shall perform such other duties as may be delegated.

Section IX.  The Parliamentarian shall ensure all acts of the organization and Executive Board are conducted as required by these Bylaws and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated.

Section X.  The Volunteer Liaison Officer shall act as a coordinator for the organization and the parent or other volunteers.  She/he shall perform such other duties as may be delegated.

Section XI.  All officers share responsibility for all events and shall work as a team to accomplish organizational goals.  

Article VII - Meetings.

Section I.  A minimum of four (4) regular meetings and/or programs shall be held during the school year.  Dates for the meetings will be set by the Executive Board.  the third meeting shall include the election of officers.  The last meeting of the school year shall be the meeting at which annual reports shall be received and officers installed.  Special meetings may be called as desired by the organization of the Executive Board, seven (7) days notice being given.

Section II.  At least one-half of Executive Board Officers must be present to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting.

Article VIII - Executive Board.

Section I.  The Executive Board shall consist of officers of the organization, chairpersons of standing committees, teacher representatives, and the principal or representative.  All members of the Executive Board are entitled to vote.

Section II.  The duties of the Executive Board shall be to transact business between meetings and approve standing committee plans.

Section III.  Meetings of this committee shall be held as needed.  The Secretary will notify each member of the Executive Board of scheduled meetings no later than seven (7) days before the meeting, except in the case of emergency meetings. 

Article IX - Standing Committees.

Section I.  There shall be such standing committees, appointed by the President in consultation with the elected officers, as needed.  Example:  Santa Shop, Membership, etc.

Section II.  The Chairpersons of all standing committees shall present plans of work to the Executive Board.  No committee shall undertake work without the approval of the Executive Board.

Article X - Parliamentary Authority.

Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable.  The Parliamentarian shall ensure this provision is followed at all times.

Article XI - Amendments.

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given at the previous meeting.  A committee may be appointed to submit a revised set of Bylaws as a substitute for the existing Bylaws by a majority vote at a meeting of the organization 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.