Blakewood Elementary School By-Laws
School District of South Milwaukee

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Article I
Name: The name of and location of this organization shall be the Blakewood Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Blakewood Elementary School, Doing Business As Blakewood Boosters.

Article II
Purpose Statement: Our purpose is to promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, and community through cooperative efforts of educators and parents with fund-raising, family activities, and volunteerism.

Article III
Policies: The policies shall be developed through meetings, conferences, and committees and shall not direct or control the administrative policies of the school.

Article IV
Discrimination: Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) of Blakewood Elementary School of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin does not discriminate against any employee, applicant, customer, supplier, or other business associates on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. It is PTO's intent to provide equal opportunity to all employees, applicants and business associates based on merit.

Article V
Membership:
Section I. The members shall be parents or guardians of students, patrons, and educators who take interest in Blakewood Elementary School. The principal shall be considered an advisor to the group and have voting rights.

Section II. Role at Regular Meetings: Any general member is welcome to attend and provide input to the PTO Board.

Section III. Voting Privileges: Each member present at meeting shall have one vote.

Article VI
Meetings:
Section I. Regular Meetings: General meetings will be held at least every other month during the school year.

Section II. Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the executive board. The executive board to the school will announce notice of the special meeting at least 5 calendar days prior to the meeting.

Section III. Quorum: Two-thirds majority of board members shall be present to conduct the financial business of the organization.

Article VII
Officers:
Section I. Positions: The executive board of this organization shall be President/ Co-presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraiser Coordinator and other adhoc positions designated by the executive board.
A. President Duties:
1. Check PTO mailbox in school office (2-3 times per week)
2. Set up/ run PTO meetings and Board meeting (if needed).
3. Set up calendar events for next school year and forward to school secretary by last week of school (This includes dates for PTO meetings, Market Day sales, Mr. Z’s Pizza Sale, Family Night, any events that you know ahead of time and are PTO based)
4. Update Blakewood Parent Handbook each year
5. Set up and keep current –PTO Bulletin Board
6. Send letter to Middle School Volunteen Coordinator (Mrs. Rita Lambert) in August regarding Volunteens for PTO meetings for school year
7. Attend K4, K5 and new student orientations to give a brief overview of what PTO is and what we usually do (late August)
8. Coordinate Room Parents and the social (3rd or 4th week of September)
9. Coordinate meeting with 4th grade room parents for the 5th grade recognition program (meet mid-April to organize)
10. Order Floral arrangement/ Poinsettias or purchase small gift for the music teachers for the holiday sing and the art teacher for the spring art show
11. Order flowers for teachers and staff for Open House in September (usually 3rd Thursday)
12. Recruit volunteers for Open House, Art Show, Family Fun Night
13. Other duties as needed

B. Vice President Duties:
1. Will preside in the absence of the President
2. Shall assist President in organization duties, as assigned
3. Will update organization bylaws by proposing revisions when necessary to keep documents current and responsive to the needs of the organization
4. Other duties as needed

C. Treasurer Duties:
1. Attend PTO meetings and other functions sponsored by PTO to oversee handling and depositing of money
2. Balance checkbook on a monthly basis
3. Prepare a yearly budget with the PTO membership and provide monthly updates on expenses and income
4. Pay bills on a timely basis
5. Requests for money will be submitted on disbursement forms by the teacher, staff and principal of Blakewood School and officers and chair people of the PTO
6. Purchases should be made with tax exempt status certificate whenever possible.
7. Money earned through sales of all products and services are handled by the Treasurer and/or President with the exception of money collected by Market Days
8. Produce a year end statement and audit of all accounts
9. Check PTO mailbox once a week
10. Be accessible by phone for any “emergencies”, questions, etc.
11. Work directly with other executive board members
12. Other duties as assigned

D. Secretary Duties
1. Record minutes from executive board and general PTO meetings
2. Provide copies of minutes for PTO board within 1 month of meeting
3. Other duties as assigned
4. Type agenda
5. Send out PTO meeting reminders

E. Fundraiser Chairperson
1. Help coordinate the schools fundraising activities
2. Train and provide support to the fundraiser event coordinators
3. Coordinate all funds received for deposit and verify with fundraiser chair

F. Volunteer Chairperson
1. Coordinate volunteer sheets 1st and 2nd semester and distribute to event coordinators

Section II. Terms:
A. The President will be elected in an even year for a two - year term.
B. The Vice – President will be elected in an odd year for a two – year term.
C. The Treasurer will be elected in an even year for a two – year term.
D. The Secretary will be elected in an odd year for a two – year term.

Section III. Nominations: Nominations will be solicited from general membership at the second last general meeting of the school year and through school publications. Consent must be received from the nominee.

Section IV. Elections: The election will be held at the last general meeting of the school year. Appropriate notification of the election will be given to the school population.

Section V. Vacancies: A vacancy occurring during a term in any office shall be filled through nominations at a general business meeting and elections will be held at the next consecutive general business meeting. When a vacancy occurs, an interim appointment can be made by the executive board until an election can be held.

Standing and Special Committees:
Standing Committees: The Executive Board may establish Standing Committees as deemed necessary for ongoing business of the organization.

Special Committees: The President and Executive Committee may establish special committees for specific tasks and will dissolve when the task is completed.


Finances:
Budget: The Executive Committee shall provide an itemized budget at the first regular meeting of the school year that outlines anticipated revenue and expenses for the year. The budget will be a guide for the organization activities for the year.

All funds of Blakewood School PTO shall be deposited by the Treasurer in a Federal or State chartered bank or credit union approved by the board.

The authorized signatures on the account shall be the President (Vice – President if no President) and Treasurer.

The account shall be named Blakewood Boosters.

All expenditures not listed, as budget items must be approved by the board. Items over $250 must be approved by the general membership.

Amendments to the By-Laws:
Section I. By-laws may be amended at any General Business Meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. Notice of proposed changes shall be given at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section II. These by-laws may be reviewed and revised by the board to meet the changing needs of the school and community by a majority vote of the General Membership.