Running Creek School
Parent-Teacher Organization
By-Laws

The name of the organization shall be the Running Creek School Parent Teacher Organization.

The purpose of the organization shall be to aid the students of Running Creek School by providing support for their educational and recreational needs and to promote open communication between the administration, teachers, and parents.

Article III:  MEMBERSHIP

1. Regular Membership.  Membership in the organization is open to all faculty, parents, and legal guardians of students attending Running Creek School who agree to abide by the rules and regulations described in the by-laws of this organization, and who are willing to uphold its basic policies and subscribe to its by-laws.  Regular Members shall have the right to attend and participate in all meetings and activities of the organization.  However, unless elected to an office or to an Executive Council position, a Regular Member does not have the right to vote on matters presented at Executive Council meetings, but may provide input at the discretion of the President.

 The Principal shall be a non-voting member and shall be considered a sitting advisor and/or consultant.

1. Honorary Membership.  All parents and/or legal guardians of former students and former faculty or staff of Running Creek School shall have the right to participate in the organization as Honorary Members.  Honorary Membership may also be extended to other persons by a vote of the membership.  Honorary Members shall have the same rights as Regular Members, except they do not have the right to vote or hold office.

C.   Amount.  The organization shall authorize and collect annual membership dues to be used for the operation of the organization.  Any change in the amount of dues shall be approved by a vote of the Voting Members acting in the manner prescribed in Section IV.

D.  Due Dates.  Membership Drive will be held at Open House.  People can also join at any regular scheduled meeting.

1. Financial Hardship.  No Regular Member shall be denied the right to participate in the activities of the organization or to become a Voting Member due to financial hardship.  The Executive Council shall establish a procedure for alternative payments or waivers to insure compliance with this policy.

Article IV:  MEETINGS

1. Regular Meetings.  At least three General Membership Meetings of the organization shall be held during each school year.  Two (2) General Membership Meetings will be held in the school gym.  The time and place of the meetings shall be announced at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.  A minimum of one (1) newsletter shall be sent home with students during the school year.  This newsletter shall be considered the third (3rd) General Membership Meeting.  (Executive Council approved this change to the Parent-Teacher Organization By-laws on September 14, 2004.)

1. Special Meetings.  Additional meetings of the organization may be called either by vote of the Executive Council or by petition of a majority of the Voting Members.  The time and place of all Special Meetings shall be announced at least seven (7) school days prior to the meetings.

1. Voting.  Except as otherwise specified in these by-laws, a majority vote of the Executive Council Members present at any meeting shall be required for all action to be taken by the organization.

1. Rules of Order.

Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern this Organization’s meetings in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-laws and any special rules of order that may be adopted.

Article V:  OFFICERS

1. Election Procedures.  All voting members, not just Executive Council members,

can nominate and vote on officers.

(Executive Council approved this change to the Parent-Teacher Organization By-laws on May 10, 2005.)

1.  Positions.  The officers of the organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  Two persons may be nominated and elected to fill a single position.  In this instance, both of the persons shall be given all of the rights and responsibilities of the office as specified below.

All officers shall deliver to their successors official materials at the close of their service of office.

It shall be the duty of any outgoing officers to submit written reports to the new officers to insure effective transition of responsibilities.

1. President.  The President shall be the principal executive officer of the organization and, subject to the control of the Executive Council and the direction of the membership, shall in general supervise and control all of the activities of the organization.  The President shall be a member of the Executive Council and, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Council and all meetings of the membership.  The President shall vote only in the case of a tie in a vote of the Executive Council or the membership.  The President shall select and appoint the chairpersons of all Standing Committees and Special Committees and shall be an Ex-Officio member of all committees of the organization.

1. Vice President.  The Vice President shall be a member of the Executive Council and in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the President.  The Vice President shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the President or the Executive Council.

1. Secretary.  The Secretary shall be a member of the Executive Council.  The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the proceedings of the membership and the Executive Council; shall receive from the Treasurer the list of Regular Members who have paid dues and prepare the official list of Voting Members; shall see that notices are duly given in accordance with these By-laws; and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Council.

The Secretary shall make the minutes available to Executive Council prior to the next scheduled meeting of the officers or the membership, as the case may be.

Two copies of the minutes will be kept (1 copy with the Secretary and 1 copy at Running Creek School).

1. Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall be a member of the Executive Council and shall be qualified professionally to assume the duties of this office as well as undergo a criminal background check.  The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds of the organization and shall receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the organization from all sources and shall deposit such funds in such banks or other organizations as are selected by the Executive Council.  The Treasurer shall make disbursements as authorized by the President, Executive Council, or membership in accordance with the budget adopted by the membership (Refer to Article IX – Section D).  The Treasurer shall collect all membership dues, as are established by the organization and provide the Secretary with a list of Regular Members who have paid dues.  The Treasurer shall present a written financial report at each General Membership meeting of the membership and at each meeting of the Executive Council.

G.  Term of Office.  The term of each officer shall be one year, beginning on May 15 and ending on May 14 of the following year.  An officer must be nominated, voted by secret ballot, and chosen by the majority of the Voting Members present.  An officer may serve in any position as many years as deemed necessary, as long as the Officer is nominated and approved by majority vote of the Council.

(Executive Council approved this change to the Parent-Teacher Organization By-laws on September 14, 2004.)

1. Fundraising Officers.  The Fundraising Officers shall be members of the Executive Council and shall consist of two to three members.  The Fundraising Officers shall organize all fundraisers pertaining to the Organization and may deposit funds to the Organization’s bank account in the absence of the Treasurer.  The Fundraising Officers shall present a report of all fundraising efforts at each meeting of the Executive Council and at each General Membership meeting.

Article VI:  EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

1. General Powers.  The affairs, activities, and operation of the organization shall be managed by the Executive Council.  The Executive Council shall transact necessary business during the intervals between the meetings of the membership and such other business as may be referred to it by the membership of these By-laws.  It may create Standing and Special Committees, present reports and recommendations at the meetings of the membership, prepare and submit a budget to the membership for approval, and, in general, conduct the business and activities of the organization.

1. Membership.  The membership of the Executive Council shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and up to 25 council members or 20% of the General Membership, and at least one (1) faculty representative selected by the faculty.

Faculty representatives should be included in the total membership of the Executive Council and they should have voting rights.

1. Meetings.  Meetings of the Executive Council shall be held during the year as needed.  Special meetings may be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Council.  Adequate notice of all meetings shall be given to all members of the Executive Council and, in the absence of an emergency, at least seven (7) school days in advance.  When possible, notice of the meetings should be announced to all Regular Members of the organization.  Any Regular Member may attend a meeting of the Executive Council, but shall not be entitled to vote on matters before the body.  Executive Council members are expected to attend all meetings called unless there are circumstances beyond their control to keep them from attending. 

D.            Elections.  The selection of Executive Council members shall take place during the last General Membership Meeting each year.  All Voting Members of the organization may participate in this selection.  Prior to the last general meeting, the Executive Council will hold a meeting to establish vacancies for council seats.  After obtaining a vacancy list, a notice (newsletter) will be sent home for interested participants to sign up for vacant council seats.  At the last general meeting, a sign up sheet will also be available for those interested in council positions.  Based upon number of council seats available and interested parents/guardians, a ballot vote may be held.  The President will make results of the election public to newly elected council members.

Article VII:  SPECIAL COMMITTEES

The President and/or the Executive Council may create Special Committees.  Special committees shall be created for a specific time and/or task and shall cease to exist when that time or task has been completed, or on May 14 of each year, whichever occurs first.

Committee Chairman shall be responsible to contact committee members and bring findings/research to the regular meetings.

Article VIII:  FINANCES

1. Annual Report.  The Executive Council shall present to the membership at the first Regular Meeting of the year a report of anticipated revenues and expenses for the year.  This budget shall be used to guide the activities of the Executive Council during the year.  Any substantial deviation from the budget must be approved in advance by the membership.

1. Obligations.  The Executive Council may authorize an officer or officers to enter into contracts or agreements for the purchase of materials or services on behalf of the organization.  The officers shall not have the authority to enter into such agreements on behalf of Running Creek School or the Stanly County School District, nor should they hold themselves out as having such authority.

1. Loans.  No loans shall be made by the organization to its officers or members.

1. Commercial Paper.  The Treasurer and/or another Officer (signatures must be on file at bank) shall sign all checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of money on behalf of the organization.  For disbursements of $1,000.00 or more, two signatures shall be required.

1. Deposits.  The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the organization to the credit of the organization in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Executive Council may select and shall make such disbursements as authorized by the Executive Council in accordance with the budget adopted by the membership.  All deposits shall be made upon receipt or within 24 hours from the date/time of receipt and all disbursements shall be made within a maximum of thirty (30) days from the receipt of orders of payment.  A minimum of $2,000 shall be required in the Organization’s account at the beginning of each school year.

1. Income Provision.  No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, 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 purposes set forth in these bylaws.  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 by-laws, 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 Code or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c) (2) of the Code.

1. Financial Report.  The Treasurer shall present a financial report at each General Membership Meeting of the organization and shall prepare a final report due May 14 of each school year.  The Executive Audit Committee (consisting of three (3) Executive Committee Members {non officers}), who if satisfied that the Treasurer’s annual report is correct, shall sign a statement of that fact at the end of the report.

1. Financial Statements.  The Treasurer shall present or make available a detailed financial report at each Executive Council meeting.

1. Dissolution Statement.  Upon the dissolution of the organization, the Executive Council shall after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all of the assets of the organization exclusively for the purposes of the organization in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, educational, scientific or literary purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Code as the Executive Council shall determine, or to federal, state, or local governments to be used exclusively for public purposes.  Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Superior Court of the County of Stanly, North Carolina, exclusively for such purposes or to such organizations, such as court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes, or to such governments for such purposes.

Article IX:  CODE OF CONDUCT

All members of Running Creek School PTO are expected to refrain from any disorderly conduct and to exercise courtesy and tact in dealing with fellow members and the public.  Officers and Executive Council members shall be required to sign an agreement and understanding of Code of Conduct.

Provision for Removal from Office/Position/Membership:

1. Charges of professional dishonesty, working against the principles and purposes of the organization and/or injuring the professional standing of another member, may be filed in a written statement, signed by five members in good standing, and submitted to the Executive Board.  The Executive Board and the Principal at the Executive Board meeting will decide any act requiring disciplinary action.

1. The accused member shall be notified in writing of all allegations, and shall have the privilege of being present at a special or regular meeting of the Executive Board, at which time the charges will be considered.

1. A member may be suspended from the organization by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, subsequent to the execution of the procedures set forth in Sections A. and B. of this article.

1. If any member of the Board misses more than two consecutive meetings without notification, it shall be the duty of the Co-Presidents to contact the Board member and ascertain interest in remaining on the Board.

 Article X:  AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any meeting, providing notice of the proposed amendments was given at the previous regular meeting or communicated to the members at least seven (7) days in advance.

Article XI:  AUTHORITY

If any part of these By-laws shall conflict with the decisions, policies, or procedures adopted by the Stanly County School Board, they shall be deemed null and void and the Stanly County School Board shall, in all cases, control.

These By-laws were adopted by the Executive Council by a majority vote during a meeting properly called on July 8th, 2003, and shall take effect immediately.

Updated 11/4/2003

Approved 11/4/2003

Amended 7/13/2004

Approved 9/14/2004

Amended 5/10/2005

Approved 5/10/2005

Amended 6/13/2005

Approved 8/1/2005