River Dell Parent Teacher Student Organization Bylaws
Updated on October 11, 2022
Article I: Name
This organization is named the River Dell Parent, Teacher, and Student Organization (PTSO). The organization is variously referred to in these bylaws as the “Parent Organization”, “RDPTSO”, or “PTSO”. The district itself, River Dell Regional School Distirct, is referred to herein as “RD”.
Article II: Purpose
The PTSO is organized for the following purposes:
A. Communications: To facilitate communication and liaison with student families and other school constituencies on matters which are of interest to the PTSO;
B. Involvement: To encourage and coordinate volunteerism among parents and guardians in support of RD events and activities; and
C. Enrichment: To initiate and raise funds for special projects, events and assets which will enhance the quality of education, school experience, and extracurricular activities for RD students.
Article III: Membership and Dues
All parents and legal guardians who have at least one child enrolled in RD shall be eligible as Members of the PTSO with all rights of membership other than a right to vote on PTSO financial matters.
Unless otherwise defined herein, a “school year” as it applies to these bylaws shall run from July 1st to June 30th.
The annual dues level shall be set by the PTSO Executive Committee at the beginning of each school year. If a dues level is not set by October 31st, then the dues level for the most recent school year shall apply for the current year.
All funds which are collected as dues may be used without restriction by the PTSO for any lawful expenditure related to Article II hereinabove.
Article IV: Member Meetings
Regular Meetings: Regular meetings of the Members shall be held four times or as required during September through May of each school year. Reasonable advance notice of the date, time and location of regular meetings, as well as any date changes due to school closures or other related reasons, will be given to Members. A standing rule for this purpose may be adopted and/or revised by the Executive Committee.
Notices: Notice of regular and/or special meetings of the Members shall be provided by publication in the RDPTSO website and/or through broadcast emails for RD parents/guardians. Members shall be individually responsible for ensuring that their own email information is on file with RD and is accurate.
Quorum: At all regular or special meetings of the Members, a quorum shall consist of (i) two or more Officers present; and (ii) three or more non-Officer Members present. A vote of the Members at such meetings shall be deemed valid if a quorum is established.
Parliamentary Rules: At all regular or special meetings of the Members, the presiding Officer shall have the sole authority to conduct the meeting under rules consistent with Roberts Rules of Order or any reasonable simplification thereof, and to expel Members or other attendees who materially disrupt the meeting.
Article V: PTSO Officers
Officers: The PTSO may have up to seven (7) Officers: one President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and two PTSO Members at Large. At a minimum the PTSO shall have at least three officers: President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Eligibility: Officers must be eligible Members at all times, as defined herein above and including their qualification as voting Members, and any Officer shall be deemed to have resigned effective with the first date that all of their children are no longer enrolled in RD.
Term of Office: The President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and Members at Large shall be elected to serve one-year terms. In each case a one-year term is defined as a school year, July 1st through June 30th; any Officer may be reelected by the Executive Committee if eligible.
Removal: The Executive Committee may remove any Officer by a simple majority vote of all other Officers.
Duties of Officers:
President: The President shall be responsible for:
i. Liaison relationships with the RD administrative staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, and faculty
ii. Approving all official communications of the PTSO
iii. Oversight of all standing, recurring and ad hoc Committees.
iv. Oversight of business and financial affairs of the PTSO.
v. Presiding over regular and special meetings of the Members, unless otherwise delegated
vi. Oversight of all other Office
Vice-President, Scheduling and Fundraising: This Vice President shall be responsible for keeping the PTSO’s calendar of events and schedules of commitments, and shall actively engage the school and parents to clarify and communicate all aspects thereof, and shall provide oversight of the PTSO’s fundraising activities. If necessary, the Vice President, Scheduling and Fundraising shall serve in the stead of the President if they are not available.
Vice President, At-Large: This Vice President shall be responsible for assisting the other Officers as needed, for leading special initiatives of the PTSO, and for serving as the Vice President, Scheduling and Fundraising in the event of a vacancy.
Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for: (i) issuing notices; (ii) administering and recording minutes of Member meetings and Officer meetings; (iii) maintaining a file of official correspondence of the PTSO; and (iv) retaining all necessary books and records of the PTSO other than those retained by the Treasurer.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for (i) overseeing and administering the financial reporting needs of the PTSO; (ii) co-approving, with the RD Business Office, all disbursements of the PTSO, and
(iii) coordinating among the RD Business Office and the PTSO to ensure mutually-acceptable transparency and timeliness for all transactions.
Members at Large: These Members shall be responsible for assisting the other Officers as needed and for leading special initiatives of the PTSO.
Article VI: The Executive Committee
The Officers altogether constitute an “Executive Committee” which shall be empowered to act (a) as expressly described in these bylaws; and (b) on behalf of the PTSO between meetings of the Members on matters which cannot reasonably be deferred to the next regular or special meeting of the Members.
Meetings of the Executive Committee: Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President individually, or they may be called by any three Officers acting collectively, with reasonable advance notice. Decisions made in all meetings of the Executive Committee shall require a quorum of three (3) or more Officers and a majority vote of the Officers present.
Governance: The Executive Committee shall be responsible for general oversight, management, and governance of the PTSO. These duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (i) seeking nominees for Officers; (ii) developing and reviewing all budgets and revisions thereto prior to submitting such matters to the Members for approval; (iii) reviewing all proposed revisions to these bylaws prior to submitting to the Members for approval; and (iv) making appropriate recommendations on matters to be acted on by the Members.
Article VII: PTSO Committees
The standing committees of the PTSO shall be:
. Fundraising -- All Other
. Hospitality
. Legislative Affairs
. Teacher Appreciation
Ad hoc committees of the PTSO may be created at any time by a decision of the Executive Committee.
Article IX: Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by a simple majority election of the Members at any regular or special meeting, provided that advance notice of such an election is given to Members consistent with the notice requirement for special meetings of the Members.