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BYLAWS
Bylaws
are the fundamental governing rules of a PTA. The bylaws of a PTA
contain basic rules relating to the association as an organization
in order to conduct the unit's business and govern its affairs.
These bylaws define the primary characteristics of the organization,
prescribe how the association functions, and include all rules that
the association considers important to the rights and responsibilities
of the membership, whether present or absent from the assembly.
The provisions contained in the bylaws determine the amount of control
the members and assembly are to retain and the powers and limitations
of powers to be allowed officers, boards and committees. The bylaws
of an organization are always superior to and supersede the procedures
and parliamentary authority of the entity. One always looks first
in local unit and council PTA bylaws for a ruling on any question,
then to procedures, and finally in Robert's Rules of Order Newly
Revised.
ARTICLES
Since
local PTAs are organized and chartered by Georgia PTA and are units
of the National PTA, certain articles are included in every local
association's bylaws. These articles include Name, Articles of Organization,
Purpose, Basic Policies, Relationship with National and Georgia
PTA, Members and Dues, Officers
and Their Election, Duties of Officers, Meetings, Board of Directors,
Standing and Special Committees, Council Membership, Fiscal Year,
Parliamentary Authority and Amendments. Also, certain sections within
articles are included in all local associations' bylaws.
Click
here to review Georgia PTA Bylaws 
APPROVAL
OF BYLAWS
Once
a local unit has been organized and voted on bylaws, the District
Director or State representative will take two (2) copies of the
bylaws to the state office to be approved by the Georgia PTA Bylaws
Chairperson. A copy will be returned to the local unit for their
permanent files. It also is important to give a copy to all officers
and board members, as well as have a permanent copy on record for
all members to read. It is highly recommended that each board member
become familiar with the bylaws document and refer to them regularly.
AMENDING
THE BYLAWS
When
a change to the bylaws is desired, members should follow the procedure
outlined in the bylaws for making amendments. Refer to Article XVIII:
Amendments, Section 1.
Bylaws
may be amended at any regular general membership meeting by a two-thirds
vote of those present and voting, a quorum being present and notice
of the proposed amendments has been provided to the membership thirty
(30) days prior to the meeting. The amendment becomes effective
upon receipt of approval from Georgia PTA.
When
giving notice that an amendment will be proposed, you should word
the notice formally: For example: To "Amend Article III, Section
4, Line 2 Dues, by striking out $2.00 and inserting $3.00." Include
a brief explanation as to the reason for the proposed change.
Each
amendment to the bylaws needs to be submitted to the state office
on a separate form. Send two (2) copies of each amendment that you
want to be approved to the state office. Upon approval, the original
will be attached to the bylaws at the state office and a copy will
be returned to the local unit.
Bylaws
Amendment Form and Instructions
DUTIES
OF THE BYLAWS CHAIR
The Bylaws Chair should:
- Be
informed regarding local, state and National PTA bylaws.
- Distribute
copies of the bylaws to all board members and other PTA members
upon request.
- File
one copy of the bylaws with the President, one with the principal,
and the approved copy in the secretary's permanent minute book
for safekeeping and quick reference.
- Review
the local unit bylaws every year and include any automatic changes
that may have occurred in state and national bylaws.
- Amendments
to local unit bylaws require: (1) 30 days notice to the membership
of the specified change, and (2) approval by a 2/3 vote of the
members at a general meeting.
- One
copy of each bylaws amendment is to be forwarded to the Georgia
PTA for approval. Bylaws become effective upon receipt of an approved
stamped copy from Georgia PTA.
- Study
and discuss bylaws at board meetings or in study groups. Familiarize
members with their specific duties as outlined in the bylaws.
- A
copy of the bylaws should be a part of the procedure book
for each officer and committee chairperson.
- Any
violation of the bylaws should be brought to the attention of
the board of directors
immediately.
FAQS:
BYLAWS
What
do we do if our president resigns? Fill
the vacancy according to your local unit bylaws, Article VI, Section
6.
What's
the difference between an amendment and a revision? Amendments
are changes made to bylaws. A revision is the substitution of an
entirely new set of bylaws. A revision is more complicated because
your old bylaws are opened up for changes as well as the new revised
bylaws. A vote has to be taken on which set of bylaws the unit wishes
to adopt. Amendments are much easier to deal with even if there
are a significant number of them.
How
often does our local unit need to send in our bylaws? Local
units operate under bylaws that have been approved by Georgia PTA.
Mandatory amendments adopted by the National or Georgia PTAs are
automatically part of your local unit's bylaws. If your local unit
makes a change at the local level, your bylaws must be submitted
to Georgia PTA for approval.
If
a quorum was not present at a general meeting and we voted on officers,
is that a legal election? No.
If a quorum is not present, then no business is to be conducted.
If the presiding officer ignores the fact, any member should call
attention to the lack of a quorum before any business or elections
take place. If a quorum is not present at any meeting required in
the bylaws such as election of nominating committee or officers,
you must fix the time for an adjourned meeting. An adjourned meeting
may be held any time prior to the next regular meeting.
PARLIAMENTARY
PROCEDURE RESOURCES
NOMINATING
COMMITTEE AND ELECTIONS
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