ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of his organization is the Norwalk Parent Teacher Organization Council, hereinafter referred to as the Norwalk PTO Council, or this organization.

ARTICLE II
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

The Norwalk PTO Council “Articles of Organization” comprises the Bylaws as from time to time amended.

ARTICLE III
PURPOSE AND MISSION

Section A – The purposes of this organization are to promote the welfare of children and youth in the Norwalk Public Schools, promote cooperation and communication between home, school and the community, and to promote united efforts to secure the highest advantages in education for all Norwalk Public Schools’ children.

Section B – In order to bring into closer relation, the school, the home and the community so that such united efforts may be made to secure the highest advantages in education for children and youth, the mission on the Norwalk PTO Council is to support and speak on behalf of the educational needs of all Norwalk Public School children, whenever and wherever possible, to serve as a resource for parents and the community on educational issues, and to maximize opportunities for communication between parents, teachers, administrators, Board of Education members, government officials and the general public.

Section C – This organization is non-profit, noncommercial, nonsectarian, nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory, in accordance with Federal, State and Local law.

ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section A – one recognized parent teacher organization from each of the Norwalk Public Schools, whose bylaws, policies, and purposes are compatible with those of the Norwalk PTO Council, has a right to membership in this organization. If a parent teacher organization of the Norwalk Public Schools exists in a neighborhood, or as a part of a larger organization, where parents are prevented from participation in their children’s schools because of transportation, and if the bylaws are compatible with the Norwalk PTO Council, then such an organization is also entitled to membership in this organization.

Section B – Each member organization shall designate one of more representatives to attend all meetings of the Norwalk PTO Council. This representative must be a member in good standing of his/her school parent organization. Each member organization is entitled to one vote.

Section C – Membership dues shall be determined by vote of the organization membership annually and must be paid by each member organization. Any member organization which has not paid its dues by December 1^st of the current school year, will forfeit its voting privileges until such dues are paid in full.

Section D – To remain a member in good standing, each member organization must file bylaws annually with the organization and perform an annual financial review according to their bylaws, and a copy filed with the organization.

Section E – The Norwalk Federation of Teachers may designate two teachers to be representatives to the Norwalk PTO Council, as non-dues paying, non-voting members of this organization.

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS

Section A – The officers of the Norwalk PTO Council shall be the president, first vice president, second vice president, third vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and treasurer.

1. Qualifications: All officers shall be members in good standing of a school parent organization which is a dues paying member of the Norwalk PTO Council.

2. Term of office: Elective officer shall serve a term of two years, or until their successors are elected. No officer shall serve for more that two consecutive terms in the same office.

In years ending in an even number at the time elections are held, the president, vice president for education, treasurer, and corresponding secretary shall be elected. In years ending in an odd number, the first vice president, vice president for administration and recording secretary shall be elected. During the year of implementation of staggered terms (2001, an odd-numbered year), it shall be considered a midterm election for those serving in even-year terms.

3. Nominations: Nominations for officers shall be made by a nominating committee of three to five members of the voting body of the council. No two shall be from the same school parent organization, and one shall be from the executive board. Notice shall be given to this organization of the formation of the nominating committee three months prior to the election. The names of the nominating committee shall be presented at the PTO Council meeting two months prior to the election by the executive board, for a vote by the members of this organization. Additional nominations shall be taken from the floor. Notice shall be given by the executive board to this organization and to the presidents of the school parent organizations, indicating the officers’ positions up for election. The nominating committee shall name one or more candidates for each office to be filled, obtaining the nominee’s consent, and shall report the names to this organization at the meting prior to the election (generally the April meeting). Additional nominations shall be taken from the floor.

4. Election: Officers shall be elected by ballot at the meeting designates as the annual meeting (generally the May meeting). However, if there is only one candidate for any office, upon adoption of a motion from the floor, the secretary shall be empowered to cast a single ballot for the election of that officer or officers.

5. Installation: The elected officers shall be installed following their election, and shall assume the duties of office the day after the last day of school in June.

6. Attendance: Officers will attend all meetings of the Norwalk PTO Council.

7. Voting: Executive Board members may not vote as the representative of a member organization.

8. Limitations: Officers shall not use the name of the Norwalk PTO Council in connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to the purposes of this organization. Officers should clearly separate their affiliation with the Norwalk PTO Council from any partisan political activity. Officers of the Norwalk PTO Council seeking election to public office shall take a leave of absence pending the outcome of the election.

9. Vacancies: A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled for the expired term, by the first vice president. Should a vacancy occur in any other office, it shall be filled by a majority vote to the remaining members of the Executive Board.

10. Resignation: Any officer may resign by submitting that resignation in writing to the Executive Board.

11. Removal: Any elected officer may be removed for cause. Sufficient cause for such removal may be violation of these Bylaws or any lawful rule, practice or procedure adopted by the organization or other conduct deemed by the organization to be prejudicial to the best interest of this organization. For removal of an elected officer for cause, it shall be necessary for the body that elects to hold a formal hearing. A statement of the charges shall be sent registered mail to the recorded address of the officer, accompanied by the notice of the time and place of the meeting at which the charges are to be considered. At least thirty days notice shall be given, and the officer shall have the opportunity to appear in person or to be represented by counsel and then present any defense to such charges before action is taken. The body holding the hearing shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to assure due process to the officer.

ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section A – President

1. The President shall preside at all meeting of the Norwalk PTO Council and the Executive Board, and shall coordinate and extend the work of the Norwalk PTO Council into all parts of the community so as to promote the purposes and mission as stated in these Bylaws, and shall act as liaison with the Board of Education and administration.

Section B – Vice Presidents

1. The First Vice President shall be responsible for meeting agendas and speakers, preside over all meetings at which the President is absent, and assist the President with his/her duties.

2. The Vice President for Educational Information shall be responsible for informing the PTO Council of educational issues at the local, state and national levels, and preside over all meetings at which the President and other Vice Presidents are absent.

3. The Vice President for Administration shall be responsible for member records and related directories, internal member communication, collection of membership organization bylaws and preside over all meetings at which the President and other Vice Presidents are absent.

Section C – Recording Secretary

1. The Recording Secretary shall record and keep the minutes of all meetings, maintain a copy of these bylaws, and maintain attendance records.

Section D – Corresponding Secretary

1. The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for all internal and external communications of this organization

Section E – Treasurer

1. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys of this organization and shall pay any bills or obligations as authorized by this organization or the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep a record of all financial transactions of this organization and shall present a full financial report at every meeting of this organization. The Treasurer shall maintain a record of member organization financial reviews.

ARTICLE VII

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section A – The composition of the Executive Board shall be the President, Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President.

Section B – Duties:

1. The Executive Board shall have the power to act in emergencies between meetings of this organization.

2. The Executive Board shall cause the accounts of this organization to be audited annually.

3. The Executive Board shall solicit and appoint parent representatives for school district or community committees.

4. The Executive Board shall transact any such business as prescribed in these bylaws or that may be referred to it by this organization.

5. The Executive Board shall share the attendance at community meetings as a representative of the organization.

Section C – The Executive Board shall meet as needed prior to meetings of the Norwalk PTO Council. The President or two members of the Executive Board may call meetings.

ARTICLE VIII

MEETINGS

Section A – Regular meetings of the Norwalk PTO Council will be held monthly from September until June, the time to be determined by the Executive Board. The annual meeting for the purposes of election of officers shall be in May or June, at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Section B – Special meetings of the Norwalk PTO Council shall be called by the President or upon request of two or more members of the Executive Board, or by a majority of the members of this organization. The call for such a meeting shall be issued at least five days prior to the meeting and shall state the business to be considered.

Section C – All meetings of the Norwalk PTO Council shall be open to all members of all school parent organizations holding membership in this organization as well as any member of the general public.

Section D – The voting body of the Norwalk PTO Council consists of a representative from each member organization, and the officers. A member may vote as a representative of only one member organization.

Section E – A quorum for the transaction of business of this organization shall consist of a majority of the voting body.

ARTICLE IX
FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Norwalk PTO Council shall begin on July 1st and end on June 20th of the following year.

ARTICLE X
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable an in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.

ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS

Section A – These bylaws may be repealed or amended in whole or in part, or provisions added by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting of this organization, provided written notice of the proposal has been given at a previous meeting. Any action relative to a change in these bylaws shall be effective upon adoption, unless otherwise specified in the proposed change.

Section B – The bylaws shall be reviewed and endorsed in every year ending in an even number.

ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION

The Norwalk PTO Council shall use its funds to accomplish the Purpose and Mission stated in these bylaws. Upon dissolution on the Norwalk PTO Council, all funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more qualified educational, charitable, scientific or philanthropic organizations to be selected by the Executive Board.