SANDY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL PTSO
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
(Revised November 1, 2004)

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ARTICLE I
Name of the organization

The name of the organization shall be the Sandy Creek High School Parent Teacher Student Organization.

ARTICLE II
Nature of the Organization

The organization is non-profit, organized under the laws of the State of Georgia.

ARTICLE III
Objectives of the Organization

Objectives of this organization are:

Section 1
To provide a forum whereby parents, teachers, students and the administration shall have an opportunity to meet, discuss and have programs related to their mutual concerns for the education and welfare of the students of Sandy Creek High School.  This forum shall be in the form of the regularly scheduled business-like meetings of the Parent Teacher Student Organization.  The P.T.S.O. is a Parent Teacher Student Organization, and meetings should present information and educational topics of interest to parents, teachers, and students.  Performances by students may be included as a portion of the P.T.S.O. program with prior approval of the Board of Directors.
To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, and community. 
To bring into closer relation the home and the school in which parents, teachers, and students may cooperate intelligently in the educational process.
To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for every student the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.

Section 2
The objectives of this organization are promoted through an educational program directed toward parents, teachers, students, and the general public; are developed through conferences, committees, projects, and programs; and are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in Article IV.

ARTICLE IV
Basic Policies
Section 1
The purposed for which the Sandy Creek High School P.T.S.O. is organized are exclusively religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational within the meaning of section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
Section 2
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this organization shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
Section 3
The name of the organization or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in connection with a commercial concern, or with any partisan interest, or for any purpose not appropriately related to promoting the objectives of the organization.
Section 4
The organization shall not directly participate or intervene in any political candidate’s campaign for public office; or devote any of its activities attempting to influence legislation.
Section 5
The organization shall cooperate with the administration of the school to support the improvement of education and shall seek to participate in the decision-making process establishing school policy, recognizing that the legal responsibility to make decision has been delegated by the people to the Board of Education.
Section 6
The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with child welfare, but persons representing the organization shall make no commitments that bind the organization.
Section 7
In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of the organization will be turned over to one or more organizations which themselves are exempt as organizations described in sections 501(C) (3) and 170 (C) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of corresponding sections of any prior or future Internal Revenue Code, or to the federal, state, or local governments for exclusive public purpose.

Article V
Membership and Dues
Section 1
Any individual who subscribes to the objectives and basic policies of this organization may become a member, subject only to compliance with the provisions of the by-laws.  Membership in this organization shall be available without regard to race, cooler, creed, sex, religious preference, or national origin.
Section 2
The organization shall conduct an annual enrollment of members; however; persons may be admitted to membership at any time.
Section 3
Only members in good standing of the organization (i.e., currently enrolled, dues-paying members) shall be eligible to participate in its business meetings, or to serve in any of its elective or appointed positions.
Sections 4
Each member of the organization shall pay annual dues in the amount approved by the general membership as recommended by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
Financial Management
Section 1
Finances shall be managed in an orderly and business-like way.  Disbursements shall be made in keeping with an approved budget, with all checks signed by two of the approved officers designated by the Board of Directors, e.g., the Treasurer and one other elected official.
Section 2
The Board of Directors may approve expenditures not specified in the budget when funds are available.
Article VII
Officers, Board of Directors, and Their Election
Section 1

1. The officers of this organization shall consist of a president or co-presidents, a vice president, a secretary and a treasurer.
2. The board of Directors will consist of elected officers, two faculty representatives, two student body representatives and four members at large.  The immediate past president and the principal and/or assistant principal will serve as ex-officio members of the Board of Directors.
3. Officers and Board members shall assume their official duties on June 1, and serve for a term of one year or until the election and qualifications of their successors.
4. A person shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 2

1. There shall be a nominating committee composed of three members, one of whom shall be selected from the Board of Directors, and two of whom shall be appointed by the president of the organization, from the general membership.  The chairman of the nominating committee shall be elected by the committee itself.
2. The nominating committee shall nominate one eligible person for president or co-president, vice president, secretary and treasurer and report its nominees at the last regular meeting of the school year at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor.
3. Only those persons, who have signified their consent to serve, if elected, shall be nominated for or elected to such office or position.

Section 3
A vacancy occurring in any office or on the Board of Directors shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Article VIII
Duties of Officers
Section 1
The president or co-presidents shall preside at all meetings of the organizations and of the Board of Directors; shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these By-Laws and shall coordinate the work of the officers and committees of the organization in order that the organization’s objectives may be achieved.  The president or co-presidents will have coordinating responsibilities for the Budget Committee, the By-Laws Committee, and the Projects committee.  The president serves as an ex-officio member of all committees of the organization.
Section 2
The vice president shall act as aide to the president and shall perform the duties of the president in the absence of disability of that officer to act.  The vice president will monitor committees and report to the president and Board of Directors as appropriate.
Section 3
The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors and shall perform such duties as may be delegated to him/her.
Section 4
The treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the organization; shall keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures; and shall make disbursements as authorized by the organization or the Board of Directors: shall make regular reports to the Board and make a full report annually.  The treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of complete books of account and records.  The treasurer’s account shall be examined annually by a financial audit committee or not less than two members, plus the principal of Sandy Creek High School.  When the treasurer’s records and accounts are found in proper order, this shall be so stated in a report from the financial audit committee to the general membership.  An annual review of the treasurer’s accounts is for the protection of the treasurer.  It is the only means of assuring everyone that the accounts are accurate, and it relieves the treasurer of responsibility except in case of fraud.
Section 5

1. All officers shall perform their duties in a responsible and ethical manner to further the objectives of the organization.
2. Deliver to their successors all official material on June 1st.
   

Article IX
Meetings
Section 1
Regular meetings shall be held at least two times during the school year, and be announced through the school at least one week prior to the meeting.
Section 2
A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of the Board members present at any Board meeting.  A quorum of the general membership shall consist of the members present at any meeting announced to the general membership, through the school, at least one week in advance of the meeting date.
Section 3
The use of electronic means, in the form of email and/or conference calls, is permitted by the Board of Directors in conducting the business of the organization.  Any such vote would require a majority of the full Board in favor.
Article X
Committees
Section 1
The Board of Directors may create such standing committees as it may deem necessary to promote the objectives and carry on the work of the organization.  The term of each committee chairperson shall be one year or until the election and qualification of his/her successor.
Section 2
The chairperson of each standing committee shall present a plan of work to the Board of Directors for approval.

Article XI
Parliamentary Authority
Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall govern the organization in all cases in which they are applicable.

Article XII
Amendments

• These by-laws may be changed or amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a quorum of the membership or by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.
• A committee may be appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors or a majority vote at a general meeting of the organization to submit a revised set of by-laws as a substitute for the existing by-laws.  The requirements for adoption of a revised set of by-laws shall be the same as in the case of amendment.