BYLAWS OF

BLACKSTONE ELEMENTARY PARENTS

ORGANIZATION, INC.

Article 1. Name and Address

The principal name and address of this organization is the Blackstone Elementary Parents Organization, Inc., 200 Lincoln Street, Blackstone, MA 01504.

Article 2. Objective and Purpose

The specific objective and purpose of this organization is to provide for the advancement of educational and recreational programs for students of the J.F. Kennedy/A. F. Maloney Elementary Schools.

Article 3. Membership

• Membership is open to all parents and teachers of the J. F. Kennedy/A. F. Maloney Elementary School students, as well as the administrators of said school.
• Members will have voting privileges after attending at least one meeting during the school year, or in the case of the first three meetings of a new school year, a member must have attended at least one meeting in the prior school year between January and June. A sign up sheet is provided at each meeting.

Article 4. Officers

4.1 The elected officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

4.2 The officers shall be elected for a term of one year.

4.3 The term of office is from July 1 to June 30 preceeding the election.

4.4 The election will be held on the last regularly scheduled meeting of the school year.

Article 5. Officer Duties

5.1 President

(a) Shall organize and preside over the regular scheduled meetings of the organization.

(b) Shall prepare and distribute an agenda at each monthly meeting.

(c) Shall compose and forward any mailings home to parents.

(d) Shall authorize the opening of all bank accounts and oversee all financial matters and contract signing.

(e)Shall represent the organization in all official matters and dealings with outside parties. However, the President cannot enter into any building agreements for the organization without a majority vote of its membership.

5.2 Vice President

(a) Shall assist the President and report to the membership.

(b) Shall assume the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence.

(c) Shall be responsible for obtaining committee reports for inclusion in the BEPO files.

5.3 Secretary

(a) Shall record the minutes of all the PTO monthly meetings.

(b) Shall deliver the monthly minutes to the President in a timely manner prior to the next meeting.

(c) Shall prepare and distribute the previous month’s minutes at the current monthly meeting.

(d) Shall be responsible for maintaining all correspondence.

(e) Shall notify and make available to all members a copy of any proposed changes to the bylaws.

5.4 Treasurer

(a) Shall be the custodial of all funds of the organization.

(b) Shall keep all funds in a financial institution in the name of BEPO, Inc. subject to withdrawal by check.

(c) Shall disperse funds in accordance with the BEPO bylaws.

(d) Shall keep ledgers correct and up-to-date and available for audits and public viewing.

(e) Shall prepare and distribute a Treasurer’s Report at each meeting

Article 6. Elections

6.1 At the regular monthly meeting in April, nominations for candidates will be made known to the President.

6.2 At the regular monthly meeting in May, a list of nominations will be accepted from the floor.

6.3 Elections shall take place at the regular monthly meeting in May.

Article 7. Vacancies

7.1 If for any reason the President is unable to continue his/her duties, the Vice President will assume the duties of the President. If the Vice President declines, a nominating committee shall be responsible to make a motion to elect a new President from a list of nominees.

7.2 In the event of a vacancy in any other office, a nominating committee shall be responsible to make a motion to elect another person from a list of nominees.

7.3 An officer must submit his/her resignation in writing to the Secretary or President.

Article 8. Committees

8.1 Committees shall be formed on an as needed basis.

8.2 Each committee shall have a chairperson as appointed by the President.

8.3 Committees shall meet at the discretion of the chairperson.

8.4 The committee chairperson will submit all projects and proposals to the membership for approval prior to carrying out any action. If approval is needed prior to the next subsequent general meeting, the approval of the majority of officers will suffice.

8.5 Each chairperson is required to complete and update an information folder for their project or event. The folder should contain copies of all instructions, plans, correspondence, flyers, reports, lists and expenses. The project folders shall be given to the BEPO Vice President for filing.

Article 9. Meetings

9.1 The regular scheduled monthly meetings will be held on the first Monday of each month, beginning at 7:15PM at the A. F. Maloney Elementary School cafeteria. These meetings will be held from September through and including May.

9.2 A quorum consists of eight members and is required for voting on items.

9.3 Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern any matter not covered by these bylaws.

Article 10. Amendments

10.1 These bylaws may be amended as conditions arise by a majority vote of the members present. Suggested changes should be submitted at the prior meeting to the President and Secretary before being acted upon. The Secretary shall notify and make a copy of the proposed changes available to all members.

Bylaws 4-1-05