How to Create PTO Bylaws
Congratulations on your decision to form a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). One of the most important tasks you will be charged with is the creation of a set of rules by which the new organization will govern itself. This document must be completed with care, because a well-crafted set of rules that all participants respect will be essential to the success of the PTO.
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Instructions
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How to Create Bylaws for a Parent Teacher Organization
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Do not to try to reinvent the wheel. There is no need to start the bylaw-development process from scratch. Examples of free boilerplate PTO bylaws are available on the Internet and can be found with a simple search. These bylaws should contain proposed language for all of the essential functions of the PTO, such as guidelines for membership, composition of the executive board, duties and terms of officers, meeting requirements, voting privileges, governance of finances, nominations and elections and a method for amending the bylaws in the future.
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Tailor the boilerplate bylaws to meet the needs of your individual organization. Give thoughtful consideration to the circumstances and challenges faced by your PTO. For instance, if you have a small organization it may not be wise to create an executive board with a large number of officers. Smaller PTOs may wish to combine complementary roles, such as the offices of secretary and treasurer, into a single office. Larger organization may consider expanding the number of officers in order to achieve buy-in and to distribute workload among the members.
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Insert a well-written statement of purpose into the preamble of the bylaws. This provides your organization with a sense of focus.
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Achieve a consensus from parents and teachers prior to adopting a rule or set of rules. Winning approval for the bylaws by only a small majority of the founding members could lead to long-term dissatisfaction within the organization. By working with all participants and creating a strong consensus, you will lend a strong sense of credibility to your founding document.
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If finances allow, it is wise to retain an attorney to review the proposed bylaws and suggest any changes that may be necessary to comply laws in your state. If your draft document is well constructed, this process should be relatively painless and without significant expense.
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