Rio International School (RIS)

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Bylaws

                   February 27, 2010

Article I           

NAME

Rio International School PTA or Parent Teacher Association is a non-commercial, non-partisan, non-profit, Christian organization developed to complement RIS, its’ students, parents and teachers.

Article II           

ORGANIZATION

The RIS PTA is governed by the following bylaws. It is comprised of parents, teachers, students and RIS staff.

Article III

PURPOSES

-       Promote the mutual interests of parents and teachers in school activities

-       Create a channel of communication between parents and the school

-       Assist the school in improving physical resources and educational material

-       Generate funds to promote the objectives of the PTA

Article IV

BASIC POLICIES

-       Work with RIS to provide quality education realizing that RIS and NICS (Network of International Christian Schools) have the authority to establish school policy.

-       Promote health and welfare of the RIS children by promoting collaboration amongst parents, students and teachers.

-       No part of the PTA basic net earnings shall benefit any individual except that which is to be paid for services rendered.

-       The PTA organization shall not use or distribute any personal information of its’ parents or teachers without permission.

-       Voting: All board members shall be elected by a quorum vote of parents within the final quarter of the school year and anytime that a board member leaves the board. All PTA policy changes and amendments must be voted upon with a quorum vote rule to establish policy changes. Quorum vote meaning 1/3 of total parents/teachers counting absentee votes as well.

-       All minutes are to be made public or available electronically at RIS school website.

-       Copies of the bylaws and rules must be made available for all parents whether electronically or in printed form.

Article V

PARENTS/DUES

-       Every RIS parent is automatically a RIS PTA member when PTA fee is paid upon annual enrollment.

-       RIS staff is eligible for membership at the discretion of the school.

-       PTA shall conduct enrollment at the time of entrance to school and consequently for each school year thereafter, that the student attends RIS.

-       Annual fees are payable in one installment at the beginning of the school year. Fees will be halved for families entering the school in January or mid-year.

-       Each family shall pay set fees depending on number of children at RIS.

-       Teachers and students are exempt from paying said fees.

-       Annual fees shall be set by a 1/3 quorum vote of all members.

-       Annual fees shall be set in May/June for the following school year to begin in August/September.

Article VI

OFFICERS & THEIR ELECTION

-       Each officer shall be a parent of a RIS student who will actively participate in the PTA.

-       The following officers shall be elected to RIS PTA: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Communications Director and Treasurer.

-       Officers shall serve a term of 1 school year.

-       Officers shall be nominated separately (in a separate meeting) from the annual election.

-       A vacancy shall be refilled as needed with another parent who will be elected by a 1/3 quorum vote of RIS parents. This is to fill the position only until the next annual election.

-       Only persons who have signified their consent to serve shall be nominated for an office.

-       By a majority vote of the executive board, an officer shall be removed from office for failure to perform duties, criminal misconduct or unethical or immoral behavior.

Article VII

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

President

–       Shall call and preside at all the meetings of the PTA

-       Appoint, with the approval of the Executive Board, chairpersons of committees

-       Sign all disbursement vouchers jointly with the Treasurer or Secretary

-       Direct the execution of all projects undertaken by the PTA

-       Be the official representative for the PTA for the elected period

-       Serve on the Executive Board

Vice President

–       Shall perform duties of the President in the absence of that officer

-       Act as aide to the President

-       Fulfill obligations delegated by the president

-       Serve on the Executive Board

Secretary

–       Shall take, read and post the minutes of all PTA meetings

-       Maintain the archives of the association

-       Call to order any PTA meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President

-       Prepare correspondence of the PTA under the direction of the President

-       Schedule monthly meetings

-       Serve on the Executive Board

Treasurer

–       Receive and record all PTA funds keeping accurate records of transactions

-       Prepare an annual budget with input from the Executive Board during the first quarter of the school year

-       Hold all banking documents and keys

-       Prepare and present end of the year or annual report in June

-       Submit a monthly report to PTA during meetings

-       Serve on the Executive Board

Communications Director

-       Shall be responsible for the upkeep of parent information (phone #’s, email addresses, etc.)

-       Update information on the website

-       Work with committee heads to insure that communication to RIS and parents happens in a timely manner

-       Publish any advertisements, mail-outs and/or flyers on behalf of the PTA

-       Assume the duties of Secretary in their absence

-       Serve on the Executive Board

Article VIII

MEETINGS

-       Regular meetings of the association shall be held monthly, on days to be established by the PTA at the first meeting of the school year.

-       The last quarter of the year, the Executive Board shall accept nominations for officer candidates.

-       All officers shall be elected during the last quarter of the school year (June) for the term to follow the next school year (August/Sept.)

-       Any Executive Board member providing at least one-week notice can call special meetings of the PTA.

-       All minutes of the monthly meeting shall be made available to parents either electronically or on the school website.

-       Any parent, teacher or student may provide input for the monthly meeting agenda.

Article IX                                                   

EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of Officers of the PTA and RIS’ Principal or a school representative appointed by him or her.

Duties of the Executive Board are:

- Present a report or verbally report at monthly meetings

- Create special committees and approve appointments

- Fill vacancies of PTA Committee Chairmen

- Prepare an annual budget for approval and adoption of the PTA

- Approve routine bills within the limits of the budget.