Bylaws

Article One

Name

In accordance with the Articles of Association, the name of the Organization and the name by which it will be known and will conduct its business and affairs will be the Prestonwood Montessori Parents' Organization (the "Organization"), and such other names complying with applicable law as the Members may determine. 

Article Two

Purpose

The Organization is formed and organized for the Purposes set forth in the Articles of Association.

Article Three

Members

Section 1. The Initial Members of the Organization are the signatories to the Articles of Association.

Section 2. Any parent or guardian of a student of Prestonwood Montessori at E.D. Walker (the "School" or "Prestonwood Montessori"), or any staff member of the School may be a member and will have voting rights.

Section 3. To become a member, each individual will be required to pay dues (the "Dues"). The amount of the Dues will be established by the Executive Board. If dues are charged, a member must have paid their Dues at least three (3) calendar days before the meeting to be considered a member in good standing with voting rights.

Article Four

Officers and Elections

Section 1: Officers. The Officers, which are referred to collectively as the Executive Board, will be the following:

1. The President will preside over meetings of the Organization and the Executive Board, will serve as the primary contact for the School principal, will represent the Organization at meetings outside of the Organization, and will coordinate the work of the Officers and Committees so that the Purpose of the Organization is served. Any vice president may stand in for the President during a meeting if the President is unavailable.  The President shall be limited to two[2] consecutive years of service.
2. Vice President - Fundraising. The Vice President of Fundraising will be responsible for directing and overseeing all fundraising activities of the Organization.
3. Vice President - Outreach & Inclusion. The Vice President of Outreach & Inclusion will be responsible for membership and recruitment, with the goal of inclusion of all members of the School community.
4. Vice President - Committees. The Vice President of Committees will be responsible for the development and oversight of committees and chairs, as designated by the Executive Board.
5. Vice President - Communications. The Vice President of Communications will be responsible for communicating to the membership about all activities, events, and meetings through various channels, including the Organization's website, email, and social media. The Vice President of Communications will make a reasonable effort to distribute communications to membership in both English and Spanish.
6. Dad's Club President. The Dad's Club President will be responsible for the development, direction, and oversight of the Dad's Club as a key group within the Organization. The Dad's Club President will manage and direct the fundraising and social activities for the Dad's Club and will work closely with the Vice President of Fundraising to align the Dad's Club and Organization goals.
7. The immediate past President will serve as the Parliamentarian for the subsequent year. The Parliamentarian will have knowledge of the Organization's rules and assist in the continuity of the Organization's goals and activities. This is a non-voting position. If the immediate past President is unable or unwilling to serve as Parliamentarian, the vacancy will be filled pursuant to Section 5, below.
8. PTA Liaison. The PTA Liaison will facilitate communication with the PTA for E.D. Walker (the "PTA"); assist with alignment between the PTA and the Organization on key strategic initiatives; ensure awareness of both priorities throughout the groups; and represent the Organization at PTA meetings.
9. The Recordkeeper will keep all records of the Organization, take and record Meeting minutes, prepare the agenda for each Meeting, handle correspondence on behalf of the Organization, and send notices of Meetings to Members within five (5) calendar days of each meeting.
10. The Treasurer will receive and manage all funds of the Organization, keep accurate records of receipts and expenditures, and pay out funds in accordance with the approval of the Executive Board. The Treasurer will present a financial statement to the Members at scheduled Meetings upon the request of the President.
11. School Principal. The School Principal will facilitate communications and activities between the Organization and the School. This is a non-elected, non-voting position on the Executive Board.

Section 2: Nominations & Elections. Elections for Officer positions for each fiscal year will be held at the April Meeting of the preceding year. Candidates for Officer positions should be nominated at the first regular meeting prior to the April Meeting. The Recordkeeper will record the names of the nominees for the April election. Voting will be by voice vote, ballot vote, or alternative method, as approved by the Executive Board. A majority vote of members present is required in order for a candidate to be elected to the position.

In the case of a tie, the nominated persons shall be offered any other non-consented role.  If they decline, there will be a secondary role.  In the case of a second tie, the current executive board will anonymously vote until the position is filled.

Section 3: Eligibility. A member is eligible for an Officer position if they are the parent or guardian of a child who is a student at the School, or if they are a staff member of the School.

Section 4: Terms. Officers are elected for one year. Each person elected will hold only one Officer position within the Organization at a time.

Section 5: Vacancies. If there is a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President of Outreach and Inclusion will become the President. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, a new Vice President of Outreach and Inclusion will be elected. If there is a vacancy in any other office, the vacancy will be filled through an election at the next regular meeting.

Section 6: Removal from office. Elected Officers may be removed from office with cause by a two-thirds vote of those present at a regular or special meeting. Notice for the proposed action must be distributed to the membership at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the vote. "With cause" is defined as violating the Organization's standards or acting in a manner that does not serve the best interests of the Organization.

Article Five

Membership Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meetings. The Organization must hold at least four Regular Meetings during the academic year, at a time and place determined by the Executive Board. The meetings may be held in-person, virtually, or a combination of both. Members must be given at least fourteen (14) days' notice of the date, time, and location of the Regular Meeting.

Section 2: Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President or any three (3) Officers. Members must be given at least three (3) days' notice of the date, time, location, and purpose of the special meeting.

Section 3: Quorum. Seven (7) elected Officers, or ten (10) members, constitutes a quorum.

Article Six

Executive Board

Section 1: Membership. The Executive Board will consist of the elected Officers.

Section 2: Authority & Duties. The Executive Board has authority to conduct day-to-day affairs and operations of the Organization without a vote of the membership at large. The duties of the Executive Board will be to transact business between meetings; creating standing rules and policies; create temporary committees; prepare and submit a budget to the membership; approve routine bills; and prepare reports and recommendations to the membership.

Section 3: Executive Board Meetings. Regular Executive Board Meetings will be held in accordance with Article Five. Special Executive Board Meetings may be called by any two Executive Board members, with at least 24 hours' notice.

Section 4: Quorum. Five (5) elected Officers constitutes a quorum.

Section 5. All members of the Executive Board must read the "Conflicts of Interest Policy" consistent with the guidelines of Dallas ISD and must agree to abide by the policy prior to taking their position. All members of the Executive Board must also read and abide by the Organization's 501(c)(3) application which sets forth the conflicts information that may lead to disqualification of tax-exempt status.

Article Seven

Committees

Section 1: Membership. Committees may consist of members and Board members, and will be led by at least one Committee Chair ("Committee Chair"). Committee Chairs will be elected in accordance with Article Four, Section 2. If a committee is added after the April meeting, the chair for that committee may be elected at the next regular or special meeting. Committee Chairs are elected for one year.

Section 2: Committees. The Executive Board may create and appoint committees as needed.

Article Eight

Finances

Section 1. A tentative budget for each fiscal year will be drafted by the Officers and presented for approval by the membership at the first meeting of each fiscal year. 

Section 2. The Treasurer will keep accurate records of any disbursements, income, and bank account information.

Section 3. Expenses of the Organization that are not a part of the approved budget will be approved by the Executive Board if the expenses are reasonable and incurred in the ordinary course or otherwise incurred in connection with activities undertaken with authority of the Executive Board. 

Section 4. Authorized signers on all accounts will be comprised of at least two elected Officers. For oversight purposes, all accounts will be maintained at banks that allow online inquiry account access. All disbursements of funds require the written approval of two Officers.

Section 5. The Treasurer will prepare a financial statement at the beginning and end of each fiscal year, to be reviewed by the Executive Board and presented to membership. 

Section 6. Subject to IRS approval of 501(c)(3) status, the applicable tax filings will be submitted by the Treasurer following approval by the Executive Board each fiscal year.

Section 7. Upon the dissolution of the Organization, any remaining funds must be used to pay any outstanding bills and, with the membership's approval, spent for the benefit of the school, or distributed otherwise in accordance with the Articles of Association. 

Section 8. The fiscal year will end on June 30.

Article Nine

Parliamentary Authority

The President will govern meetings in a manner that does not conflict with the Organization's Bylaws. 

Article Ten

Standing Rules

Standing Rules may be approved by the Executive Board, and the Recordkeeper will keep a record of the standing rules for future reference.

Article Eleven

Dissolution

The Organization may be dissolved at a meeting with previous notice of at least fourteen (14) calendar days, and a two-thirds vote of those present at the meeting, assuming a quorum. Dissolution must be carried out in accordance with Article Five of the Articles of Association. 

Article Twelve

Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting, provided that the proposed change was read at the prior regular or special meeting and then sent to all members of the Organization by the Recordkeeper prior to the vote. Notice may be given in a manner reasonably calculated to reach the membership, including, but not limited to, e-mail, text, or publication on the Organization's website. Amendments will be approved by a two-thirds vote of those present, assuming a quorum.