By-Laws Of
Lakeland Senior High School Parent Teacher Partnership (PTP) Formerly Known as
Teens - Educators - Moms - Pops Organization (TEMPO)
of Lakeland Senior High School 1970-71
Revised 1980 - 1981
Revised October 28, 1992
Revised September 9, 2013
Revised February 14, 2023
Article I - Name
The name of this organization is Lakeland Senior High School Parent Teacher Partnership (PTP). It was formerly known as the Teens - Educators - Moms - Pops Organization (TEMPO) of Lakeland Senior High School.
Article II - Purpose/Objectives
Section 1. The purpose/objective of the organization PTP is a charitable and educational purpose not-for-profit school community organization that provides parent-to-parent support to families assists with school initiatives, and enriches the school experience for all our children. Our organization's priority is to provide communication between teachers, parents, and children to benefit our entire school family and community. Together we build relationships and encourage communication with parents, teachers, and the school. We provide an opportunity and resource for parents to communicate concerns, voice valuable ideas, and bring talents to the table while communicating in a personal parent-to-parent forum. Additionally, we plan events, organize activities, and offer various levels of volunteering to support our initiatives. Together as a community, we can make a difference.
Section 2. The purpose/objectives of this organization are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in Article III.
Article III - Basic Policies
The following are the basic policies of this organization:
Section 1. In accordance with the text prescribed by the Department of Treasury to meet the requirements of section 501(c)3 of the Code.
a. The purposes for which the LHS PTP 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.
b. 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.
c. Upon dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes with the meaning of section 501( c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Article IV – Members
Section 1. Any parent, guardian, or other adult standing in loco parentis for a student at the school may be a member and shall have voting rights. The Principal, administration, and any teacher employed at the school may be a member and have voting rights. Any student enrolled at the school may be a member and have voting rights. Any community member with an interest in the betterment of our organization may be a member and have voting rights.
Section 2. Dues will be established by the executive board. A member must have paid his or her dues at least 14 calendar days before a meeting to be considered a member in good standing with voting rights.
Article V - Officers and Elections
Section 1. Officers. The officers shall be a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and Anchors Away coordinator. This group shall be named the Executive Board.
a. President. The president shall preside over all meetings of the organization and the executive board and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee, and coordinate the work of all the officers and committees so that the purpose of the organization is served.
b. Vice President. The vice president shall assist the president and carry out the president's duties in his/her absence or inability to serve.
c. Secretary. The secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings the organization, the Executive Board and the Board of Directors, shall conduct the correspondence of the organization and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him/her.
d. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive all funds of the organization, keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, payout funds in accordance with the approval of the Executive Board, prepare and send tax letters for donations, and prepare and submit tax returns in accordance with Federal Tax Laws. He/she will present a financial statement at every meeting and at other times of the year when requested by the executive board and make a full report at the end of the year. The treasurer's accounts shall be examined annually by an auditor or auditing committee of not less than three members who shall report to the annual meeting.
e. Anchors Away Coordinator. The Anchors Away coordinator shall plan and execute the Anchors Away festivities, keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, keep an accurate record of donations, and report such to the Treasurer in a timely manner.
Section 2. Nominations and Elections
a. There shall be a nomination committee composed of three members, two of whom shall be selected from the Board of Directors and one of whom shall be selected from the membership at large. The Principal or his/her representative shall serve as an ex-officio member of the nominating committee.
b. The nominating committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors at least one month prior to the election of officers.
c. Following the report of the nomination committee, an opportunity shall be given for nominating from the floor.
d. Only those who have consented to serve if elected shall be eligible to nomination, either by the committee or from the floor.
e. At the election meeting, voting shall be by voice vote if a slate is presented. If more than one person is running for an office, a ballot vote shall be taken.
Section 3. Eligibility. Members are eligible for office if they are members in good standing at least 14 calendar days before the nominating committee presents its slate.
Section 4. Terms of Office. Officers are elected for one year beginning August 1 and ending July 31 of the following year, and may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office. Each person elected shall hold only one office at a time.
Section 5. Vacancies. If there is a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President will become the President. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, a new Vice President will be elected. If there is a vacancy in another office, the President may appoint an interim officer to serve. With prior notice of the vacancy, members will fill the vacancy through an election at the next regular meeting.
Section 6. Removal from office. Officers can be removed from office with or without cause by a two-thirds vote of those present (assuming a quorum) at a regular meeting where previous notice has been given.
Article VI - Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least four (4) times a year unless otherwise provided by the organization of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be the last meeting of the school year at which time, annual reports shall be received and the officers shall be installed.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President any two (2) members of the executive board, or five (5) general members submitting a written request to the Secretary. Previous notice of the special meeting shall be sent to the members at least six (6) days prior to the meeting by mail, email and/or phone call.
Section 4. Quorum. The quorum shall be six (6) members of the organization.
Section 5. Sunshine laws. The meetings of this organization shall be open to the general public, but the privilege of holding office, introducing motions, debating, and voting shall be limited to the members of the organization in good standing. To speak or present one must be on the President's agenda by notifying the current President of your intention to present at least 14. days prior to the meeting date.
Article VII - Board of Directors
Section 1. Membership. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Board, principal of the school (or his/her representative) and standing committee chairs.
Section 2. Duties. The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to transact business between meetings, create standing rules and policies, create standing and temporary committees, approve plans of work of the standing committees, present a report at the regular meetings of the organization, appoint an auditor or auditing committee at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting to audit the Treasurers accounts as well as prepare and submit a budget to the membership for approval, to approve projects within the limits of the budget.
Section 3. Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held monthly on the same day and at the same time each month, to be determined by the board. Special meetings may be called by any two (2) board members with 24 hours notice.
Section 4. Quorum. Half the number of board members plus one (or six members plus one, whichever is greater) constitutes a quorum.
Article VIII - Standing and Special Committees
Section 1. Membership. Committees may consist of members and board members, with the President acting as an ex officio member of all committees.
Section 2. Standing Committees. Such committees shall be created by the Board of Directors as deemed necessary to promote the objectives and carry on the work of the organization. The chairpersons of the standing committees shall be selected by the President and the nominating committee.
Section 3. Duties. The chairpersons of each standing committee shall present a plan of work to the Board of Directors for approval. No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the President of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Special Committees. The power to form special committees and appoint their members rests with the Executive Committee and the approval of the Board of Directors. Since the special committee is created and appointed for a specific purpose, it automatically goes out of existence when its work is done and a final report is given.
Article IX - Fiscal Policies
Section 1. A tentative budget shall be drafted at the beginning of each school year and approved by a majority vote of the members present.
Section 2. The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of any disbursements, income, and bank account information.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall approve any expenses not provided in the regular annual budget. Such expenses must be presented at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors at least 14 days prior to voting. Upon said moved expense, the required for passage of the motion shall be 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors present and voting.
Section 4. Two (2) authorized signatures shall be required on each check written on the organization's account. Authorized signers shall be the President, Treasurer, and Vice President.
Section 5. No reimbursement shall be made to any unauthorized agent and a valid receipt must accompany all reimbursements. Reimbursement requests must be turned in to the Treasurer in a timely manner.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall prepare a financial statement at the end of the year to be reviewed by the audit committee.
Section 7. The authority to sign contracts is limited to the President or the President's designee.
Section 8. Upon the dissolution of the organization, any remaining funds should be used to pay any outstanding bills and with the membership's approval, spent for the benefit of the school.
Section 9. The fiscal year for LHS PTP shall begin August 1 and end the following July 31.
Article X - Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-laws.
Article XI - Standing Rules
Standing rules may be approved by the Board of Directors and the Secretary shall keep a record of the standing rules for future reference.
Article XII - Dissolution
The organization may be dissolved with previous notice (14 calendar days) and a 2/3 vote of those present at the meeting.
Article XIII - Amendments and By-Laws
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting provided previous notice was given in writing and then sent to all members of the organization by the Secretary. Notice may be given by mail or email.
Amendments will be approved by a 2/3 vote of those present, assuming a quorum. By-laws will be updated every five (5) years by a committee appointed by the Executive Board. The requirements for adoption of a revised set of by-laws shall be the same as in the case of an amendment.
These by-laws were adopted on 2/14/2023.