PTO Bylaws

ARTICLE VI – Duties of Executive Officers

  • President/Co-Presidents: Lead PTO, attend meetings, serve ex-officio on committees.

  • Vice President: Acts in President’s absence, attends Site Planning, handles PR.

  • Secretary: Notifies members of meetings, takes minutes, manages correspondence, maintains website and directory.

  • Treasurer: Manages finances, prepares reports, signs financial documents, files taxes, conducts audits, oversees fund handling.

  • Past President: May serve as an advisor.

  • Staff Rep: Liaison between staff and PTO.

  • Fundraising Chair: Leads fundraising activities and committees.

  • Event Coordinator: Supports event chairs.

  • Volunteer Coordinator: Leads volunteer committees.

  • District Liaison: Attends District PLUSS meetings and reports back.

  • Auction Chair: Leads Auction Committee.

  • Student Council Rep: Attends and reports on Student Council meetings.

ARTICLE VII – Membership

  • All parents/guardians of enrolled students are members.

  • By-laws are available to all.

  • Members may vote and hold office.

ARTICLE VIII – Committees

  • Committees are formed as needed by the Executive Board.

  • Chairs are selected from the committee.

  • Term is typically one year.

  • At least one officer must participate.

ARTICLE IX – Meetings and Voting

  • Regular meetings scheduled by the Executive Board (published by September).

  • Nominating Committee selected in March; elections held in May.

  • Majority vote decides elections and business.

  • Proxy voting is allowed (must be submitted in advance).

  • Membership vote required for:

    • Expenditures over $500

    • Election of Officers

    • By-Law Amendments

    • Annual Budget Approval

ARTICLE X – Financial Activities

  • Treasurer duties outlined in Article VI, Section 4.

  • Fundraising activities may include events, donations, and family programming.

  • Funds must be tracked, reported, and handled with dual verification.

  • No PTO funds may be used for gift cards for staff, students, or board members.

  • Annual audit by three non-officers (including the incoming Treasurer).

  • Purchases over $1,000 require written contracts.

ARTICLE XI – Amendments

By-laws may be amended by majority vote at a regular meeting, with prior public notice.

BY-LAWS OF TOTEM FALLS ELEMENTARY PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION

Amended: 2001, 2009, 2011, 2012

ARTICLE I – Location

The Organization’s mailing address is:
Totem Falls Elementary
14211 Snohomish Cascade Dr. SE
Snohomish, WA 98296

ARTICLE II – Objectives

  1. To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, and community.

  2. To encourage a cooperative effort between home and school for training and educating the child.

  3. To promote communication among parents, friends, and Totem Falls Elementary administration and staff.

ARTICLE III – Powers and Purposes

  1. Powers of the PTO are vested in the Executive Board (3–12 members).

  2. Officers are elected at the General Meeting in May.

  3. Vacant officer roles are filled by majority vote of the Executive Board.

  4. Officers can be removed by a two-thirds vote, with 15 days’ written notice and stated cause.

ARTICLE IV – Powers and Duties of the Executive Board

  • Full authority over PTO operations, finances, and personnel.

  • May create additional officer or committee roles.

  • Unpaid positions unless otherwise amended.

  • Maintains property inventory (updated annually).

  • Can approve emergency spending up to $500; larger expenses require membership vote.

  • Holds annual meeting in July/August; regular and special meetings as needed.

  • Quorum is a majority of Executive Board members.

ARTICLE V – Officers

Officers include:

President or Co-Presidents, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Staff Representative, Fundraising Chair, Event Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Auction Chair, Student Council Representative, District Liaison.

The school Principal serves as an ex-officio member.

  • Elected in May for a 1-year term (July–June).

  • May serve a second consecutive term.

  • President(s) should be elected from the existing Executive Board if possible.