NAME
This organization shall be known as the Lakeside Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this organization are:

• to strengthen partnerships between parents and educators.
• to build a sense of community and promote school pride.
• to enhance communication between teachers, parents, and students.
• to support Lakeside children’s academic achievements.

EXPECTATIONS
Lakeside PTO shall be non-profit, non-commercial, non-sectarian and non-partisan.
The name of the organization or the names of members in their official capacities shall
not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for
any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the organization.
The organization shall not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any political
campaign on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for public office.
The organization shall cooperate with the school to support the improvement of
education but will not interfere with the school staff and their policies.
The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with
child development, but persons representing the organization in such matters shall make no
commitments that bind the organization without prior approval of the Officers.
MEMBERSHIP
All teachers, parents, or guardians of students at Lakeside Elementary School are
considered members of this organization and are eligible to hold office.
No officers, members, or volunteers will give themselves any type of discount or take
items for free, unless it is approved by the officers in advance of the event.
No member shall grant themselves a gift on behalf of PTO. This includes gift cards,
donated items, and use of the organization’s tax exemption status for personal use.
Any items, prizes, candy, food, etc. remaining after any PTO event will be the property
of the Lakeside PTO. Remaining perishable items may be disbursed, by present volunteers, as
deemed appropriate. Consideration of other non-profit organizations will take precedence in
distributing remaining perishables. No officer, committee chair, or volunteer will disperse any
non-perishable property of the PTO to other individuals, or keep non-perishable PTO property
for themselves. The PTO officers and/or committee chair will decide how any remaining nonperishable,
tangible items will be dispersed after each event.
OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
The elected officers of this organization are President (this position can be shared as a
co-presidency,) Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers will be elected at a
general meeting in April to jointly serve with the existing officers for the remainder of the school
year. Those officers will share responsibilities upon election and acceptance. Open nomination
for officers can be made to a PTO representative and/or a current member of the Lakeside
teaching staff. The consent of each candidate must be obtained before his or her name is
placed in nomination. Additional nominations may be made from the floor, provided consent of
the nominee has been obtained.
Each officer elected will serve a 2 year term. No person shall serve more than two full
consecutive terms regardless of position. After two consecutive terms as an officer, the
outgoing officer must be a member-at-large for at least one year.
Positions of President and Treasurer will be elected in the odd year. Positions of Vice
President and Secretary will be elected in the even year. Elections of officers will alternate to
ensure continuity of PTO programs.
Election Provision: If a current officer cannot complete their term, election at the next
general meeting will be held upon the notification of the open position. Election will be held in
accordance with election by-laws.
OFFICER DUTIES
President: The President will preside at all organizational meetings and will perform all
other duties pertaining to this office.
Vice President: The Vice President will act as an aid to the President and will perform
the duties in the absence of that officer.
Secretary: The Secretary will keep a correct record of all meetings of the organization.
The Secretary will write notices and review notices submitted by committee chairpersons.
Treasurer: The Treasurer will receive all money of the organization, will keep an
accurate record of receipts and expenditures, and will pay expenses as authorized by the
Officers. The Treasurer’s accounts will be open to review at any general meeting.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Purchases cannot be made without the majority decision of the PTO Officers. Checks
cannot be written without two unrelated signatures from those designated on the bank
signature card.
At the end of an event where monies have been collected, a cash control slip will be
filled out by two members. The members can not be related. Both members should count the
money, sign, and date the slip.
PTO Officers may make purchases for the amount of $400 or under without prior
approval of the members.
Any amount exceeding $400 will be brought for approval to the members before
purchase is made.
No payee on any check can be the same as the signer or related to the signer.
Lakeside PTO will carry over at least a balance of $500 to begin the next school year.
A letter will be written to the payee of checks that are written to the Lakeside PTO and
returned for insufficient funds. The letter will contain a copy of the check, a request for the
written amount and the indicated fees PTO assesses for returned checks. The check will be
returned to the payee upon receipt of cash, money order, or certified check.
PTO shall maintain and present a detailed financial report which shall be incorporated
into each PTO meeting.
Our fundraising activities will support the stated objectives.
MEETINGS
There will not be less than two general meetings within a school year. Officer meetings
must have a quorum of three officers. Minutes must be taken at all meetings.
Officer meetings will be held at the current officers’ discretion.
Committees will be created as they are needed based on the need of that said school
year.
BY-LAWS
A review of the By-Laws will be included during a minimum of two meetings during the
school year.
These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by two
thirds vote of the members present.