ByLaws

Mission Statement:

Partners in Education is an organization whose purpose is to enhance and strengthen the educational and social environment for the Jericho Elementary School students.

Name:

The name and location of this organization shall be Partners in Education, Jericho Elementary School, 90 VT Route 15 Jericho, and VT 05465.

Mission Statement:

Partners in Education is an organization whose purpose is to enhance and strengthen the educational and social environment for the Jericho Elementary School students.

Partners in Education’s goals are to:

Complement the school’s curriculum with additional opportunities for students, staff and families to learn, socialize, communicate and grow.

To work towards supporting local and or socially responsible companies in our fundraising efforts.

Article I: Policies

1. All funds earned through Partners in Education shall be used to enrich, support, and promote educational projects, activities, and materials for Jericho Elementary School students, and does not include after school activities.

2. All requests for funds will be decided on the following criteria:

· Number of students who will benefit.

· How request relates to mission statement.

3. All requests for funds must be in writing using the Partners in Education “Request for Funds’” form. The form can be found in the staff room in the Partners in Education box. Requests are considered for approval at the monthly Partners in Education meetings.

4. Any general member or officer that is part of a group requesting funds must abstain from any votes pertaining to that request.

5. Any activity taking place during school hours must adhere to CESU policy.

Article II: Membership

1. Parents and legal guardians of students enrolled at Jericho Elementary School and JES faculty and staff may be general members and officers.

2. All general members shall have one equal vote.

3. No member or officer shall be compensated for their services.

Article III: Officers

1. Officers of Partners in Education shall be one (1) President, one (1) Vice-President, one (1) Secretary and one (1) Treasurer.

2. Officers must qualify as general members.

3. Officers may serve no more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same position unless no eligible volunteer comes forward.

4. Officer’s terms will begin on June 1 and run through May 31.

Article IV: Election of Officers

1. A slate of officers will be announced at the April meeting.

2. Vote in any new officers at the May meeting.

3. Any officer vacancies during the school year will be filled by the first eligible volunteer.

Article V: Duties of Officers

All Officers

1. Shall attend all regular Partners in Education meetings.

2. Shall deliver to his/her successor all official Partners in Education materials by June.

Advisor

1. The principal of the Jericho Elementary School will serve as an advisor.

President

1. Shall preside over all regular Partners in Education meetings.

2. Shall serve as the primary contact of Partners in Education.

3. Shall serve as a liaison to the principal.

4. Shall serve as an authorized signatory on all Partners in Education accounts.

5. Shall review all materials printed for and by Partners in Education with the exception of the community notices subject to principal approval.

6. Shall over see all committees.

7. Shall only vote in the case of a tie.

8. Shall keep and update the history and by-laws of Partners in Education.

9. Shall sign all checks, money orders, or withdrawals for the payment of monies on behalf of Partners in Education.

Vice-President

1. Shall take over the President’s responsibilities in the event that the President cannot attend a meeting.

2. Shall take over the responsibilities of the Treasurer or Secretary, should that office be vacant, until a replacement is found.

3. Shall maintain the Partners in Education webpage.

Secretary

1. Shall record the minutes of all regular Partners in Education meetings including a reflection of the voting.

2. Shall present copies of the minutes to the Officers.

3. Shall present previous minutes prior to the meeting for approval.

4. Shall post a copy of the approved minutes.

Treasurer

1. Shall maintain all Partners in Education accounts.

2. Shall serve as an authorized signatory on all Partners in Education accounts.

3. Shall present an oral as well as written monthly financial statement at all regular Partners in Education meetings.

4. Shall provide a written annual financial report to the Officers at the end of the fiscal year. (May 31)

5. Shall reconcile the original receipts for pre-approved funds.

6. Shall sign all checks, money orders, or withdrawals for the payment of monies on behalf of Partners in Education.

7. Treasurer shall deposit all funds collected by Partners in Education’s bank account with in three (3) business days.

Article VI: Meetings

1. Meetings will convene one time per month and will not exceed 2 hours.

2. If the regular meeting date falls on a date when school is not in session for a full day, the regular meeting will be held the following week, at the regular time and place.

3. If both the President and Vice-President are unable to attend a regular Partners in Education meeting, the meeting will be rescheduled.

4. An Officer may call special meetings. All members will be notified.

5. Any Action to be taken requires a majority vote by all members present.

Article VII: Robert’s Rules of Order

1. Robert’s rules of Order for small groups shall govern this organization in all cases where they are applicable and in which they are consistent with these bylaws.

Article VIII: Committees

1. Committees may be formed with the approval of the Officers any time and will be supervised by the President.

2. All committees will have at least one (1) Chair.

3. Committee Chairs are expected to report on their committee at regular P.I.E. meetings. If they are unable to attend the regular Partners in Education meeting, they are expected to provide a written or oral report to the President prior to the meeting.

4. Committees may meet at any time without general notification of day, time and place.

5. All Committee Chairs will be given a copy of the building use guidelines.

6. Guidelines can be found at the end of the bylaws for committee chairs. Appendix #1

Article IX: Finances

1. The Fiscal year of Partners in Education shall commence on June 1 and end on May 31 of the following year.

2. Members of Partners in Education, through a majority vote, may authorize into contracts or agreements for the purchase of materials or services on the behalf of Partners in Education.

3. No loans shall be made by Partners in Education to its Officers or members.

4. At the end of each Partners in Education event, an officer and event chair will count the funds. The two must be in agreement of the total deposit to be made to the Partners in Education account. A financial statement must be filled out and signed by both parties.

5. All bank accounts shall be carried in the name of Partners in Education and shall have exempt ID#26-1536171 (issued 12.04.09)

6. All expenses of Partners in Education shall be voted on and approved by the membership.

7. A detailed description along with a Request for Funds Form must accompany all expenses for prior approval.

8. No reimbursement will be made without prior approval from the membership.

9. The reconciliation of expenses will require the original receipt.

10. The first $2,000.00 profit raised yearly shall be deposited into the Playground Money Market account.

11. A financial statement sheet can be found at the end of the bylaws. Appendix #2

12. A Request for funds sheet can be found at the end of the bylaws. Appendix #3

Article X: Amendments

1. These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of Partners in Education by a majority vote of all attending members.

2. These bylaws will be furnished upon request.

Article XI: Dissolution

1. If a Board of Officers of at least one (1) President and two (2) other Board members is not voted in or on by July 31, the Officers currently serving will liquidate the Partners in Education checking account by paying in full any outstanding commitments and purchasing for the needs of the school, leaving Five hundred dollars ($500.00) to be used as start-up funds for the next board. At this time the Principal of Jericho Elementary School will be added as an authorized signatory on all Partners in Education Accounts and will maintain the accounts until the aforementioned Board is organized. During this time, the Principal will be authorized to use the Playground Money Market Account for the purchase of the new playground equipment and groundcover and maintenance of existing equipment and groundcover. When a Board of at least one (1) President and two (2) other Officers is organized, the Principal will be removed as an authorized signatory on the Partners in Education accounts, and the new President and Treasurer (if one is not in place, Vice President) will be added.

Bylaws created and adopted in September 1997

Revised 2007and adopted 8.29.2007

Revised 2009-2010 and adopted 5.6.2010