ARTICLE I – NAME and PURPOSE

Section 1: NAME - The name of the organization shall be Washington Elementary Parents and Teachers Together (PATT). The PATT is located at Washington Elementary, 506 E. Main St. in Whitewater, WI.

Section 2: PURPOSE - The purpose of the PATT is to enhance and support the educational experience at Washington Elementary, to develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement, and to improve the environment at Washington Elementary through volunteer and financial support.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: MEMBERSHIP - Membership shall be automatically granted to all parents and guardians of Washington Elementary students, plus all staff at Washington Elementary. There are no membership dues. Members have voting privileges, one vote per household.

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS and ELECTIONS

Section 1: EXECUTIVE BOARD - The executive board shall consist of the following officers: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, public relations officer, staff liaison and past president. The school principal, or his/her designee, is also a voting member of the executive board.

Section 2: TERM OF OFFICE - The term of office for all officers, other than the staff liaison and past president, is two years, beginning July 1 and ending June 30. The staff liaison will be appointed by the principal, while the past president shall serve a one-year term immediately following his or her term as president. Officers shall be restricted to no more than two consecutive terms of the same office.

Section 3: NOMINATIONS and ELECTIONS - Elections will be held at the second to last meeting of the school year. The nominating committee – appointed by the president and made up of one officer and two members - shall select a candidate for each office and present the slate at a meeting held one month prior to the election. At that meeting, nominations may also be made from the floor. 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 4: ELIGIBILITY - Any PATT member may be nominated for an officer position, however, the president and vice president cannot be paid staff of the Whitewater Unified School District.

Section 5: DUTIES

Executive Board : Develop the PATT’s annual budget, establish and oversee committees to conduct the work of the PATT, establish fundraising programs, and approve by majority vote of the board unbudgeted expenditures of more than $100.

President: Preside at general PATT meetings and executive board meetings, serve as the official representative of the PATT, and retain all official records of the PATT.

Vice President: Assist the president and carry out the president’s duties in his or her absence or inability to serve.

Secretary: Record and distribute minutes of all executive board meetings and all general PATT meetings and hold historical records for the PATT.

Treasurer: Serve as custodian of the PATT’s finances, collect revenue, pay authorized expenses, follow all financial policies of the PATT, and hold all financial records.

Public Relations Officer: Manage communications and marketing for the PATT, including but not limited to newsletter submissions, e-mail broadcasts, website, bulletin boards, etc.

Staff Liaison: Manage communications between the PATT and Washington staff.

Past President: Serve in an advisory role for one year, with no voting privileges.

Section 6: BOARD MEETINGS - The executive board shall meet monthly during the school year, or at the discretion of the president.

Section 7: REMOVAL - An officer can be removed from office for failure to fulfill his/her duties by a majority vote of the executive board where previous notice has been given.

Section 8: VACANCY - If a vacancy occurs on the executive board, the executive board shall appoint a PATT member to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the officer’s term or the responsibilities shall be split between members of the executive board.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

Section 1: MEETINGS - General PATT meetings shall be held to conduct the business of the PATT. Meetings shall be held monthly during the school year or at the discretion of the executive board.

Section 2: VOTING - Each member in attendance at a PATT meeting is eligible to vote, one vote per household. Absentee and proxy votes are not allowed.

Section 3: QUORUM - Seven (7) PATT members constitute quorum for the purpose of voting.

ARTICLE V: FINANCIAL POLICIES

Section 1: FISCAL YEAR - The fiscal year of the PATT begins July 1 and ends June 30 of the following year.

Section 2: BANKING - All funds shall be kept in a checking account in the name of Washington PATT, requiring two signatures of the executive board and held at a local financial institution. A separate account, such as a CD or money market, can be maintained for earmarked funds at the same financial institution.

Section 3: REPORTING - All financial activity shall be recorded in a computer-based accounting system. The treasurer shall reconcile the account(s) monthly and report all financial activity monthly. The executive board shall arrange for an independent review of the PATT’s financial records each July.

Section 4: ENDING BALANCE - The organization shall leave a minimum of $500 in the checking account at the end of each fiscal year.

Section 5: CONTRACTS - Authority to sign contracts is granted to the members of the executive board, upon a majority vote by the executive board.

ARTICLE VI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern meetings when they are not in conflict with the organization’s bylaws.

ARTICLE VII: DISSOLUTION

The organization may be dissolved with previous notice (30 days) and a two-thirds vote of those present at the meeting. In the event of dissolution, any funds remaining shall be donated to Washington Elementary.

ARTICLE VIII: BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by any PATT member. Amendments presented at a PATT meeting shall be considered for voting at a subsequent meeting. Amendments will be approved by
a two-thirds vote of those present, assuming a quorum.

These bylaws were adopted on 4/13/10.