President Information

The president is elected by the association to lead the unit and to represent its members. The president leads democratically, sharing the leadership role with other officers and chairmen. It is the responsibility of the local PTA/PTSA to work closely with the school administrative staff and to seek and maintain mutual support.

A. Read and familiarize yourself with your BYLAWS. You may need to refer to them often. At this time, check to see how long it has been since they were reviewed. A committee should check bylaws thoroughly for revision or amendment at least every three years.

B. Secure your board members.

• 1. If you wish, or if your bylaws or standing rules call for it, have a meeting with your principal and other officers to get their suggestions for committee people.

• 2. Some schools send out questionnaires asking in what area people might want to help.

• 3. You will probably make most of the calls yourself to get people committed to a board position.

C. Have a board meeting as soon as possible.

• 1. Records and information from previous year's officers and committee chairmen should be given to new officers and chairmen at this meeting.

• 2. It is the duty of the president to remind all committee chairmen to have definite plans of work ready to present at the first board meeting in the fall.

D. Some committees that need to meet and get an early start are: (President should attend all committee meetings except the Nominating Committee.)

• 1. Program -- get program suggestion; secure speakers, etc.

• 2. Membership -- plan theme and activities.

• 3. Program Book -- gather information as soon as possible. Books should be ready for the first association meeting. Book should include names addresses and telephone numbers of officers and chairmen, dates of meetings and programs planned, principals name and school telephone number.

• 4. Bylaws and Standing Rules -- If bylaws need amending, (review required every three years) get them ready top resent as early as possible. Refer to the starred Article on amendments, usually the last Article in your bylaws, for the correct procedure to follow for this action.

• 5. Budget Committee -- The budget committee might consist of budget chairman, president, principal, treasurer and Ways & Means Committee chairman. Budget should have Board approval and then be taken to the association for adoption. This authorizes the treasurer to pay routine bills provided for in the budget. Approval for expenditures NOT PROVIDED in the budget MUST be secured from the association. Give the association the reason for and the amountof money involved.

E. First Board Meeting

• 1. Give out packet materials received from the State Office.

• 2. If bylaws specify, plans of all committee work need the board's approval at this meeting.

• 3. Order your subscriptions to Our Children.

F. Board approved matters which need association approval should be taken to the association in the form of a "Recommendation from the Executive Board".

G. On your agenda, this would be under committee reports and be read by the secretary.

14. Report of the committee: The committee report is signed by all members who concur with it. The report of the Nominating Committee is made at a meeting as stipulated in your unit/council bylaws. Nominations from the floor are in order as provided for in the bylaws. If the Nominating Committee is unable to fill position, it reports this fact and then nominations from the floor take effect.

15. Withdrawal of a nominee: If a nominee withdraws before the election is held, the committee is revived unless the bylaws or standing rules provide other wise.

16. Completion of obligations: The committee's work is completed when its report has been presented to the association's membership and the election has been held. If an officer is not elected at the election meeting or a vacancy occurs after election, check your bylaws. Most will say it is the responsibility of the Executive Committee to fill the vacancy.