Messmore Montessori Association Bylaws
I – Name
The name of the organization shall be the Messmore Montessori Association.
II – Objectives
To provide, through fundraisers, financial aid for supplemental materials, equipment, projects or events which will benefit the students of Messmore Elementary School.
To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and faculty may cooperate intelligently in the education of children.
To provide the parents of the community with information promoting the Montessori history, philosophy and method of education.
To foster communication between the parents and the school in all areas of mutual interest.
III – Membership
The membership shall consist of any parent or guardian of a currently enrolled Messmore student for which the organization is formed.
Members will adhere to the objectives of this organization and uphold its policies.
Membership shall also consist of the principal and any staff member of Messmore.
There shall be no membership fee or dues at any time.
Only members may be nominated for office.
IV – Officers and Elections
Section 1 – Officers. The officers shall be a President, Vice President – Committees, Vice President – Fundraising, Secretary and Treasurer.
President – The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and shall be an ex-facto member of all standing committees and shall have the right to appoint new committees as deemed necessary. He/she must, within two months of the election, call a meeting of newly elected officers. The President does not vote at elections except in the case of a tied vote.
The President shall be responsible to set an agenda for each meeting approved by the principal or executive board.
The President will conduct the meetings and shall have the responsibility of maintaining order during the meetings.
The President shall have the responsibility to make decisions in the best interest of the organization prior to a scheduled meeting. If this decision is of monetary nature, the amount in question shall not exceed an expenditure of $250.00.
Vice President – Committees The Vice President – Committees shall be responsible for providing oversight and guidance to any related committees throughout the term. The Vice President of Committee shall assist the president and carry out the President’s duties in his or her absence or inability to serve. The Vice President – Committees shall be an ex-facto member of all standing committees.
Vice President – Fundraising The Vice President – Fundraising shall be responsible for the overall coordination of new and existing fundraising efforts throughout the term.
Secretary – The Secretary shall keep an accurate written record of all general and executive meetings, to be distributed to appropriate members.
The Secretary will provide copies of the bylaws for all Board members; and make copies available for all general members.
The Secretary shall record and distribute the minutes of the previous meeting.
Treasurer – The Treasurer shall be accountable for all funds of the organization, keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and make disbursements in accordance with the approved budget as authorized by majority vote. He/she shall give monthly, term and yearly reports of all transactions and status of the treasury. The Treasurer shall participate in a year end audit of the books with the newly elected president and treasurer. The accounting records shall be available to any member upon request.
Section 2 – Nominations and Elections. Elections will be held at the last meeting of the school year. Any parent or guardian with at least one child enrolled in Messmore may nominate a candidate for each office and present the slate at least 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. Any vacancy may be filled by a majority vote of the Officers. The newly appointed officer would serve for the remainder of the current term.
Section 3 – Eligibility. Members are eligible for office if they are members in good standing at least 30 calendar days before nominations are due.
Section 4 – Terms of Office. Officers are elected to two-year terms and may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office. Each person elected shall hold only one office at a time. One-year are allowed if the parent will not be able to serve a two-term due to student graduation or if no other candidates seek the position.
Section 5 – Vacancies. If there is a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President of Committees will become the president. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, a new vice president of committees will be elected. If there is a vacancy in any other office, members will fill the vacancy through an election at the next regular meeting.
Section 6 – Removal from Office. Officers can be removed from office with or without cause by a two-thirds vote of those present (assuming a quorum) at a regular meeting where previous notice has been given.
V – Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held monthly on the same day and at the same time each month whenever possible, to be determined by the board. Special meetings may be called by any two board members, with 72 hour notice.
The quorum shall be five (5) members of the organization.
Majority vote on decisions will prevail.
Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern meetings when they are not in conflict with the organization’s bylaws.
VI – Executive Board Requirements
The Executive Board shall consist of the officers, principal and standing committee chairs.
The duties of the Executive Board shall be to transact business between meetings in preparation for the general meeting, create standing rules and policies, create standing and temporary committees, prepare and submit a budget to the membership, approve routine bills, and prepare reports and recommendations to the membership.
Officers are required to attend meetings. In case, a written or verbal report shall be submitted to the president.
Any written communications intended for distribution must be approved by the principal.
In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, members must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the executive board.
VII – Finances
The president and treasurer shall be authorized to disperse and collect funds.
No new financial appropriations shall take place after the end of the school year.
Appropriated funds should be spent within one year of the appropriation; otherwise, the funds may revert back to the general funds.
All funds will be handled through a checking account.
The organization will remain indefinitely nonprofit
Upon the dissolution of the organization, any remaining funds should be used to pay any outstanding bills and, with the membership’s approval, spent for the benefit of the school and/or returned to the school or a designated nonprofit organization.
XIII – Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any general meeting with a simple majority of the members present.
Last Updated: 02/15/2023