Bylaws for Fields Memorial School Parent Teacher Organization
Located in Bozrah, CT 06334 

Article I
Title

This organization shall be known as the Fields Memorial Parent Teacher Organization. The Fields Memorial School Parent Teacher Organization is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. It is frequently referred to as the FMS PTO.

Article II
Objectives

The purpose of this organization shall be to bring an association of parents and teachers into a relationship of mutual assistance and cooperation, and to promote the welfare of the children of the town of Bozrah by providing progressively better educational opportunities for all.

Article III
Policies

This organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan. No commercial enterprise and no candidate shall be endorsed by it. The name of the organization and the names of its officers in their official capacities shall not be used in any connection with commercial concern or partisan interest, or for any purpose other than the regular work of the organization. This organization shall seek neither to direct the administrative activities of the school nor control their policies.

Article IV
Membership

Any person interested in the objectives of the Fields Memorial Parent Teacher Organization, who is willing to uphold its basic policies and subscribe to its by-laws, may become a member upon payment of dues as hereinafter provided.

Article V
Dues

The regular, annual dues of the Fields Memorial Parent Teacher Organization shall be determined by the membership at the June meeting of the previous year. These dues are payable at the first meeting of the school year, Open House, or the first meeting attended by the individual. As determined by the membership, annual dues are currently $0.00 per person or a maximum of $0.00 per family.

The fiscal year of the Fields Memorial Parent Teacher Organization begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th.

 Article VI
Election of Officers

The following officers shall be elected annually by this organization: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Teacher Representative and standing committee Chairpersons. These positions may be shared by up to two PTO members. When the positions are shared by two members the officer title will be preceded by the prefix Co-. These officers shall be known collectively as the PTO Executive Board.

To serve as an officer of the PTO Executive Board, the individual must be a resident in the town of Bozrah or a parent/guardian of a child attending Fields Memorial School and be a member in good standing, excluding the Teacher Representative, who need not be a resident of Bozrah or a parent/guardian of a child attending Fields Memorial School. To serve as a Chairperson or Treasurer, an individual must be a member in good standing of the PTO for at least one year.

Nominations of officers shall be made and recorded at the regular May PTO meeting. Officers for the following school year will be elected at the regular June PTO meeting. Notice shall be provided to each member prior to the May meeting that nominations or elections will be in order. Vacancies in any officer position that may occur during the school year shall be filled by a PTO member who is recommended by the Executive Board and approved by a majority of the membership in attendance.

Article VII
Committees

The following standing committees shall be established for the organization: Fundraising Committee, Activities Committee, Book Fair Committee, Refreshment Committee, and School Improvement Committee. Each standing committee shall have a Chairperson who is an elected officer of the PTO Executive Board. Special committees may be established as necessary to accomplish the goals of the organization. Special committees may be established during regular PTO meetings based on a majority vote of the membership in attendance. Committee membership shall be open to all PTO members on a volunteer basis.

Article VIII
Duties of Executive Board Members

Chairperson: It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to preside at all meetings and to prepare an agenda prior to each meeting. The Chairperson is also responsible for PTO public relations.

Co-Chairperson: In absence of the Chairperson, the duties of the Chairperson shall be performed by the Co-Chairperson.

Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record and keep minutes of all meetings. Meeting minutes will be posted on-line prior to the next month’s meeting. Correspondence shall be performed by the Secretary when necessary.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and collect all money due the PTO and shall disburse funds of the organization in accordance with the budget adopted by the organization. The Treasurer shall keep accurate financial records, and report to the PTO on a monthly basis. 

Teacher Representative: The Teacher Representative shall attend all monthly meetings. He/She shall serve as liaison between the PTO and teachers, to keep teachers notified of PTO happenings and to inform the PTO of the Teachers’ ideas and recommendations regarding the needs of the school and the students. 

Fundraising Chairperson: The Fundraising Chairperson shall be responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing fundraising events. These responsibilities may be shared by multiple PTO members instead of a single chairperson.

Activities Chairperson: The Activities Chairperson shall oversee student programs and events such as assemblies, field day, and after school activities. These responsibilities may be shared by multiple PTO members instead of a single chairperson.

Book Fair Chairperson: The Book Fair Chairperson shall be responsible for running PTO sponsored book fairs including scheduling, coordinating volunteers for setup, sales and cleanup.

Refreshment Chairperson: The Refreshment Chairperson shall coordinate the refreshments for PTO and school wide activities.

School Improvement Chairperson: The School Improvement Chairperson shall be responsible for coordinating improvements to the school environment such as school decorations, bulletin boards, and capital improvements. These responsibilities may be shared with school groups or clubs.

Article IX
Meetings

Meetings of this organization shall be held monthly in the school library or as otherwise designated by the Executive Board. A quorum for each general meeting shall consist of five voting members.

Order of Business Meetings:

1. Call to order by Chairperson or presiding officer 
2. Approval of minutes of previous meeting
3. Additions to the Agenda 
4. Treasurer’s Report 
5. Correspondence 
6. Board of Education Report 
7. Superintendent / Principal Report 
8. Teacher Representative Report
9. Committee Reports 
10. Unfinished Business 
11. New Business 
12. Anything for the Good of the Organization 
13. Adjournment

Meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order in cases not covered by these by-laws. 

The Chairperson may take a roll call vote on any motion. At this time only paid up members as currently listed will be polled. A simple majority of these members will be necessary to pass the motion.

Article X
Amendments

The by-laws may be amended by a majority of members present at any regular meeting providing advance notice of two weeks has been given to the members prior to the meeting.

Article XI
Dissolution

In the event the Fields Memorial Parent Teacher Organization dissolves, all assets will be transferred to the Fields Memorial School Activity Fund to be used for the benefit of students.

These by-laws were amended January 12, 2023 by the Fields Memorial School Parent Teacher Organization.

PTO Minutes were first recorded on Wednesday, April 18, 1945.