I WAS WONDERING SINCE IT IS NOT STATED IN OUR BY LAWS ARE WE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE WHOLE SCHOOL OF THE NEW UP COMING ELECTIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OR DO WE ONLY HAVE TO TELL THE MEMBERS? AND IF WE DO NOT HAVE TO TELL THE WHOLE SCHOOL THEN HOW DO THEY KNOW ABOUT IT AND WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE WANTS TO RUN BUT ISN'T SURE ON WHEN THE ELECTION IS BEING TAKEN PLACE??/

You probably need to notify everyone who is eligible for office, which your bylaws should specify. For instance, your bylaws may say that all parents and staff at your school are members and that any member is eligible for office; in that case you would be wise to notify all parents and staff. If you require dues for membership and your bylaws say anything like only members in good standing (those who have paid their dues) are eligible for office, then probably you are *required* to notify only those members.

But I can't think of any reason I would ever suggest concealing the time and place of upcoming elections from anyone who is or could be eligible for office. It's just bad government, and would make you look like a closed-off, unwelcoming clique.

In other words, my advice is to err on the side of telling everybody even if you're not *required* to.

MIdad is on the right track regarding getting the word out about elections to the entire community.

Here is an article on elections that I think you will find helpful:
http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/966-pto-officer-elections-faqs

~ Lisa



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