Our PTO has been inactive for a couple of years. We now have a new Principal and he says we can have one and I am doing all the leg work to revive it. I know nothing about it so I am having a hard time. But since I am doing all the work and no one else is showing interest can the old President informally appoint me as the President and a few other ladies that have been helping me as the rest of the officers? Instead of holding nominations and elections? Also, I have not even seen the old bylaws. Thank you.

they aren't working with our group any longer, in fact all of the prior board members had resigned. the current appointed board doesn't see the need for bylaws. we are a parent teacher organization and this is the last year our school will be open. the person who was the president at the time wrote these bylaws but is no longer helping with the organization in any capacity. the new board members do not want to work with bylaws and we were going to put it to a vote to remove them. but I was thinking since the bylaws that were written were never voted on and approved my 2/3rds majority that they aren't even in effect anyway. I was just trying to get confirmation on this. hope that makes sense. thank you.

I wouldn't say null and void, especially if they are working for your group. But it might be worth reviewing them, making any needed changes, and having the whole set of bylaws approved at a general meeting -- just to dot the i's.

bylaws were written for our PTO organization (PTO had been in existence for many years). However, the president at the time wrote bylaws and didn't present them to the entire group for approval and 2/3rds vote, they just had all current board members sign bylaws and said they were in effect. Is this the case? I thought bylaws had to be taken to all members for approval and voting. Are the current bylaws null and void in this case?

Your bylaws do not state that you cannot have co-chairs. “One person holds only one position” - can be assumed to mean one person cannot hold more than one position? If current chair was co-chair two years ago, how did that happen? Looks like it has happened in the past.

Co-chair and chair are usually seen as the same position. And it states that the position cannot be held for 2 CONSECUTIVE years. 2 years ago – does that mean last year and then she is chair this year too? Or was it co-chair 2 years ago and then a year break, then chair again this year? If it is the first scenario, then she is not eligible to be chair again next year.

The bylaws do need some revisions. Basically you want to refer to them and be able to say “this is how we do it” and the answer is always the same from everyone. Since your bylaws state that it is a silent vote, then you do need to adhere to that rule. When you review your bylaws, you might want to stipulate that a voice vote may be taken if there is only one candidate for an office. And regarding your quorum, you should base it on typical attendance figures for your group. Set the number lower rather than higher. Otherwise it may be impossible to get any business done. You can always go back and adjust your quorum number through the amendment process later. You might also want to reference Robert’s Rules of Order so you can defer to them on issues not spelled out in your bylaws. Although some may roll their eyes at the thought of following Robert’s Rules, many books and parliamentary websites provide the basic, most frequently used parliamentary procedures in plain language with easy steps.

Typically, bylaws of parent groups do not cover leases and teacher contracts.

Here is a link that may be helpful: www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...-to-write-pto-bylaws

We do not handle anything with teacher contracts/leases-- etc... but I would at least look at your by-laws and see what it offers---
Good luck!