PTO Today

Does anyone know if all the current members have to show up and vote to get the required 2/3 vote? We do not get a large portion of our members to attend the meetings. Just curious. Want to make sure that WE have all our ducks in a row. We are currently a PTA and want to change to a PTO.

Hi insight -

If you're looking to follow your bylaws to the T, most PTA bylaws I've seen ask you to "notify" all your members (usually a notice home will do this) and then hold the meeting. At that meeting, you need a 2/3 vote of those in attendance, provided you have at least "a quorum: in attendance. Your quorum number should also be defined in your bylaws or standing rules. It's often something like 10 or 15 members.

No bylaws (I've ever seen) require you to have everyone in attendance.

Tim

Ok, not to get too picky, but I will...RRO further clarifies the 2/3 definition by stipulating it's 2/3 of the members present AND voting (provided there's quorum like Tim said). If a member choses to abstain (something I've seen when people are reluctant to take sides on a contentious issue), her action is considered a non-vote. So the fact that she's there at the meeting doesn't enter into the 2/3 calculation. It's the number of votes cast and abstentions don't count as votes.

There are more nuances to voting like majority, plurality, what is quorum if not specified in your bylaws, etc. that is covered by Roberts Rules. If you are anticipating a delicate or controversial issue, you might want to get your hands on a couple of books about Roberts Rules of ORder. There's an online website, too, but I prefer the 150 pages books I have that are dog-eared and highlighted from many, many uses. (I use two books by D. Zimmerman and D. Patnode, but there are plenty to pick from at any big book store.)

I have another question...LOL!!! What does it mean to return the charter? I have no clue. Thanks for your response to the other question. Much appreciated.