Get to know your Whiting Lane PTO

Bylaws of The Whiting Lane Parent Teacher Organization, Inc.

Article I: Name 

The name of this organization is The Whiting Lane Parent Teacher Organization, Inc. ("PTO" or "organization"). It is locally organized under the auspices of the parents and teachers of children attending Whiting Lane Elementary School, West Hartford, Connecticut. 

Article II: Articles of Organization 

The articles of organization of this organization include (a) the bylaws of this organization and (b) the certificate of incorporation or articles of incorporation of this organization. 

Article III: Purposes 

Section 1. The objectives of the Whiting Lane PTO are: 

a. To promote the welfare of children in home, school, and community;

b. To bring into closer cooperation the home and the school, so that parents, caregivers, and Whiting Lane staff may cooperate intelligently in the education of children; 

c. To provide students in elementary school, their parents, caregivers, and Whiting Lane staff with a forum for the exchange of ideas. 

Section 2. The objectives of the Whiting Lane PTO are promoted through an educational program directed toward parents, caregivers, Whiting Lane staff, and the general public, and are developed through conferences, committees, projects, and programs, and are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in Article IV. 

Section 3. The Whiting Lane PTO is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code ("Internal Revenue Code").

Article IV: Basic Policies 

The following are basic policies of the Whiting Lane PTO. 

a. The organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan.  

b. The name of the organization, or the names of any members in their official capacities, shall not be used to endorse or promote a commercial concern or in connection with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the organization. 

c. The organization shall not, directly or indirectly, participate or intervene (in any way, including publishing or distributing of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office, or devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise. 

d. The organization shall work with the school to provide quality education for all children, and shall seek to participate in the decision-making process establishing school policy, recognizing that the legal responsibility to make decisions has been delegated by the people to boards of education. 

e. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, board representatives, directors, or other private persons except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article III of these bylaws. 

f. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on: (i) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

g. Upon the dissolution of this organization, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more non-profit funds, foundations, or organizations which have established their tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and which shall be used for the benefit of students at Whiting Lane Elementary School.

Article V: Membership and Dues 

Section 1. Membership in this PTO shall be made available to any parent, caregiver, or staff member of Whiting Lane Elementary School and Early Learning Center, West Hartford, Connecticut. There shall be only one class of members. 

Section 2. The PTO may admit persons to membership at any time. The term of membership for each member shall run from their effective enrollment date through September 30 of the following school year. 

Section 3. Each member of this PTO shall pay such annual dues to said organization as may be prescribed by the organization. The annual dues shall be set by the PTO Board of Directors before or during the first month of the school year, and may be set at zero. The annual dues shall be equal for all members, except that the dues for the principal shall be waived. 

Article VI: Board Representatives and Their Election 

Section 1. Each Board Representative (“Board Representative”) shall be a member of this PTO. 

Section 2. The Board of Directors of the PTO shall consist of: a President, an Executive Vice President, a Vice President–Principal, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and six At-Large Board Representatives. The total number of At-Large Board Representatives may be changed by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. These Board Representatives members shall be elected annually by written ballot, provided that if there shall be but one candidate for any position, the election may be by voice. These Board Representatives members shall serve a term of one year and until their successors have been elected and installed. 

Section 3. Nominations of Board Representatives members may be made by any member at the annual meeting. 

Section 4. A vacancy occurring in any Board Representative position shall be filled by the majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors. 

Article VII: Duties of Board Representatives Members 

Section 1. The President shall: 

a. Preside at all meetings of the PTO and of the Board of Directors;

b. Coordinate activities and appoint ad-hoc Committees as necessary;

c. Shall be an ex-officio member of all committees; 

d. Perform all other duties usually pertaining to the office.

Section 2. Each Vice President shall act as an aide of the President and shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of that Board Representative in their designated order. The Vice President–Principal shall be the school principal. The Executive Vice President shall act as volunteer coordinator and perform such other duties as may be delegated to the Executive Vice President. 

Section 3. The Secretary shall keep meeting minutes, recording motions, decisions, and key business; take attendance at meetings; coordinate and maintain enrollment of all members; maintain and compile bylaws and bylaws revisions; and perform such other duties as may be delegated to the Secretary. 

Section 4. The Treasurer shall: 

• Have custody of all the funds of the organization; 

• Ensure timely completion of required annual financial filings, including IRS Form 990, state annual reports, and other periodic filings as applicable;

• Keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures;

• Make disbursements as authorized by the Board of Directors or organization in accordance with the budget adopted by the organization;

• Present a financial statement at every meeting of the organization and at other times when requested by the executive board;

• Make a full report at the meeting at which new Board Representatives officially assume their duties;

• Be responsible for the maintenance of such books of account and records as conform to the requirements of these bylaws. 

Section 5. All Board Representatives shall perform the duties outlined in these bylaws and those assigned from time to time. Upon the expiration of the term of office or in the case of resignation, each Board Representative shall turn over to the President, without delay, all records, books, and other materials pertaining to the office, and shall return to the Treasurer, without delay, all funds pertaining to the office. 

Section 6. A Board Representative may be removed from office upon a finding that the member has engaged in conduct detrimental to the organization or willful violation of these bylaws. The Board shall provide written notice of the specific grounds for removal to the affected member at least fourteen days before any vote. The affected member shall have the opportunity to address the Board before a vote is taken. Removal shall require a two-thirds vote of the full Board of Directors. Upon removal, the Board shall fill the vacant position from the general membership and confirm the appointment by majority vote. 

Section 7. At-Large Board Representatives shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. 

Article VIII: The Board of Directors 

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Board Representatives elected pursuant to Article VI. The members of the Board Representatives shall serve for the duration of their term and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. 

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall have the general responsibility of managing the PTO and shall determine its actions by a majority vote of a quorum of those members of the Board Representatives. The Board shall report periodically to the membership and may ask the membership for its guidance on policy questions. 

Section 3. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors shall be filled for the unexpired portion of such Board Representative’s term at a special meeting of the directors duly called. 

Section 4. The Board of Directors may designate two or more directors or Board Representatives to constitute a committee or committees, which, subject to law and these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all such authority of the Board that shall be provided in the resolution constituting them.

Section 5. Board of Directors' Meetings 

a. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held during the school year at such times and places as shall be designated by the Board.

b. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by a majority of the members of the Board Representatives for any specified purpose or action. 

c. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held within the State of Connecticut and shall be called by the Secretary for any time or place requested by the President or by at least one-fourth of the directors., Reasonable written or oral notice of such meeting shall be given to each director. The first meeting of the newly elected board may be held immediately following the meeting at which the directors have been elected, in which case no notice shall be given for such meeting. 

d. A majority of the directors qualified to act shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors. 

Article IX: General Meetings 

Section 1. General meetings of the organization shall be held periodically during the school year. A minimum of six meetings shall be held. 

Section 2. The annual meeting of members for the election of directors shall be held in May or June of every year at a time and place fixed by the Board of Directors. At this meeting, the members entitled to vote shall elect a Board of Directors as further set forth herein. 

Section 3. The President or the Secretary of the PTO may and, upon the written request of not less than thirty of the members, shall call a special members' meeting and cause notice thereof to be given. 

Section 4. Written notice of each members' meeting, stating the place, day, and hour thereof and the general nature of the business to be considered, shall be given (i) to each member entitled to vote by notice mailed to each member's last known address not less than seven nor more than fifty days before such meeting or (ii) by publication in or with the Whiting Lane School newsletter prior to the day of the meeting. 

Section 5. All general meetings shall be held at such place within the State of Connecticut as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. 

Section 6 The members present in person or by proxy, at any general meeting of the members, shall constitute a quorum for such meeting. Members will be deemed present if present in person or represented by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy executed by such member. 

Section 7. At each general members' meeting, every member then entitled to vote may vote in person or by, written proxy or by virtual links approved by the Board of Directors and shall have one vote on each matter.

Article X: Committees 

Section 1. Each year the Board of Directors shall create committees, and appoint committee chairpersons, as it deems necessary to promote the objectives and interests of the PTO. The Board of Directors shall appoint such other members, Board Representatives, officers, or directors to serve on such committees as it deems fit. The Board of Directors may also appoint representatives from the PTO to participate in town associations such as the Health Ccouncil, Parent Teacher Council, Board of Education and Cultural Council. 

Section 2. The chairpersons of the standing committees shall present plans of work to the Board of Directors, and no committee work shall be undertaken without approval of the Board of Directors. 

Article XI: Office 

The principal office of the PTO shall be located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The PTO may have other offices as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. 

Article XII: Fiscal Year 

The fiscal year of the PTO shall begin on the first day of July and end on the last day of June of the following year. 

Article XIII: Parliamentary Authority 

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Whiting Lane PTO in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these bylaws. 

Article XIV: Amendments 

These bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed at any general PTO meeting by a two-thirds vote of the membership in attendance, provided that notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, or repeal shall have been given in the notice of the meeting five (5) days prior to the scheduled date of the meeting, and further provided that there shall be no power to alter, amend, or repeal the bylaws in such manner as to permit any member, director, or Board Representative to ever receive any compensation or any pecuniary profit from its operations (except reasonable compensation for services actually rendered to the PTO and affecting one or more of its purposes), nor to receive any part of the property or assets of the corporation upon its dissolution or liquidation.

Ratified May 14, 2026