1.1 NAME - The organization's name shall be Benchmark PTO. The PTO is located at Benchmark Elementary & Preschool, 4120 E. Acoma, Phoenix, AZ 85032

1.2 DESCRIPTION. The PTO is a non-profit organization that exists for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including making distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

1.3 PURPOSE. The PTO aims to enhance and support the educational experience at Benchmark Elementary & Preschool, develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parental involvement, and improving the environment at Benchmark Elementary & Preschool through volunteer and financial support.

2.1 DUES. Membership dues shall be a minimum of $35 for Benchmark Staff and parents/guardians of Benchmark students. Member families are entitled to a maximum of 2 votes per household-one per parent/guardian. Benchmark PTO Executive Board members must make the minimum $35 donation to become a member.

3.1 EXECUTIVE BOARD. The Executive Board shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice President(s), Recording Secretary, Co-Treasurers, and Members-At-Large. The School Principal or his/her designee(s) is also a voting member of the Executive Board. Executive Board officers must be members in good standing of the Benchmark PTO.

3.2 TERM OF OFFICE. For all officers is one year, with the option to remain a second year if elected by a majority vote of the members of the PTO. Officers shall assume their official duties following the close of the last annual meeting in May or June and shall serve for one to two (1-2) years or until their successors are elected. A board member may continue serving in the same position beyond two consecutive years if running unopposed at the time of election. The Vice Presidents are eligible to transition into the office of President if elected by a majority vote of the members of the PTO at the annual election.

3.3 QUALIFICATIONS. Any PTO member in good standing is eligible to become an officer, subject to a majority vote of the PTO members.

3.4 ELECTIONS. Board member elections will be held prior to the last meeting of the fiscal year. The majority votes of the quorum of PTO members present at the meeting must vote for board members. With a quorum representing 8 members.

3.5 DUTIES. Executive Board - Develop the PTO's annual budget, establish and oversee committees to conduct the work of the PTO, establish fundraising programs, and approve by a majority vote of the Board unbudgeted expenditures of no more than $500.00. A quorum of PTO members present at any PTO meeting must approve unbudgeted expenditures above $500.

3.6 REMOVAL. An officer can be removed from the office for failure to fulfill his/her duties after reasonable notice by a quorum of the membership of the PTO.

3.7 VACANCY. If a vacancy occurs on the Executive Board, the President shall appoint a PTO member to fill the vacancy until the PTO members can vote at the next meeting. The newly elected officer shall carry out the duties for the remainder of the officer's term.

3.8 BOARD MEETINGS. The Executive Board shall meet monthly during the school year or at the discretion of the President.

4.1 GENERAL PTO MEETINGS. General PTO meetings shall be held to conduct the business of the PTO. Meetings shall be held monthly during the school year and/or at the discretion of the Executive Board.

4.2 VOTING. Each member in good standing at a PTO meeting is eligible to vote, one vote per member. Absentee or proxy votes are prohibited.

4.3 QUORUM. Eight (8) members in good standing of the PTO present and voting constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting, both in person and via Zoom. If the Executive Board deems a vote necessary before the next scheduled PTO meeting, a vote may be done online or with in-person ballot boxes, requiring a quorum of twenty-five (25) members voting.

4.4 ZOOM ETIQUETTE. When meetings are held via Zoom, all parents, staff, and board members must have their names shown and cameras turned on when asking questions or voting. Each must be present on the call if voting for both household members.

5.1 COMMITTEES. The Executive Board may create any standing and special committees necessary to promote PTO purposes and carry on the PTO's work.

5.2 COMMITTEE CHAIRS. The chair of each standing committee shall present a work plan to the Executive Board for approval. Each committee’s work shall be undertaken with the consent of the executive board. Only members in good standing shall be eligible to be on any PTO committee.

5.3 ROOM LIAISONS. The liaisons for each grade must be in good standing, and they must use any monies collected for grade level events. No money collected may be kept for personal use.

6.1 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the PTO begins July 1st and ends June 30th of the following year.

6.2 BANKING. All PTO account funds shall be kept in a checking account in the name of Benchmark PTO, requiring two signatures of the Executive Board, and held at a local financial institution.

6.3 REPORTING. All financial activity shall be recorded in a manual or computer-based accounting system. The Treasurer shall reconcile the account(s) monthly and report all financial activity monthly. The PTO Executive Board shall arrange independent reviews of its financial records. PTO funds are intended to benefit the students by enhancing school programs and activities. The PTO Officers are the guardians of these funds and have an obligation to see that they are protected and used wisely.

6.4 CONTRACTS. Contract signing authority is limited to the President or the President's designee.

6.5 EXPENDITURES. Requests for all unbudgeted expenditures over $500.00 must be provided to the PTO President in writing at least one week before the next scheduled meeting when the expenditures are discussed.

Any PTO member may propose amendments to the bylaws. Amendments presented at a PTO meeting shall be considered for voting at a subsequent meeting by 2/3rds approval of all members present, and voting is required to adopt an amendment to the Bylaws.

In the event of the PTO's dissolution, any remaining funds shall be donated to Benchmark Elementary and Preschool.

The authority for this organization shall be "Robert's Rule of Order Newly Revised."