Bylaws and PTA Elections
What are Bylaws
Bylaws are the legally binding document of your PTA as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. They provide the basic framework of your unit and how it functions. Information on your board, committees, membership, meetings, and elections is in the Bylaws. Details on PTA policies and required procedures for board rosters, financial reports, audits, dues, and Bylaws review are also supplied. In addition, your unit’s legal name and identification numbers – issued by National and State PTA as well as Federal and State government agencies for tax filings – are listed in Bylaws.
Bylaws are designed to help your PTA function in an orderly manner. PTA bylaws describe the purpose of PTA and its mission, and members’ rights, in addition to officers, committees and their respective duties.
A copy of the association’s Bylaws for the Local PTA/PTSA Units must be made available to any association member upon request. A copy should be provided to all officers and board members. Each executive board member is responsible for making a thorough study of them.
What are Bylaws
Bylaws are the legally binding document of your PTA as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. They provide the basic framework of your unit and how it functions. Information on your board, committees, membership, meetings, and elections is in the Bylaws. Details on PTA policies and required procedures for board rosters, financial reports, audits, dues, and Bylaws review are also supplied. In addition, your unit’s legal name and identification numbers – issued by National and State PTA as well as Federal and State government agencies for tax filings – are listed in Bylaws.
Bylaws are designed to help your PTA function in an orderly manner. PTA bylaws describe the purpose of PTA and its mission, and members’ rights, in addition to officers, committees and their respective duties.
A copy of the association’s Bylaws for the Local PTA/PTSA Units must be made available to any association member upon request. A copy should be provided to all officers and board members. Each executive board member is responsible for making a thorough study of them.
Standing Rules VS. Bylaws
Standing rules outline the procedures of the organization that are not included in the bylaws and must not conflict with the bylaws or the California State PTA Toolkit. They may be changed or amended without notice with a two-thirds (2/3rd) majority vote of the association, or a majority vote with thirty (30) days’ notice.
Some of the differences between standing rules and bylaws are:
- Bylaws state when the meetings of the association are held.
- Standing rules tell where and what time association meetings are held, and when executive board meetings are held.
- Bylaws give the primary responsibilities of officers and chairmen.
- Standing rules give the specifics.
If the bylaws state that the first vice president is responsible for programs, the standing rules would list the various special committee chairmen who work under that vice president, such as Founders Day, Honorary Service Awards, etc. The bylaws describe the authority of committees. Standing rules indicate which committees are standing committees whose chairmen are voting members of the executive board and which committees are special committees, whose chairmen do not have executive board voting privileges and to which executive board member they report.
If the organization has supplies or equipment, the standing rules would state who is responsible for them and where they would be kept. They might also list details of the installation of officers, and who has responsibility for securing the past president’s pin.
Bylaws Play An Essential Role
Important Links
Bylaws tools for Peralta District PTA councils and units
Change of Status Form- If your unit or council is changing name or grade level please reach out to District Parliamentarian- parliamentarian@pdpta.org, This step is REQUIRED before updating of Bylaws
Instructions for Standard Bylaws
Reviewing and updating your Bylaws- Overview
Bylaws Submission Form (Fillable)
PTA Elections
How-To: Nominations and Elections
Nominating Committee Checklist
Peralta District Nomination and Interest Process Form
State National, and local Elections and PTA Guideliness
By law, PTAs are required to be non-partisan and must never support or oppose political parties or candidates, including those running for school boards.
Regional, State, & National Elections and PTA Guidelines