The name of this organization shall be the Melville Parent Teacher Group.

Address: 1351 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871

The purpose of this group is to provide the necessary support, financial and otherwise, to Melville School for the enrichment of the education of our children, and to establish lines of communication between the school’s teachers, administrators, and parents.

All parents and guardians, teachers and administrators of students attending

Melville School are members of this organization. Other persons may be accepted as members by approval of the Steering Committee.

The officers of the group shall be:

President or Co-President

Vice President or Co-Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Upon election, the above officers will serve one calendar year term. The position of the president may become a pair of co-presidents when a single president is unavailable.

The above officers shall be elected annually by the members of the group at the May meeting. Prior to this action, the president shall establish a nominating committee consisting of three (3) members who shall solicit interested members for possible election. The vice president of the group shall chair the nominating committee.

In the event of a disbandment of this group, the balance of funds shall be made available to the Principal of Melville School to be disbursed as he/she sees fit for the enrichment of the children’s education.

This Group may adopt such By-laws as may be required for the accomplishment of its purpose. Bylaws should be reviewed yearly by the steering committee and amended as needed to best represent the mission of the group.

Amendments or revisions may be made to the constitution by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting, providing the revision of change is presented at least one regular meeting prior to voting, and that written notification of the specific change or revision be given at least three days prior to the meeting at which action is to be taken thereon.

The group shall be considered disbanded if no meetings have been held for a period of two years.

Section 1 President /CO-President - The president shall preside at all regular and steering committee meetings of the Group, shall appoint all committee chairmen, shall call all special meetings, shall sign checks with treasurer as required and all official documents of the group, represent the MPTG on public occasions, review all MPTG correspondence, newsletters, and grants prior to distribution and publication, chair next years budget workshop, attend Portsmouth School Committee and Portsmouth Town Council meetings if MPTG interests are at stake, and shall act as liaison between the school staff and the Group’s activities.

Section 2 Vice President/CO-Vice President - The vice president shall assume the duties of the president in the absence of the president, assumes the office of the president when inability or resignation requires, coordinate scheduling of MPTG events to avoid conflicts with the other Portsmouth schools, report MPTG events to Portsmouth School Department for inclusion in Portsmouth School’s Master Calendar, coordinates or delegates responsibilities for all MPTG sponsored social functions, and shall serve as chairman for the nominating committee.

Section 3 Secretary - The secretary shall keep a record of all meetings, shall conduct general correspondence, shall notify members of all meetings, publish summary MPTG minutes (by Email if possible), obtain and file Portsmouth School Committee minutes, notify MPTG of any School Committee issues of interest to MPTG, and perform all other duties pertaining to such office.

Section 4 Treasurer - The treasurer shall have custody of all funds of the Group, shall pay all bills approved by the Group, keep a record of all monies, disperse money based on approved budget, obtain second signature from president/co-president or Melville’s Principal, obtain receipts for all reimbursements, and expenditures, support next years budget workshop, and shall report on finances at each meeting.

There shall be a nominating committee of three members. Two shall be appointed by the president and one member elected by the members at the first meeting of the Group after February 1. This committee shall report in May and shall present at least one nomination for each office, but may present more than one. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the May meeting. The vice president of the Group shall chair the nominating committee.

Section 1 There shall be a Steering Committee consisting of the

president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, the Principal of Melville School (in an advisory capacity), and one member nominated from the floor and elected by the vote at the last meeting of the school year. The immediate past president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer (in order of availability) will be an additional member to serve in an advisory capacity.

Section 2 The Steering Committee shall be responsible for planning the work and program of the group.

Section 1 In event of a vacancy in the office of the president, the vice

president shall automatically become president. If a co-president resigns, the remaining co-president will become president.

Section 2 In the event of a vacancy in the office of vice president, secretary, or treasurer, the president shall appoint a member from the membership.

Section 3 In the event of a vacancy on the Steering Committee of the member who is not an officer, the president shall appoint a member from the membership.

The president shall appoint all necessary committees as required. Any and all printed matter concerning any and all Group decisions / activities / announcements / notices / letters / public or membership information must be approved by the president of the Group prior to submittal or final print.

Section 1 There will be at least four regular meetings of the organization during the school year.

Section 2 Special meetings shall be called when deemed necessary by the

president or at the request of any five members.

Section 3 Three school days notice in writing shall be given of all meetings. The notice shall include information to be discussed at the upcoming meeting.

Section 1 Expenditures under $60.00 - Discretion of the president

Expenditures over $60.00 -

Section 2 A bank account will be maintained by the treasurer and all withdrawals for expenditures must be co-signed by the president or treasurer of the Group or the Principal of Melville School. Monthly bank reconciliation statements will be turned into the Portsmouth School District.

Section 1 Requests for funding of enrichment / education programs will be taken at the June meeting. Specific funds will be voted on and accepted by majority vote of the members attending the June meeting.

Section 2 A separate meeting of the Steering Committee will be called no later than July 31, to determine a budget for upcoming school year. The president and or Co-president of the preceding school year will call this meeting.

Means to fund the budget will be determined at this meeting and shall follow the guidelines for fundraising set forth by the School District.

Section 3 Allocated funds for specific committees will be granted to the committee for use determined by majority vote of that committee and the approval of the Committee Chairman.

Section 4 Funds allocated by the Steering Committee at the end of the school year for the following year should be in writing in order to define why the funds were allotted. This will help the incoming president with the purpose of the funds.

Section 1 Fundraising efforts that require student participation shall be authorized under conditions that do not conflict with instructional programs and are in accordance with the requirements of RI Law 16 -38-6, "Commercial Activities Prohibited - Conduct of Teachers."

Section 2 The School Committee shall permit fundraising activities provided that activities are directly sponsored and controlled by the school. Such activities shall require written approval of the Superintendent of Schools if the activity extends beyond school grounds. In addition, the activity must be carefully monitored and regulated by the school principal or a designee. Schools will not conduct any sales campaign, project, or other process that requires, encourages, or otherwise promotes the utilization of students in door-to-door solicitation. Autonomous organizations such as the various booster organizations and parent/teacher groups must comply with these requirements if students or school department employees are to be utilized in the fundraising activity. (Portsmouth School Department regulation, revised 2/28/98).

Section 3 Fundraising projects will be voted upon at the regular meeting in May and the Steering Committee will make final determination for specific fundraising to meet the needs for the following year's budget.

Section 1 These By-laws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a majority vote of the membership present at a duly called meeting.

Section 2 Amendments or revisions to the By-laws must be presented at least one regular meeting prior to voting thereon, and written notification specifically outlining the proposed changes must be made three days prior to voting thereon.