By Laws

St. Joseph Home-School Association

Updated 9/1/2009

 

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the St. Joseph Home-School Association (hereafter called “H.S.A.”).

 

ARTICLE II.  Organizational Authority

A.  This H. S. A. is an independent association but shall be affiliated with the Department of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Buffalo and will  support its programs; it also acknowledges the leadership role of the National Organization for Catholic School Parents which operates in conjunction with the National Catholic Educational Association of the United States Catholic Conference.

B.  This H. S. A. is organized exclusively for charitable, literacy, or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501( c) (3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future Federal Internal Revenue Code.

 

ARTICLE III.  Purpose

The objectives of this H. S. A. shall be the following:

1.  To promote open communication among the parents, teachers, and administration.

2.  To provide parents and teachers with the information to aid in all aspects of education, growth, and development.

3.  To promote good will and cooperation between and among parents, faculty, administration, Educational Advisory Council, and the St. Joseph University Heights parish.

4.  To direct and coordinate parental support to St. Joseph University Heights Elementary School through assistance activities, social functions, and fundraisers.

5.  To directly support St. Joseph School’s sports program.

 

ARTICLE IV.  Membership and fees

A.  Membership shall consist of the parents and guardians of the students of St. Joseph University Heights Elementary School and the faculty of the school.

B.  Any person who has rendered distinguished service to the H. S. A. may be designated an honorary member by the Board of Directors.

C.  Membership fees and/or active participation of members shall be determined annually by the board of directors of the H. S. A. prior to registration for the following school year, or as needed.

 

ARTICLE V. Board of Directors 

A.  The H. S. A. shall be governed by a Board of Directors which shall establish the policy and immediate goals of the Association, elect officers.

B.  The Board of Directors shall consist of at 15 members, no more than 18, to be elected by the membership to serve as directors for a term of one year.  The election of the Board of Directors shall be held during the first ten days of May as follows:

1.  A nomination and election committee shall be appointed by the President of the Board of Directors during the first three weeks of April, if not already chaired.

2.  The nomination and election committee shall prepare requests for nominations and distribute them among the H. S. A.’s general membership.  If there is a response beyond 18, ballots will be distributed to the general membership. 

3.  The ballots shall be cast by the general membership and received and tabulated by the nomination and election committee on or before May 10.

4.  The election, if there are more than 18 nominees, shall be by secret ballot.

5.  Directors will assume responsibilities upon installation to be held within 60 days of election or installation.

6.  Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors shall be filled from the general membership by appointment of the Board of Directors to fill the unexpired term.  Any such appointee shall serve until the next regular election.

7.  If any member of the board of directors decides to leave before the expiration of the term, he/she may be replaced only if the total number of directors falls below 15.  The replacement director would be appointed by the board of directors by majority vote at a board meeting.

C.  The Board of Directors shall meet in regular session monthly and shall meet in special session at the call of the President or a majority of the Board of Directors.  At any meeting, six directors shall constitute a quorum and the business of the Board shall be conducted based upon a majority vote of such quorum.

 

ARTICLE VI. Officers and Duties

A.  The election of officers shall be held at the first regular board meeting following the installation of newly elected members of the Board of Directors.  The election shall be conducted by the President of the Board, who shall accept nominations for each office from the board members.  Each nominee for President must have been a member of the Board of Directors for one year prior to nomination.

B.  The term of office for each officer shall be one year.  No person shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

C.  The executive officers of the H. S. A. shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  Their duties are as follows:

The President Shall

1.  Preside at and administer all regular, special, and executive committee meetings.

2.  Call special meetings of the H. S. A.’s Board of Directors.

3.  Serve as an ex-officio member of all H. S. A.’s committees.

4.  Assure that committees meet their goals and report their results and recommendations to the H. S. A.

5. Serve as liaison to Department of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Buffalo.

 The Vice President Shall

1.  Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence.

2.  Perform additional duties designated by the President.

3.  Assist in the formation of all committees and serve as an ex-officio member.

4.  Assist in assuring that committees meet their goals and report their results and recommendations to the H. S. A.

The Secretary Shall

1.  Record and make available to the members copies of the minutes of all executive committee and general meetings.

2.  Conduct the correspondence of the H. S. A. to the school.

3.  Maintain a current file of reports, records and correspondences of the H. S. A.

4.  Be responsible for recording and correcting as amended the Bylaws of the H. S. A.

The Treasurer shall

1.  Collect and deposit all dues and other monies received through fundraising and contributions.

2.  Be appointed to all fundraising committees as an ex-officio member to coordinate and to help prepare fundraising reports.

3.  Maintain records of all receipts and expenditures.

4.  See that all bank and financial records of the H. S. A. shall be kept in the Parish center office and be available for inspection and audit by the Principal, Pastor, or his designee.

5.  Provide a written monthly cash accounting at the board and general membership meeting of all income and expenditures.

The Faculty Representative (the Principal or his/her designee) shall

1.  Serve as liaison between the faculty and the H. S. A. 

2.  Report H.S.A. business at faculty meetings.

 

ARTICLE VII.  Committees and Functions

A.  All members of the H. S. A. are eligible to be members of the committees.  The President of the H. S. A. shall for ask for volunteers for the committees no later than the first general membership meeting of the school year.  Appointment to the standing committees shall be made during the first meeting in October.

B.  The standing committees are as follows:

1.  The Sports Committee shall pursue extraordinary means--beyond the regularly scheduled fundraising events--to provided support for the athletic program and arrange the awards ceremony at the end of the year.

2.  The Nomination and Election Committee shall carry out duties as described in Article V (B) (1 through 6).

3.  The Fundraising Committee Heads shall pursue ideas and carry out efforts to raise funds for the school and/or H. S. A.s needs

Other committees function to organize and run events for the following school year, decided upon between the Principal and Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VIII.  Meetings

Regular closed business meetings of the Board of Directors will be held each month, from September to June.  Two meetings of the general membership, one in the fall and one in the spring will be scheduled no later than the first regular business meeting of the Board of Directors.  If needed, more general meetings may be scheduled by the Board.  If a general member wishes to be present at a meeting, he/she must notify a director at least 7 days before the board the meeting in order to be put on the agenda.

 

ARTICLE IX.  Amendments

Amendments to these Bylaws may be suggested at any meeting in writing. They will be voted on annually with installation of the new board.