BYLAWS OF
Cornerstone Academy Parents and Teachers Group, Inc
Article I – NAME, PURPOSE
Section I: The name of the organization shall be Cornerstone Academy Parents and Teachers Group, Inc
Section 2: The Cornerstone Academy Parents and Teachers group, Inc. is organized exclusively for educational and social purposes, within the meaning of Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, more specifically, to
- Enrich the educational experience at Cornerstone Academy, a private elementary school located at 5 Oak, St Northborough MA 01532, through organized volunteerism and fundraising to promote special activities and new educational opportunities.
- Provide an organized group forum by which parents, teachers and administrators can communicate issues and ideas and develop plans to improve the quality of the educational experience at Cornerstone Academy.
- Plan social activities to promote a sense of school spirit and community, outside of the school day
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, this organization shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501c3 or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law. No part of the activities of the corporation shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, or participating in, or intervening in (including the publication of distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Section 3: The corporation is a nonprofit corporation and no part of the net earnings of the corporation shall go to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Article I; notwithstanding any purposes set forth in this Article IO and not withstanding any other provisions of the Bylaws, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on bay and organization exempt from ferdeal income tax under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or a corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.
Article II – MEMBERSHIP
Section1: membership shall be open, but not mandatory, to all parents of children attending Cornerstone Academy, all Cornerstone Academy teachers, all Cornerstone Academy administrators and anyone who wants to work to improve the educational experience at Cornerstone Academy. Membership is free. All members and the board of the directors are unpaid volunteers
Article III – ANNUAL MEETING
Section 1: Annual meetings. The date of the regular annual meeting shall be set by the chairperson of the Board of Directors, who shall also set the time and place.
Section2: Special meetings. Special meetings may be called by an officer on the Board of Directors or any special activity organizer as required to carry out Group plans.
Section 3: Notice. Notice of each meeting shall be given to each parent in the school journals and to other members, by mail, not less than three days before the meeting.
Article IV – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Board Role. The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the Group. The Board delegates responsibility to committee chairs in matters relating to the event they may be planning and directing.
Board Size. The Board shall have up to 7 members and no fewer than 5 members.
Compensation. The Board consists of unpaid volunteers. The Board receives no compensation other than reasonable reimbursements for money spent on Group business.
Section 2: Meetings. The Board shall meet at least 4 times a year, at an agreed upon time and place.
Section 3: Board Elections. Election of new directors or election of current directors to a second term will occur as the first item of business at the annual meeting of the corporation. Directors will be elected by a majority vote of the Group members present at the annual meeting.
Section 4: Terms. All Board members shall serve one year terms, but are eligible for re-election.
Section 5: Quorum. A quorum must be attended by at least 3 of the Board members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed. A quorum of 3 may vote on expenditures of $25 or less. The entire Board (all 7 officers) must be present to vote on expenditures of $250 or more.
Section 6: Notice. An official Board meeting requires that each Board member have written notice two weeks in advance.
Section 7: Officers and Duties. There shall be a minimum of five officers on the Board consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Non-Profit Support Officer. The President shall convey regularly scheduled Board meetings, shall preside or arrange for other members of the executive committee to preside at each meeting in the following order: Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Vice President shall handle group publicity and fill in for the President as required. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all Board and group general meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of the minutes and agenda to each of the Board members, and assuring that records are maintained. The treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting. The treasurer shall chair the finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to Board members and the public. The Non-Profit Support Officer will get the required information from the treasurer and secretary to file required forms as required by the IRS Publication 557, Chapter 3, Section 501(C ) (3) Organizations, Educational Organizations and Private Schools.
Section 8: Vacancies. When a vacancy on the Board exists, the Secretary may receive nominations for new members from present group members, two weeks in advance of a group meeting. These vacancies will be filled only to the end of the particular board member’s term.
Section 9: Resignation, Termination, and Absences. Resignation from the Board must be in writing and received by the Secretary. A Board member shall be dropped for excess absences from the Board if s/he has three unexcused absences from Board meetings in a year. A Board member may be removed for other reasons by a three-fourths vote of the remaining directors.
Section 10: Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be called upon the request of the President or one-third of the Board. Notices of special meetings shall be sent out by the secretary to each Board member postmarked two weeks in advance.
ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES
Section 1: The Board may create committees as needed, such as fundraising, social, curriculum, playground, graduation, etc. The Board Chair appoints all committee chairs.
Section 2: The Five officers serve as the members of the executive committee. They have the power to amend the articles of incorporation and bylaws with the approval of a majority of the association members. The executive committee (Board of directors) shall have all of the powers and authority to make decisions in the intervals between meetings of the association regarding Board operating procedures and reimbursements for financial expenditures. All new requests for financial expenditures must be discussed and voted on at association meetings.
Section 3: Finance Committee. The finance committee will include all seven board members and any association members that want to be involved. The finance committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, fundraising plans, and an annual budget. The treasurer will report on finances and tracking to budget. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. The treasurer will submit annual reports showing income, expenditures, and pending income. The financial records of the organization are public information and shall be made available to the membership, Board members and the public.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS
Section 1: These bylaws may be amended when necessary by a majority of the Board of Directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the secretary to be sent out with regular board announcements.
