Introduction to Bylaws:

Bylaws are designed to help the group function in an orderly manner by providing understanding and guidance as to the purpose of PTA/PTSA, basic policies, members and dues, officers’ duties, and terms, and establishing quorum, to name a few. An approved printed copy of the Official Bylaws of the Local or County PTA/PTSA unit should be provided to all officers and board members. Each member should be responsible for making a thorough study of them. A copy of the bylaws should be made available to any member of the association upon request. It is recommended that the unit’s bylaws be uploaded to their MemberHub account. See the MemberHub link on our main webpage for more information on how to set up your unit and how you can store all the important documents of your unit.

When do we renew our Bylaws?

Bylaws are required to be renewed every three (3) years to remain in good standing with West Virginia PTA. If your unit cannot locate your bylaws, please contact the bylaws chair at bylaws@westvirginiapta.org. A scanned or pdf copy of the last set of bylaws in our file will be emailed to the officer making the request. West Virginia PTA recently changed our local unit bylaws renewal to a digital process using a bylaws master template. The West Virginia PTA bylaws chair will email the template to the unit to complete by choosing from dropdown boxes and filling in blank items. Please note that the template is NOT compatible with Microsoft Edge. The bylaws chair will also email a word document and a pdf file as other alternatives to completing the renewal process. Only one (1) method (template, word doc or pdf) needs to be emailed back to the bylaws chair.

Who prepares Bylaws amendments/changes?

Appoint a small committee to study the current bylaws and make recommendations. The committee should read the entire template that is emailed to refresh or become familiar with the bylaws. Thirty (30) days’ written notice must be given of the proposed amendments to association members. Given that quorum is met, recognizing that a two-thirds (2/3rd) vote of members present at the meeting is required to amend the bylaws.

Where do we send our Bylaws?

After the members of the association have approved the proposed bylaws, the file should be sent to the Bylaws Chair at bylaws@westvirginiapta.org. The chair reviews them and they are sent to the bylaws committee for approval. The chair will then digitally sign and stamp and email the approved set back to the officer who submitted them.

FAQS about Bylaws:

What do we do if our president resigns?

The vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the first (1^st) vice president. Article VI Section 6. If a quorum was not present at a general meeting and we voted on officers, is that a legal election? No. If a quorum is not present, then no business is to be conducted. If the presiding officer ignores this fact, any member should call attention to the lack of a quorum before any business or elections take place. If a quorum is not present at any meeting as required in the bylaws, such as election of nominating committee or officers, you must fix the time for an adjourned meeting. An adjourned meeting may be held any time prior to the next regular meeting.

If a quorum was not present at a general meeting and we voted on officers, is that a legal election?

No. If a quorum is not present, then no business is to be conducted. If the presiding officer ignores the fact, any member should call attention to the lack of a quorum before any business or elections take place. If a quorum is not present at any meeting required in the bylaws such as election of nominating committee or officers, you must fix the time for an adjourned meeting. An adjourned meeting may be held any time prior to the next regular meeting.