The uniform bylaws of the Washington Congress of Parents, Teachers and Students are our guide. The following Standing Rules are added to complement these ideals and establish stronger communication among our members.

1. NAME  
1. The name of this unit shall be the Horace Mann PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association) number 2.8.37
2. MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICE FEES
1. This PTSA serves the children in the Horace Mann Elementary school community.
2. The voting body of the Horace Mann PTSA shall be those who have paid membership dues for the current year (October-September).
3. The membership fees shall be $9.00 for a Mann Staff membership, $16.00 for a single membership, and $32.00 for a family membership.
4. All students attending Horace Mann Elementary shall be deemed honorary members without a voice, vote, or the privilege of holding office.
5. The dues of this unit shall be established by the Board of Directors no later than August 30^th of each year.
6. Dues shall be collected throughout the school year, with a special membership drive to be conducted before October 30^th each year.
7. Members of the Board of Directors shall have dues paid no later than September 30^th of the current year.
8. Corporate sponsorships are permitted as advertising in the student directory to offset the cost of printing.
3.  LEGAL STATUS
1. The Horace Mann PTSA is a non-profit corporation with a tax-exempt status, Section 501 C-3, granted August 15, 1979.  The Treasurer or Co-Treasurers shall be responsible for filing federal tax forms by November 15 of each year.
2. This unit’s Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) is available upon request.
3. The PTSA was incorporated on January 29, 1979. The corporation number is available upon request. The Treasurer or Co-Treasurers will annually renew the Articles of Incorporation prior to the unit’s anniversary date. The registered agent for this corporation is the Washington State PTA.
4. This PTSA is registered with the Secretary of State under the Charitable Solicitations Act.  The registration number is 2132.  The Treasurer or Co-Treasurers will file the annual registration prior to November 15 each year.
5. This unit shall keep at least two copies of its legal documents in separate locations.  The President and the Treasurer shall maintain the documents.
6. The budget shall be adopted each spring at a General Membership meeting by a majority vote.
7. This PTSA shall conduct an audit of its books and records at the close of each fiscal year. A mid-year audit will be performed in January of each year if deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.
8. The elected President or Co-Presidents together with the elected Treasurer or Co-Treasurers will have the authority to designate additional authorized persons or delete persons from accounts with the banking institution.
4. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. The elected officials shall be the President, Vice President of Fundraising, Vice President of Volunteers and School Service, Vice President of Enrichment, Secretary and Treasurer. Each position can be shared with another elected official.
2. Officers shall be elected each April or May for a term of one (1) year and no more than two years in the same position and shall assume office July 1.
3. The election of Officers and filling of vacancies shall be conducted in accordance with Article VI, Sec. 6 of the Washington State PTSA bylaws.
4. In the absence of the President or Co-Presidents, the Vice-President or Co-Vice Presidents of Volunteers and School Services shall perform all duties of the President or Co-Presidents.
5. The Executive Committee shall meet every third Thursday from September-June.
5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. The Board of Directors will be named by the Executive Committee.
2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Committee, Principal, teacher representative(s), and the chairpersons listed below:
1. Art Docent, Enrichment, Hospitality, Legislative, Membership, Special Needs, Emergency Preparedness, Website and Colt Reporter Editor.
3. Board Members are encouraged to attend all Board of Director meetings.  An office or chair shall be declared vacant if that person misses three (3) consecutive meetings, unless excused by the President or Co-Presidents.
1. The secretary shall keep track of each Board of Directors’ attendance.
4. It shall be the duty of each Board member to present a written summary, revised procedures book and supplies at the end of his/her term. 
5. Each Board of Director position is a two, consecutive year position. The Executive Committee has the right to extend the position beyond two years; but, no more than three if the Board of Director is meeting the needs of the General Membership, in good standing at Board meetings, and working cohesively with the Executive Committee.
6. COMMITTEE CHAIRS
1. The Committee Chairs will be named by the Executive Committee.
2. The Committee Chair positions are a two, consecutive year position. The Executive Committee has the right to extend the position beyond two years; but, no more than three if the Committee Chair is meeting the needs of the General Membership, and working cohesively with the Vice President(s) that oversees their committee and the Executive Committee.
7. BUDGET
1. If a budgeted income item for an event or item considered a “pass-through” exceeds the budgeted amount, the corresponding expenses will be automatically increased to match the new receipt amount.  Pass-through is defined as a budgeted event, service or item where total budgeted receipts equal total budgeted expenses.
2. If the actual receipts from a fund raiser exceed the approved budget then additional expenses exceeding the budgeted amount may also be paid, as long as the Net Receipts from any such changes meet or exceed the original budget for Net Receipts.  Additional expenses must be approved by a Co-President and a Co-Treasurer and Committee Chair.  Net Receipts is defined at total receipts less Total Expenses.
3. The Executive Committee must receive written Budget Requests for Funds at the Executive Committee meeting scheduled prior to the upcoming General Membership meeting.  Any requests received after that date will be tabled until the next PTSA General Membership meeting.
4. The Board of Directors has permission to reallocate funds up to $500 without the General Membership’s approval.
8. MEETINGS
1. Dates and times of the meetings of this unit shall be established by the Executive Committee at the beginning of each school year.  General membership meetings shall be held to adopt the annual budget, approve the standing rules, elect a Nominating Committee and elect officers.  Additional meetings shall be held at the direction of the Board of Directors.
2. The quorum for transacting business by the Horace Mann PTSA Board of Directors shall be no less than ten (10) members. Each Board of Director’s position has a maximum of two votes.
3. Special meetings of the Board of Directors or the general membership may be called upon with ten (10) calendar days notice by the President or Co-Presidents, or by a majority of the Board of Directors.
4. The delegates to the annual State PTA Convention shall be the President or Co-Presidents and/or delegates appointed by the President or Co-Presidents with the approval of the majority of the Executive Committee.  The voting delegates will be determined by the President or Co-Presidents.
5. The voting delegates to the Lake Washington PTSA council shall consist of one authorized delegate per 100 members (1:100).  Delegates are appointed by the President or Co-Presidents.
6. This PTSA can conduct business via e-mail for announcements, reminders, and the transferring or sharing of information among Board members and the General Membership.
9. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of five (5) members. In addition to the five members, a member of the previous year’s Nominating Committee will serve as a mentor. The Nominating Committee shall be elected at a general membership meeting of the unit at least thirty (30) days preceding the election of officers.  No person shall be eligible to serve two (2) consecutive years on this committee.  The President or co-presidents is not eligible to be elected to or to serve on the Nominating Committee.
2. The Nominating Committee shall submit a written report to the General Membership at least fifteen (15) days prior to the elections. The report will name one (1) or more candidates for each office to be filled.
10. STANDING RULES
1. These Standing Rules shall be adopted each year at the first general meeting.
2. These Standing Rules may be amended at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors and/or general membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the quorum.
11. DISSOLUTION
1. In the event of dissolution of the association all process will be followed according to WSPTA Bylaws, Article XVI.
12. GRANTS
1. When it is decided by the Board of Directors and/or General Membership to grant funds to a school program, it shall be handled in accordance with Money Matters and PTA & the Law.  A grant agreement must be completed.
13. AWARDS
1. One or more Golden Acorn Award(s) may be presented annually to an outstanding volunteer(s).
2. One or more Golden Apple Award(s) may be presented annually to an outstanding staff member(s).
3. One or more Mannie Award(s) may be presented annually to an outstanding volunteer and does not have to be a member of Mann’s PTSA. The Mannie Award is an optional award.
4. A Committee of 4-6 PTSA members appointed by the President or Co-Presidents shall select the recipients.
14. SCHOLARSHIPS
1. PTSA scholarship funds will be used for programs and activities held during scheduled school hours (8:20-3:00) and will support student learning.
15. PTSA FINANCES                      
1. All requests for reimbursement shall include a receipt, and shall be submitted to the Treasurer(s) within 60 days of purchase and/or the end of a PTSA event.  All requests for reimbursement must be received by June 15^th. 
2. Should the PTSA receive an NSF check, it shall require the issuer to reimburse any bank penalties the PTSA may incur.  If the NSF check is not paid, including any accrued bank penalties, within 14 days of notification of insufficient funds, the PTSA will no longer accept checks from the issuer.