Bylaws need that general memebership approval, it usually takes alot to update or change them so this does sound funny. They want things their way, the last time we updated ours was a minor change and it still took two months to get the wording right. Crew chief summed it up great, no matter what you have bylaws, either the old ones or the new ones...they dont go away!

Bylaws need to be discussed, voted and approved by those attending a PTO meeting. Most are written that way and it would surprise me if any are not since then those in power would be able to create their own empire.
Bylaws should also include in their voting section that if parents cannot attend the meetings (work schedules, lack of babysitters, illness, etc) that volunteering X amount of hours would qualify them to vote. Not all of our parents attend meetings, but we keep a volunteer list for every event/activity on file during the year and those volunteering 3 or more hours are eligible to vote. We also offer absentee ballots for those that cannot the election. PTO's need to take into consideration that not everyone can attend.
If more board members act in the manner that was described above, they will find themselves without financial support during their fundraisers, without volunteers and the students having to suffer the consequences.

Sound like a 'slate of candidates' - it shouldnt be a ballot

Many PTwhatevers' have a 'Nominating Committee' that puts together a slate of 'Candidates' (not always by position but usually') they are then brought to the Memebership ELection Mtg and others not on that 'Slate' have to be 'Nominated' from the floor to run (to be on ballot to be elected to) a position.

The bylaws usually cover how this is done

ALL PTwhatevers should have bylaws, books, etc OPEN to anyone whom requests it....

IF it stinks like a fish, if it looks like a fish... It it is Fishy...

The ballot that the board is sending out list 9 people's names. It does not list board positions next to them. The current board says that once the names of the individuals are listed on the ballot and voted on, then in May the members get together and decide who wants to do what. I want to run for PTO President, this seems like an odd way to handle an election. Also, the members of the Board make all of the voting decisions without consulting the membership. There answer to this was that the Principle ultimately makes the decisions. I am really confused by this.. input would be appreciated. The current board worked as "committee's" this year as they did not have a president. They would like to keep it this way for next year, even though most of them are not returning...execept for two. Comments appreciated..

If your bylaws arent posted on the pto board somewhere, or in a binder accessible to all without asking, or posted on the district website, ie SOMEWHERE where general members can read them without asking , something is not quite right. At the very least, upon request, any parent shuld receive a copy.

At public schools, these things are public by definition. and if youre a non profit org, its also public info by definition.

Our bylaws require a vote by the general membership in order to make any changes. Sounds like a dirty deal to me and I wouldn't keep quiet about it either.