WOW...I'm assuming you aren't a K-12 school otherwise that would just be crazy!! Really, if you are just a K-3 or another short term school like that, really, the change is not outta hand. Now if this was at my K-12 school this change for us would make me the Secretary for the next 20 years as my oldest is 13 and youngest will be 2!!!!!
Robert's Rules suggests one year but really leaves it to the organization.
I agree though, it's hard to split up a team that works great together.

You rang?

Term limits are a definite nicety, but just make sure you avoid our "way it's always been done," when the pres steps down to 1st VP and the 1st VP steps down to 2nd. It sort of defeats the purpose of term limits (and the offices of 1st and 2nd VP)! My friends and I started a nonprofit that will hopefully act as lower-end foundation for our school, and in our by-laws each seat is for one year with a two-year term limit. It CAN be bypassed by a 2/3 member majority vote, just in case we ever get that stellar leader who is just so delicious that we just can't let go.

By all means, if someone is awesome and everyone loves them and it works for the group, keep them! I like term limits though; just in case. Just in case you get those people who have it in their heads that they're so scary-smart that they're the only ones who know what's good for the school and dismiss anyone else's ideas, just in case you get people with no way to define themselves other than being boss of the group and don't relish relinquishing their power, just in case you get a borderline sociopath who sees NO other reality than what they define is real and cannot be reasoned with. Am I giving myself away here?

Nice short terms with term limits that could be overridden I feel is a good choice. That way if someone is a nightmare they can be ousted, and if they are a dream you can keep them as long as they like!

[ 03-19-2004, 11:12 AM: Message edited by: kmamom ]

Our sample bylaws have it stated as a term limit of two "consecutive" terms. This is so that if a parent has more than one child (ie one is 8 and the other is 1- parent can serve two years during first child's experience and serve two years during 2nd child's or both are at a middle school at different times, parent can serve during both times)
Limits are good though because sometimes you get someone in their who is power hungry, doesn't do a good job etc and that may be the only relief in site. (Ask kmamom)

Hi Kyler,
We have term limist of two years for our officers. We also have in our bylaws the means to temporarily suspend a provision (like the limit) if the organization desires. This allows a method of letting someone serve longer as well as stopping someone from serving forever.
I think the two year limit is realistic to prevent burnout.

I realize everyone's bylaws are alittle different, but how long should an executive PTO member be allowed to remain in office. We are in the process of changing our bylaws, and some of the members want to leave it as indefinate as long as the person wants the position, their child still goes to that school and no one else wants that position. If someone does want that position, they must run against the existing member to win it. Which is a whole different story. We orginally had it set for a 2 year term, but changed it to a 3 year. Now they want to change it again.

HELP!!!! :eek: