Thanks for letting me know how your by-laws are written. Unfortunately, we do not currently have by-laws. :eek: That is to say, someone either tucked them away in a binder at school and didn't tell anyone or threw them out long ago. None of the parents who are currently active in the PTO have ever seen them. . .

SOOOO, last spring our board wrote a letter to the IRS requesting a copy of our original by-laws. We received a letter from the IRS a month later stating that they would get us a copy of them within the next 60 days. Unfortunately, we never got them. The IRS says that the mailed them. However, they would have arrived at the school during the summer. Our school's policy is to hold mail at the administration center all summer, so piles of boxes loaded with mail arrive in the middle of August. Needless to say, the one envelope we were looking for got lost. So, now I'm starting over.

IF YOUR PTO has a federal tax exempt number, but you have never seen it or your by-laws, here is how to request a copy from the IRS: Go online and download form 4506-A. Don't check any of the boxes! Instead, attach a letter requesting a copy of your need for these documents on PTO letterhead (I had to create letterhead on our computer - you may not use the school's letterhead as legally they are a seperate entity). If you do not have a copy of an official IRS letter stating that you are a tax exempt organization, you should request a copy in this same letter. (MI does not give out a seperate not-for-profit tax ID as other states such as IN do). Send your paperwork to this NEW IRS address: IRS, TEGE Rt. 4024, P.O. Box 2508, Cinn. Ohio 45201. BEST OF LUCK! Tammy

We have two year limits but there is a loop hole in our by-laws that doesn't prevent someone from making this a career. I will be honest here and share that I was the topic of concern. I have served two years as the Secretary, one a President, took a year off, two as the Secretary and this year President. The issues brought up was I could do this until my three year old graduates and not breaking the by-laws!
We agree the two year term is good but need to limit the time otherwise to advoid what I have gotten away with for years!

My husband teases me..."Way to go T- setting an example!" So much love!

Our group has one-year terms, with a two-year term limit for presidents. At the president's request, the board can extend the limit by one year by unanimous vote. (They put that in to try and make me president for life LOL.)

Our bylaws stipulate a 2-year term limit. Works well for us.

We hold elections every year and anyone that is a parent can hold any elected position. The person voted in as President tends to be someone that has served at least one other year and the Treasurer tends to be someone that is a stay at home because they do most of the purchasing and money running.

Over the years, our PTO has had several Presidents that have served a number of years in a row. About 10 years ago, there was an embezzlement incident and parents are quick to remind me that purchases were made with a wink and a nod rather than a vote. Recently we have had one and two year Presidents, which seems to be cultivating new ideas and a renewed interest in the PTO by both parents and teachers. How often do you recommend turning over the gavel and other board positions?