Thanks you all for the posts. They have been helpful and a good leg to stand on. I'm guessing the best way to handle this is to change the by-law portion of when elections are held and get them approved. We definately do not want people to think that the by-laws can be set aside anytime there is a problem or situation. Just another question and that is, do your officers have to be parents of attending children. Again, our by-laws do not specify that.

By definition, the bylaws are the rules by which your organization operates. So as a properly run group, you can't just decide to follow them one day and not the next.

However, you do have the ability to CHANGE your bylaws with the proper vote. I suppose that would even include throwing them out completely, but why not just change the piece that's not working?

Our bylaws state that officers and committee chairs may not serve more than 2 consecutive years in the same position unless approved by 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.

You bylaws will specify what majority of vote it takes for a change to bylaws themselves.

thanks for the response - was wondering where it is you learned that "by-laws" cannot be suspended so that I can learn more about it. We were very fearful of doing this anyway as it sets a model for someone else to do the same to meet their own objective. Can the by-laws be amended to change elections from spring to fall if it is presented at the final meeting?

You cannot suspend you by-laws. Even if you are not a 501(3)c, the by-laws are there for a reason, to define the functions of the group and it's officers.
Sounds like your principal is trying to exert pressure on you to stay to see it through. Our president stayed on one year to many and now she is burnt out and bitter.
Transitions can be smooth if you decide to stay on around in an advisor capacity. You can elect a new person who you could mentor for a year and they could do the same next year.

Okay all - I really need some advice here - the superintendent of our schools told me that since we were going to incorporate our PTO that we may want to consider suspending our by-laws until the incorporation is complete. That would mean that the existing officers would remain in place until this was done and then an election held. I have been president for 2 years. Our by-laws state a 2 year limit. I have no desire to be president next year as I have a very difficult principal, however, I think since this organization is only 2 years old, we need to make sure the transition is smooth. Any opinions out there??? Also, how do you all feel about teachers running for office?