CONSTITUTION/BY-LAWS OF THE
PARENT ASSOCIATION
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BRATISLAVA

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be British International School Bratislava Parent Association (BISBPA or PA).

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

Section 1.

The purpose of the PA Board is to recommend programs consistent with British International School and state guidelines that contribute to fulfillment of the purpose of the association and commitment to Nord Anglia Education Group PLC Mission. The British International School of Bratislava Policies must be followed in developing the work of the association.

Section 2.
The primary function of the PA is:

1. Support and promote quality education;
2. Share with teachers the values that parents are attempting to develop with their children at home;
3. organize fun events for children to make their school experience more fun and joyful;
4. Provide a means by which parents may raise funds to help benefit the children and consequently the school; and
5. Fundraising and charitable events.

Section 3.

The PA Board shall be nominated by a nominating committee approved by the Principal and affirmed by the membership.  The nominating committee chair shall be called upon at the September meeting.  The nominating committee shall be formed by the end of each September. The proposed slate of officers shall be presented to the membership at the beginning of October and voted on by the membership at the October meeting.

Section 4.

If a conflict arises between the PA Board and the School administration, the matter shall be referred to the BISB Principal for final resolution.

Section 5.

The PA Board minutes will be presented at the following Board meeting for review and corrections.  The minutes will be approved upon Board acceptance of the minutes.

Section 6.

All written official communication of the Parent Association (with state institutions, agencies, and etc.) needs the approval of the Principal.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

The active membership of the association shall consist of all parents and guardians of students of BISB.  By contractual agreement, teachers are association members.  A teacher representative, appointed by the Principal, shall be asked to assume a voting position on the PA Board.  
The PA Board shall consist of the approved slate of officers.

Section 2.

The regular term of membership is two (2) years.  The terms shall be staggered as follows to provide continuity of the Board: The President, 2nd Vice-President, and Secretary shall be elected in the even numbered years. The 1st Vice-President and Treasurer shall be elected in the odd numbered years.

ARTICLE IV - RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

Section l.

The officers and members of the PA Board shall be the Principal, President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.  The term of office shall be two (2) years.  No person shall be eligible to succeed him or herself.

The Past President shall be an ex-officio member of the PA Board for a period of one (1) year.  This is a non-voting position.

Section 2.

The responsibilities of the officers are:

1. President: shall preside at all meetings of the association and the PA Board, appoint chairpersons of Standing Committees, and perform other duties as are incumbent upon this office. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees except for the Nominating Committee.
2. 1st Vice-President: in the absence of the President, shall perform all of the duties of the President. The 1st Vice-President shall be responsible for administering the education programs for the Association's meetings, shall act as Chair of the Public Relations Standing Committee as well as act in a supportive capacity to the other elected members of the PA Board. 1st Vice-President shall also act as Chair of the School Services Standing Committee, as well as discharge such duties as are incumbent upon this office.
3. 2nd Vice-President: shall be the Chairperson of the Fund Raising Standing Committee. He or she will implement all fund raisers in accordance with the school and Nord Anglia Education Group PLC policies, and the approval of the Principal.
4. Secretary: shall keep the record of membership. He/she will keep minutes for all the Association arid PA Board meetings. He/she will present minutes for approval or correction at the next respective meeting. He or she shall also notify all members of Association meetings and PA Board meetings.
5. Treasurer: shall establish a budget and maintain the PA operating fund, as directed by the PA Board. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the PA into the PA operating account and shall issue monthly financial reports pertaining to said account to the Principal, as well as the PA Board.

Section 3.

If the office of the President becomes vacant before an appointed term has expired, the 1st Vice-President shall serve as Acting President for the remainder of the school year. If vacancies in any other of the aforesaid offices occur, the President, with the approval of the PA Board, will appoint an interim officer.

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Section 1.

The regular meeting of the PA shall be held in the months of September, November, January, March and May. Each regular meeting will have an agenda, the previous meetings minutes and treasurer's report.  The treasurer’s report will present an overall account summary of PA account (asset report) and a budget performance report.

Section 2.

A written agenda committee reports, monthly financial statement and a copy of the minutes of the previous Board meeting will be made available to all Board members at least two (2) days prior to each regularly scheduled Board meeting.  The Board will meet the 2nd Wednesday of every month except December, July and August.  The PA President has the option of rescheduling if a quorum is not present.

Section 3.

At the general meetings, ten members of the Association including the PA Board members present shall constitute a quorum.

Five members shall constitute a quorum of the PA Board.

Section 4.

The following shall be the recommended order of business:

1. Opening    
2. Agenda
3. Business Meeting
a.  Minutes of previous meeting
b.  Treasurer's report
c.  Report of officers
d.  Standing Committees reports
e.  Special Committee reports
f.  Old Business
g.  New Business
h.  Announcements
4. Adjournment

ARTICLE VI - STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1.

Standing committees of the PA Board are:
1.  Public Relations

a)      Infants School Coordinator

b)      Primary School Coordinator

c)      Secondary School Coordinator

d)     Slovak Representative

2.  Fund Raising
3.  School Services

1. In-Class Volunteers
   
2. Field Trips Volunteers
   
3. Events Coordinators
4. Teacher/Staff Representative

Section 2.

The Chairpersons of the sub-committees shall be appointed by the PA Board and shall sit as non-voting members of the PA Board.

Section 3.

Ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the President; of the PA Board.  These committees shall be dissolved upon completion of their assignment.  The assignment should meet the goals of the Association.

Section 4.

The duties and responsibilities of both Standing and Ad hoc committees shall be determined by the PA Board.

Section 5.

The Chairperson of each Standing Committee and each sub-committee shall report to the PA Board at their monthly meeting and to the general meeting when appropriate.  If monies are raised, the money and a written account shall be submitted to the Treasurer detailing income and expense.

Section 6.

The standing sub-committees and Ad hoc committees for which chairpersons are not selected will not open for that particular school term.

ARTICLE VII - FINANCE

Section 1.

It shall be the responsibility of the PA Board to plan the fund-raisers of the Association.

A budget of estimated revenues and expenses shall be prepared to insure that a plan is in place to meet the commitment of the Association to the school.

Section 2.

The PA board is authorized to execute the budget approved at the May general meeting. All other expenditures are presented to the PA board members for approval. The expenditure up to 1,000 Sk by 3/5 of PA Board and from 1,000 Sk and up by 4/5 of PA Board.

ARTICLE VIII - BY-LAWS

A copy of these by-laws shall be provided each member of the PA Board as well as each member of the PA membership upon request.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

Section 1.

Members must be notified in writing at least two (2) days in advance of the general meeting at which the by-laws amendment is to be addressed. These amendments may be approved at the general meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.

Section 2.

These by-laws and all subsequent amendments shall be recommended to the general membership by the PA Board by a simple majority of the voting members at a meeting in which a quorum is present. They shall become effective upon approval at the general meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.

FINANCIAL POLICY

1. REVENUE RECEIPTS

1) The Treasurer will establish and maintain the PA Operating Fund and shall deposit excess funds in an interest account as directed by the PA Board.

2) All checks and monies received at all PA sponsored functions will be turned over to the Treasurer immediately at the end of each function or as the Treasurer and the Committee Head have agreed upon with the approval of the PA Board.

2. REVENUE EXPENDITURES

1)  The Treasurer is authorized to expend approved funds in the Budget and will maintain records to insure that the budget items are not exceeded.

2)  Persons authorized funds as approved in the Budget or by PA Board approval shall be re-imbursed by the Treasurer upon receipt of a voucher signed by the individual and accompanied with statements identifying receipts.

3)  The Treasurer will review all vouchers received for payment prior to any checks being issued.

4)  All vouchers and receipts will be turned over to the Treasurer 10 days after the conclusion of the approved function.

5)  Only the Principal, President and Treasurer are authorized to sign approved checks.

These by-laws were presented at the general meeting on April , 2008.

 BISB PA_Constitution.pdf