Article I ~ Name

The name of this organization shall be Immaculate Heart of Mary Home and School Association.

Article II ~ The Purpose of the Organization

Section 1. The advancement of Catholic Education and the welfare of all the school children of this parish.

Section 2. To act in the promotion of parent ~ school activities and to increase, on the part of its members, interest in educational and civic affair.

Section 3. To enhance the parent’s and teacher’s role in the education of the child by: increasing their knowledge and its processes, by increasing their mutual understanding of children, and also by providing an opportunity for parent and teachers to work together for the good of the child.

Article III ~ Authority for This Association

The pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish has the responsibility for the parish school, and this association shall function only with his consent.

Article IV ~ Membership

The membership shall be open to individuals interested in the objectives of this association, and to those who express this interest by applying for membership. General Meetings shall be open to all members of the parish. All parents and guardians of children attending Immaculate Heart of Mary School are members of the Home and School Association. Those parents and guardians who pay annual dues will be given a Home and School Membership number, which will be used for election purposes and the like. Only paid members may nominate, be nominated, or vote. Pastor, Principal, and Teachers are exempt from payment of dues. Pastor, Principal, and Teachers may vote and nominate, but may not hold an office.

Article V ~ Officers of the Association

Section 1. The officers of this association shall be: one President, one Vice ~ President, one Secretary, and one Treasurer. Because of the religious knowledge required, all officers of the Association should be Catholics “in good standing.” The term of office shall be two years for all officers and no person shall be eligible to hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board. He/she shall: perform all the duties pertaining to the office, appoint all special committees, receive notices of all meetings, countersign all checks issued by the Association, and be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section 3. The Vice ~ President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, and assume the duties of the office until the next annual election if the office of the President becomes vacant. In addition, it shall be the duty of the Vice ~ President to act as Chairman of the Auditing Committee, as per Section 5 below. The Vice ~ President shall also be an authorized signature to countersign checks. He/she shall assist the Program Committee in the review of new programs or ideas that have been generated through Article XI (standing rules), Section 4. The Vice ~ President shall be considered as an ex-officio member of the following committees: Program, Constitution and By-Laws, Auditing, and Ways and Means.

Section 4. The Secretary shall keep a minute book showing true and accurate record of all meetings of this Association and of the Executive Board. He/she will handle such correspondence as the President and the Executive Board shall direct, and shall perform such other duties as the President or Executive Board shall designate.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall receive all dues and other monies and shall make disbursements only as directed by the Executive Board with the countersigning of the President or Vice ~ President. He/she shall make a verbal financial report at each general meeting. A written, annual report shall be examined and certified by the Auditing Committee.

Section 6. The ultimate role for each member of the Executive Board is to assist the principal, teachers, and staff in making Immaculate Heart of Mary School the best it possibly can be. This can only be done if the Executive Board strives to uphold the philosophy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the mission statement of IHM School. Ideas generated at General Home and School Association Meetings will be discussed at Executive Board meetings. Final decisions regarding proposed ideas must be approved by both the Pastor of IHM and the Principal of IHM.

Article VI ~ Executive Board

Section 1. The administrative body of this Association shall be known as the Executive Board. It shall consist of the Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, the Principal of Immaculate Heart of Mary School, the President, the Vice ~ President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.

Section 2. All matters of policy and administration shall be vested in the Executive Board.

Section 3. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be a majority of members of the Executive Board.

Section 4. Executive Board Meetings shall be held once each month, or at the Principal’s call or the call of any three members of the Executive Board. If any member of the Executive Board is absent without excuse from three consecutive meetings of the board, a vacancy shall be declared.

Section 5. The President, Vice ~ President, Secretary, Treasurer, Pastor, and Principal shall choose the committee heads and fill any vacancies among the officers of the Association.

Article VII ~ Elections

Section 1. Nominations may be made from any member of the Executive Board and from any dues paying General member of the Home and School Association. All nominations may be made up to one month prior to the Election, which shall be held at the last General Meeting of the year. Nominations will be accepted up until fourteen days prior to the Election meeting. All nominees must complete the official nomination form and turn it into the current President by the assigned due date. The consent of all nominees must be obtained before their names are submitted.

Section 2. No campaigning is to be done for said positions. Each candidate will be given an opportunity to provide a short paragraph of information about him/herself, why he/she is running for office, and why he/she possesses the necessary skills for the position.

Section 3. Voting shall be done privately by all those eligible members attending the Election Meeting. Each ballot shall contain: the candidates’ names, bio information, & the position being sought. There will also be a place for the voting member to check off the person he/she feels most suited for the open positions. Each family’s membership number should be entered on the ballot to insure that each family only gets the one vote to which they are entitled. Any eligible family who is unable to attend the Election Meeting, may complete their ballot at home. The family must request a ballot at least 3 days prior to the election. Their completed ballot should be returned to school on or before the election, so that it can be part of the final count.

Section 4. The voting shall take place at the last General Meeting of the school year. Upon entering the meeting, each eligible family will be given a ballot. The ballots will be completed and placed in a secure box. All votes will be counted the next day by a person or persons designated by the Pastor. A written announcement of those who have secured the leadership positions will be sent home in the communication folder so that all are able to realize the outcome at the same time.

Section 5. In the case of a tie, it will be necessary to ballot again for that specific position. Continued balloting would occur until there is a winner of the election.

Article VIII ~ General Membership Meetings

Section 1. There shall be at least three general meetings during the school year at such times as decided by the Executive Board.

Section 2. At a General Meeting, those present shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3. General Membership Meetings will have an agenda prepared and followed by the Executive Board. Prior to the General Membership Meeting, members will be given an opportunity via Thursday folders to communicate in writing any thoughts or concerns they have. This paper will be entitled “What’s on Your Mind” and sent out by the Principal. These papers must be signed in order to be looked at and considered by the Executive Board. The Principal will address concerns noted on these papers at that next General Meeting.

Article IX ~ Conduct of a Meeting

A Home and School General Membership Meeting shall proceed in an orderly, Christian-like manner. The Principal and/or President has the right to end a meeting that is not being conducted in this way. We hope that all parents are able to work together as one with the school community.

Article X ~ Amendments to By ~ Laws

Section 1. Amendments to current By ~ Laws may be in two ways:

The Officers, Principal, or Pastor may propose an amendment in writing, which must be agreed upon by the majority of the remaining Executive Board members

OR

A dues paying General Member may propose an amendment in writing to the Executive Board, which must be agreed upon by the majority of the General Membership at the next General Membership Meeting of the year. Section 2. Once Amendments to By ~ Laws have been agreed upon, they must be put into writing within 30 days.

Article XI ~ Standing Rules

Section 1. Expenditures up to $250 may be approved by the Executive Board without the approval of the Principal and/or Pastor. Any expenditures exceeding $250 must be approved by the Principal and/or Pastor.

Section 2. Copies of Treasurer’s Report shall be given to the Pastor, the Parish Finance Committee, and the Principal. A copy of this report shall be on record and shared with any General Member upon request.

Section 3. No fund raising activities shall be undertaken without the consent and approval of the Pastor and/or Principal. These monies shall be expended only upon their approval.

Section 4. If any General Member wishes to present some new proposal or idea, they may do so in writing to the Executive Board explaining his/her idea and signing his/her name.