CONSTITUTION

Article One – NAME

This organization will be known as the Saint Catherine Home and School Association.

Article Two – OBJECTIVES

To foster the primary role of the parents in education, this organization will coordinate the educational activities of home and school by developing and deepening a mutual understanding of Catholic education. For the benefit of the school, this organization will sponsor and support fundraising activities, which are consistent with the Saint Catherine’s parish policies.

Article Three – MEMBERSHIP

Membership will include all parents or guardians of students enrolled in Saint Catherine School. Membership will also include the Pastor, Principal and faculty along with other interested parishioners.

Article Four – STEERING COMMITTEE

The members of the Steering Committee will be the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Activities Coordinator, Public Relations Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Elementary Athletics Coordinator, Church Liaison, and Homeroom Liaison. One representative from the Steering Committee will represent the Home and School Association on the Saint Catherine Advisory Council.

BYLAWS

Article One – ELIGIBILITY

Any parent or guardian of a student enrolled in Saint Catherine School will be eligible for office, with the exception of the Church Liaison who need not be a parent or guardian but must be a member of the Parish. This person will represent the Home and School Association on the Parish Council.

Article Two – TERM

The term of office will be for 12 months. Officers will not be eligible to hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

Article Three – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

A Nominating Committee will be appointed by the Steering Committee Chairman. Nominations will also be solicited through a notice sent home to all students and from the membership at large at the May meeting.

Article Four – ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The officers will be elected through a ballot sent home to parents in the weekly news packet. They will take office immediately after the elections.

Article Five – MEETINGS

The Steering Committee will meet every month or as needed to conduct routine business.

General meetings will be held bimonthly during the school year for the general membership. Proposed meeting schedules are September, November, January, March, and May. All meetings will be open to any interested party.

The order of business for both the Steering and General meetings will be as follows:

Call to Order and prayer

Approval of the minutes

Acceptance of the treasurer’s report

Correspondence, Communications and Reports

Old Business

New Business

Open Floor

Adjournment

Article Six – VOTING

For a vote to carry in General meetings a simple majority (50% plus one) of those in attendance is required to carry the vote. Each person will cast one vote and must be present to vote.

Article Seven – STANDING RULES

The Pastor and school Principal will approve all major fundraisers and will receive a copy of the minutes and Treasurer’s Report.

Article Eight – AMENDMENTS

The constitution and bylaws of this organization may be amended at any general meeting. Proposed amendments will be submitted to the Steering Committee Chairman on week prior to the meeting and will be added to the agenda.

Article Nine – ABSENCES

Members who miss three (3) association meetings in a twelve (12) month period and are unexcused will lose membership. The following procedure will apply after the second unexcused absence: The chair person, school principal or pastor will notify the member; the member will be given the opportunity to respond; the steering committee may act or not act as the case may indicate. In the event of a vacancy of the steering committee, the steering committee will refer to those other people originally nominated for that position. If those people originally nominated for that position do not accept the position, the chair person, with approval from the school principal and pastor, will appoint a replacement for the remainder of the year.

Article Ten – The members in charge of the Steering Committee

a.) Chairman: Shall preside at all meetings of the Home and School Association and have leadership responsibilities over other members of the Steering Committee. The Chairman will prepare an agenda for meetings. The agenda should be mailed to the officers five days prior to the scheduled meeting. Agenda notices for the general meetings will be sent home with students five days prior to the scheduled meetings.

b.) Vice Chairman: Shall aid the Chairman and attend all meetings of the Home and School Association and perform the duties of the Chairman in his/her absence.

c.) Secretary: Shall maintain an accurate written record of all Home and School meetings, shall prepare minutes within 10 days after the meeting, mail to the Steering Committee and post a copy in a central location of Saint Catherine School. The minutes shall remain posted for all membership to review until the next general meeting.

d.) Treasurer: Shall be responsible for the financial transactions of the Home and School Association as directed by the Steering Committee. The Treasurer shall submit a monthly financial report to the Steering Committee, and/or general membership, shall be responsible for preparing an annual budget, financial report of special events and fundraisers and general accounting services for depositing and expenditures of funds.

e.) Activities Chairman: Shall be responsible for recruiting, organizing and coordinating activities and fundraisers throughout the school year.

f.) Public Relations Chairman: Shall be responsible for working directly with the media. This person is responsible for press release information, school newsletter, and public information about the Home and School Association and shall provide hospitality to the parents, students, faculty and families of Saint Catherine School.

g.) Volunteer Chairman: Shall recruit volunteers for the events sponsored by Home and School when necessary. Coordinate welcoming the families of new students.

h.) Athletics Chairman: Shall be responsible for organizing elementary sports teams and recruiting coaches. This person shall have general knowledge about sports areas and provide information in regard to organized community leagues.

i.) Church Liaison: Must be a member of the Parish. He/she shall act as a communication bridge between the Church and the Home and School Association. Shall be responsible for providing articles for the Church bulletin about the activities and financial report of the Home and School Association.

j.) Home Room Liaison: Shall provide information representing all homeroom activities. He/she shall serve as an advisor to Homeroom Parents, shall provide resource information on securing refreshments, holiday decorations, entertainment, field trips, entertainment and class parties.