I. NAME

This organization shall be known as “École Van Walleghem School Parent Council” and shall be referred to as the “Council” in this Constitution and its Bylaws.

II. GOALS

1. To enhance the education of our children and foster life long learning.

2. To act as an advisory structure to the principal and staff, presenting parental and community concerns and perspectives on school policies, activities, finances and organization, including:

a) departmental and locally developed curricula,

b) cultural and extra-curricular activities,

c) student discipline and behavioural management policies,

d) the annual budget for the school, and

e) community access to school facilities.

3. To participate in developing an annual school plan and to participate in any review of the school that the Minister of Education and Training or the school board has directed be carried out.

4. To act as a means of disseminating information about the school and about parental priorities and of promoting community understanding and involvement in the school.

5. To act as a liaison between the school, parents, community and other school support organizations for the purpose of information sharing and co-operation.

6. To act as an advisory structure to the school board in matters relating to the school division including the process of hiring and assigning principals.

7. To enhance communication, co-operation and collaboration between the parents, students, members of the community, school staff and trustees in order that the optimum education be achieved for all students at École Van Walleghem School.

8. To advise the principal about fund-raising and to undertake fund-raising activities to provide funds for programs and projects supported or undertaken by the Council. A minimum of one fund-raising event will be held annually.

9. To encourage parent involvement in the school, and to support programs that promote parent involvement. (new May 9/06)

10. To provide parent education and professional development, and a forum for discussion of educational issues. (new May 9/06)

III. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL

Voting members:

1. The Council shall consist of all parents and guardians of children attending École Van Walleghem School who shall be entitled to vote at all meetings of the Council including the Annual General Meeting. In this Constitution and in the Bylaws parents and guardians are referred to as “members”.

Non-voting members:

2. The Principal, Vice-principal and members of the teaching staff are ex-officio, non-voting members of the Council. However, if they have children in the school they are entitled to vote as members.

IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the following officers:

• President or two Co-Chairs (new May 9/06)

• Vice-president

• Secretary

• Treasurer

• Past President

• Building and Grounds Committee Chairperson

• Communications Committee Chairperson

• Education Committee Chairperson

• Fund-raising Chairperson

• Lunch Program Committee Chairperson

• Social Committee Chairperson

• Volunteer Co-ordination Committee Chairperson

• Other Committees may be established and dissolved by the Executive Officers, as necessary, to fulfil the mandate of the Council. (new May 9/06)

2. The goals and responsibilities of Executive Officers and Committees are set out in the Bylaws to the Constitution.

3. Executive officers shall be elected by the voting members at the Annual General Meeting of the Council which shall be held between May 1st and May 31st.

4. Council shall advise parents of the election process and current Executive Officers seeking re-election and any interested candidates, and their desired position in the April school newsletter or by letter at least 14 calendar days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Any other interested candidates must submit in writing to the Nominating Committee at least seven calendar days prior to advise of their intention to be elected for a stated position. The list of all interested candidates by position shall be posted on the school bulletin board and website 5 calendar days prior to the Annual General meeting. (new May 9/06)

5. At the Annual General Meeting, candidates may declare their interest to be elected for only those positions that do not have a declared candidate as per 4. above. (new May 9/06)

6. Executive Officers shall be elected for a one year term.

7. Executive Officers must advise voters of any potential or perceived conflict of interest prior to the election. (new May 9/06)

8. A Nominating Committee, chaired by the Past President with up to 4 persons who are non-Executive members of the Council shall be appointed by the outgoing Executive to seek candidates to stand for election to the Executive Committee. If the Past President is unable to serve on the Nominating Committee, the Executive will appoint another former Executive member to serve as chairperson.

9. The duties and responsibilities of the Nominating Committee are set out in the Bylaws.

10. Vacancies

a) The office of an Executive Officer shall be vacated

i) if by notice in writing to the Executive, the Executive Officer resigns; or

ii) if an Executive Officer no longer has children attending the school.

iii) if an Executive Officer is absent without notice from 3 consecutive meetings of the Council or Executive.

b) If a vacancy occurs on the Executive, the remaining Executive Officers may, after a majority vote, appoint a new Executive Officer to serve the unexpired portion of the term.

V. SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A special or ad hoc committee may be created by a motion of Council that a matter be referred to a special or ad hoc committee. The motion shall include the purpose of the committee, the number of members, how they shall be appointed and when they shall report back to Council.

VI. FINANCIAL AUTHORITY

1. Signing authority for cheques and other financial documents shall be vested in the President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer. Two signatures are required to execute each document, one being the Treasurer’s.

2. All financial expenditures must be approved by motion at a regular or annual meeting of the Council.

3. The Council shall appoint at the September meeting a person to review the financial accounts of the Council including the accounts of any Committees that are not part of the Council account. The person who is reviewing the financial accounts shall report in writing to the membership at the next regular meeting or as soon as possible upon completion of the review. The review is to be completed and presented by the November meeting. (new May 9/06)

4. The President is allowed at his or her discretion to spend up to a maximum of fifty dollars ($50.00) in a year and to account for this expenditure at the next Council meeting.

VII. MEETINGS

1. Council Meetings

a) All Council meetings must be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Members in writing.

b) A minimum of 5 Council meetings, not including the Annual General Meeting, must be held during the year.

c) A quorum consists of 6 members of the Council.

d) A motion is passed when it is approved by a majority vote of the members present.

e) Council meetings are open to all members of Council, teaching staff of the school, Board members and employees of Assiniboine South School Division and any interested members of the community.

f) Members of the Council can make representation on any topic at a Council meeting by contacting the President or Secretary at least one week in advance if possible, and asking to be placed on the agenda.

2. Annual General Meetings

a) An Annual General Meeting shall be held between May 1st and May 31st.

b) The date of the Annual General Meeting must be published 30 days before the date of the meeting.

c) Members of the Council can make representation on any topic at the Annual General Meeting by contacting the President or Secretary at least two weeks prior to the meeting and asking to be placed on the agenda.

3. Executive Committee Meetings

a) Executive meetings must be called by the President or by a majority of Executive members in writing.

b) A minimum of 3 Executive meetings must be held during the year.

c) The Executive shall hold its first meeting no later than June 30th following the election of Executive Officers at the Annual General Meeting and outgoing Executive Officers must be invited to attend the meeting.

d) Fifty per cent of the Executive Officers constitute a quorum for the purposes of a meeting.

4. Rules of Order - All meetings of Council, the Executive Committee and all other committees shall be conducted in accordance with Mr. Chairman: A Guide to Basic Rules of Procedure (2nd Revised Edition). If the procedure is not set out in Mr. Chairman, the procedure set out in the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern.

5. Voting by President - The President is not entitled to vote at any meeting except in the case of an equality of votes.

VIII. BYLAWS

1. Council may make bylaws relating to administrative matters and the operation of the Council including the duties and responsibilities of Executive Officers and Committees, but not including matters set out in the Constitution.

2. Notice to amend the Bylaws may be given by any member of Council. Notice to amend must be given in the school newsletter and posted on the Council’s Bulletin Board at least 5 days prior to the date of the meeting held to vote on the proposed amendment.

3. Where notice has been given, bylaws may be passed or amended by a majority vote of members present at any meeting of the Council.

IX. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

1. The Constitution may be amended at the Annual General Meeting by a two-thirds vote of members present

2. Notice to amend the Constitution must be given to all members of Council at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting held to vote on the proposed amendment.

X. DISSOLUTION

If the Council dissolves and no longer exists, any monies that are remaining shall be given to the school to be used for the