Nagoya International School

PTA Constitution

CONSTITUTION of the NAGOYA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I

Name and Definition

The name of this association shall be “Nagoya International School Parent Teacher Association”, hereinafter referred to as the “PTA”. The PTA shall observe provisions set forth in the Nagoya International School Constitution and Policy established by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II

Objectives and Purposes

The purpose of the PTA is to cooperate with Nagoya International School (hereinafter “NIS”) to advance the interests of the school and to promote the well-being of the students, parents, and teachers. To this end it shall:

1. Broaden the dimensions of NIS education through awareness of recent trends in education via communiques, conferences, guest speakers, procurement of educational materials, etc.,
2. Advance the moral, academic, and physical growth of the students by sponsoring or supporting activities organized to those ends,
3. Raise funds to support NIS and its students through activities and projects,
4. Promote understanding and cooperation among students, parents, and teachers.

ARTICLE III

Non-Profit, Non-Political Character

Section I
The NIS PTA shall be exclusively educational in character as delineated in Article II. It shall not be conducted or operated for its own profit, and no part of the net earnings of the PTA shall benefit any individual.

Section II
The NIS PTA shall, in its aims and activities, be politically neutral. It shall recognize the diversity of nationalities that constitutes NIS, and shall act to foster harmony by recognizing common concerns.

ARTICLE IV

Membership

Section I: Eligibility
The parents of legal guardians of students presently enrolled at NIS are automatically eligible for membership in the PTA, as are the present administrators, teachers and staff members.

Section II: Term of Membership
Eligibility for membership will continue for parents for as long as the son or daughter is enrolled at NIS. Membership for administrators, teachers, and staff members will be for as long as they are employed by NIS. Associate membership shall be valid until such time as the member chooses to no longer participate.

ARTICLE V

Executive Committee and Officers

Section I: Officers
The officers of the PTA shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and PTA Representative to the Board of Directors. No individual may hold two offices simultaneously, nor may the Headmaster be elected to any office.

Section II: Executive Committee
The PTA shall be governed by an Executive Committee consisting of the Headmaster or his designee, a Faculty Representative, and the chairperson from each of the four standing committees.

Section III:Term
The term of both Executive Committee members and officers of the PTA shall be for one year, beginning June 1 through May 31. All officers are eligible for re-election.

Section IV: Nominations and Elections

1. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of five members, two of whom shall be Executive Committee members appointed by the President, the Headmaster, and two additional PTA members not presently serving on the Executive Committee to be elected by a simple majority of those present at an Executive Committee meeting held not later than one month prior to the annual general meeting. The Nominating Committee shall elect a Chairman from among the five members. In selecting nominees, the Nominating Committee shall consider both the nationality composition of the school and the four main grade levels (Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and High School).
2. At the Annual General Meeting (hereinafter AGM) the slate prepared shall be read, and candidates will be voted on by the membership to fill the elected offices. Those candidates nominated from the floor shall be added to the list. The candidate who receives the greatest number of votes for each office shall be elected.

Section V: Responsibilities of the Executive Committee

1. The Headmaster or his/her designee shall serve as a direct liaison between the PTA members and the NIS administration.
2. The Faculty Representative shall serve as a direct liaison between the PTA members and the NIS faculty.
3. The President shall be responsible for calling the meetings and, in conjunction with the Executive Committee, for setting the agenda. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
4. The Vice-President shall assist the President as above and assume responsibilities in the event that the office of President is vacated.
5. The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the PTA and shall be responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all PTA meetings, including meetings of the Executive Committee.
6. The Treasurer shall keep careful accounts of the PTA funds and submit a report at each PTA meeting. He or she will also present a projected budget for the coming year at the AGM, and shall indicate projects that have been forwarded for consideration for PTA funding. The treasurer and the current NIS Headmaster shall be the co-operators of an account under the name of the PTA.
7. The PTA representative to the Board of Directors shall attend all Board meetings and serve as a direct liaison between PTA members and the Board of Directors.

Section VI: Distribution of Funds
The Executive Committee is authorized to vote on fund appropriations up to 500,000 yen. Allocations in excess of 500,000 yen should be voted upon at a general PTA meeting. Advance notice should be given at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote is to take place.

Section VII: Vacancies
In the event that an office is vacated, the Executive Committee may fill such by invitation, until the election at the next AGM.

ARTICLE VI

Committees

Section I: Standing Committees
There shall be four standing committees of the NIS PTA, namely, the Events Committee, the Fund Raising Committee, the Newsletter Committee, and the Volunteer Committee. Members of the committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee before the beginning of the new academic year.

1. The Executive Chairperson shall be responsible for organizing major social and educational events that will attract parents, faculty, or students each year.
2. The Fund Raising Chairperson shall be responsible for at least one major fund raiser during the year to support PTA projects.
3. The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for maintaining communication on a regular basis.
4. The Volunteer Chairperson shall be responsible for the coordination of parent volunteers to assist teachers on a regular basis.

ARTICLE VII

Liabilities of Members

No members of the NIS PTA, or its officers shall have any personal obligation in respect to PTA liabilities.

ARTICLE VIII

Dissolution or Liquidation

No part of the net income, revenue, or donations to the PTA shall benefit any member, officer, or any other private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered in connection with one or more of the PTA’s purposes), and no member, officer, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any part of the assets of the NIS PTA, on its dissolution or liquidation. In the event of such a dissolution or liquidation, the assets shall be transferred to the NIS general fund.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

These articles and or the accompanying by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the current membership (each paid membership as defined in the By-Laws being entitled to cast one vote) at the last meeting of the academic year (the AGM as specified in the By-Laws) provided that there is a quorum present and that copies of such amendments have been distributed to the members previously.

BY-LAWS

Article I: Address

The business address of the NIS PTA shall be the address of NIS.

Article II: Meetings

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held in May with other meetings called during the year at times determined by the Executive Committee. The agenda for the May AGM shall include election of officers, budget appropriations, and financial reports. Except in cases of urgent business, notification of the time and place of general and executive meetings shall be published in the school calendar or written notification shall be sent to members at least two weeks prior to the meeting date.

Article III: Quorum

A quorum for voting purposes shall exist when 15 members are present.

Article IV: Procedures

General meetings of the PTA shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order. General meetings will be conducted in both English and Japanese.

Article V: Dues and Special Fees

1. Members of the PTA shall pay annual dues as determined by the membership at the AGM. Payment shall be made with other school fees at the beginning of the academic year, but shall be deposited in the PTA account. For voting purposes, each paid membership qualifies for one vote (i.e., one family membership qualifies for one vote).
2. Members may from time to time be asked to contribute additional funds for special projects sponsored by committees and upon approval of the general membership.

- NOTE: Questions of interpretation of the Constitution and By-Laws shall be drawn from the English version.
- Approved at the May 17, 1996 PTA Annual General Meeting.