Standing Rules

Standing rules are the procedures of the organization, or general policy that are not included in the bylaws. They cannot be in conflict with the bylaws. Unlike bylaws, standing rules can be changed or amended at any time, with a two-thirds vote of the board of managers. Standing rules are unique to each specific PTA, and are for the use of the PTA board, therefore they do not need to be sent to the state or district offices. Standing rules make the frequent/common actions simpler and provide for fairness and continuity of board decisions. They are the details of daily PTA work.

A few examples of standing rules and bylaws:

Bylaws state how many general meetings of the association are held.

Standing Rules tell when and what time these meetings are held.

Bylaws give the number of officers for a specific PTA.

Standing Rules give the specific officers’ duties and list the standing committees.

Bylaws state that a PTA must conduct the parent representative to the school SBDM Council.

Standing Rules give the specifics of carrying out the election.

Some examples of what Standing Rules can include:

• Duties of officers and other board members.
• A list of officers and committee chairmen that will comprise your board. (Don’t forget to include your counselor and FRYSC coordinator.)
• To whom officers and other board members should submit plans of work for approval.
• Provisions for expense reimbursement for board members.
• Provisions for gifts for retiring staff, faculty, retiring officers.
• If, and to whom, and under what circumstances flowers, gifts or cards will be sent.
• Amount of money to be spent on gifts for staff, faculty, and board members.
• Provision for notification when a board member cannot attend a meeting.
• Provisions for conducting the parent election of the SBDM council.
• Delegates/members of the board who may attend the state, district and other PTA events at your PTA’s expense. (i.e. State PTA convention, Ky. PTA Leadership Conference, legislative training, Awards Banquet, and district conferences.)
• Who will receive subscriptions to the Ky. PTA bulletin, and the national PTA magazine at your PTA’s expense.
• When board meetings will be held.
• Committees that your board will include.
• Who the check signers will be (it’s best to have three—usually the president, treasurer, and one other officer)
• Policy regarding handling money
• Who will buy and present the outgoing president’s pin.
• Provision for notification when a board member cannot attend a meeting.
• Provisions of replacing a board member, should the board member miss too many meetings unexcused, or fail to carryout his/her responsibilities.
• Standard expectations of board members.