Bylaws Committee

LaTonya Miller, VA PTA Bylaws Chair

Contact LaTonya

The main focus of the state Bylaws Committee is to provide SERVICE to our constituent associations by helping make the revisions/amendment process as simple, timely and consistent as possible. The committee works to ensure all local units, councils and districts have current bylaws as well as an understanding of their content and importance. Bylaws are reviewed by the committee for inclusion of required National PTA and Virginia PTA language and guidance is provided to ensure elections, nominations, etc., are addressed.

Please review the instructions and templates provided to make the revision or amendment process easier for you. Access the Bylaws FAQ for additional help or find answers to other bylaws questions in the Bylaws Library. To receive a current copy of your bylaws, send an email to the state office with your name, position, school name and district, if known.

Quick Links

• Procedures, Instructions and Format for 5 Year Revision of Local Unit Bylaws

• Procedures, Instructions and Format for 5 Year Revision of Local Unit Bylaws (units with a President- Elect)

• Visit the Bylaws Library for more forms and information - If you have trouble with any of the templates, please email the bylaws chairperson at bylaws@vapta.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To request a copy of your unit bylaws, email State Office at info@vapta.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Subject line: Bylaws Inquiry). Visit Bylaws FAQ for more information.

Email a bylaws question to bylaws@vapta.org. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

What are Bylaws?

"bylaw - a law of local application adopted by an organization or assembly"

Every level of PTA has bylaws - the local units, the councils, districts, the state and even the National PTA operate within the guidelines of a bylaw document.

Bylaws represent the most important legal document of an association, establishing and protecting the rights of the membership. A unit's bylaws link the association to the Virginia PTA and National PTA by which they are chartered. Bylaws represent the written contract between the general membership and their elected officials, specifying what duties and responsibilities are assigned to each respective group.

Bylaws are the key to:

• understanding the organization;

• answering questions about nominations, elections, board vacancies, duties of officers, auditing the books, etc.;

• and settling disputes and assisting with conflict resolution.

When your unit is having problems, remember to ask “What do the bylaws say?”

For these reasons, it is extremely important that all bylaws be current, clear in content, and accurately represent the way a local unit conducts the business of the association.

Bylaws must be revised every 5 years. All bylaws dated before 2005 are now due. All bylaws dated 2005 are due for revision in 2010.

PLEASE do not feel overwhelmed with the process of revision. We are here to help you.

View Bylaws FAQs