SAA Parent Organization Executive Committee By-Laws

1. Name of Organization
Syracuse Arts Academy Parent Organization Executive Committee, also known as SAA POEC, Parent Organization, and henceforth referred to as POEC.

2. Object of Organization
The POEC has been established to organize volunteers to fulfill the mission and vision of SAA, implement extracurricular activities, act as liaison between Syracuse Arts Academy and SAA Board of Directors, and Families of students enrolled at SAA and to raise funds to support these venues.

3. Membership
Legal guardians of students attending SAA are members of the Parent Association. No membership fees are required.

4. Officers: Election and Terms
Chairman and Co-Chairman shall be elected by the majority of membership. Election shall take place before the end of the previous school year, i.e. vote in April for service in next school year. Any member interested in running for these offices is encouraged. At a minimum, a weeklong election will be held with ballots given to members through email, internet or other applicable manner. Term of office is one year for Committee Chair Positions. Committee Chairs may apply for a second year but shall not exceed 2 years actively serving on the POEC. The Chairman and Co-Chairman shall both serve 2 years, one year as co-Chairman and a second year as Chairman.
Additional Committee Chairman Selection will be done through a two week application process before the end of the school year. The current POEC shall vote on applicants. To be appointed, a 2/3 majority vote is required.

4a. Ex-Officio Members (Non-Voting members)
The Principal and at least one teacher will be encouraged to sit on the POEC. The former Chairman will also be extended the opportunity for one year.

4b. Number of Members
The Number of Committee Chairs, including Chairman and Co-Chairman and not including ex-official members, shall be no less than 5 and no greater than 11.

4c. Vacancies/Dismissal
Vacancies shall be filled through the same application process in whatever time manner deemed necessary by current POEC.
Resignation is effective upon written notice to the POEC, unless a future date is specified. Follow procedure for filling vacancy.
Removal of Officers. The POEC may remove any officer from office by a 2/3 vote of quorum. The POEC may appoint someone to carry out the responsibilities of said officer until the election may be held.

Grounds for Dismissal
1. Parent members who fail to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the POEC without 24 hours notice may be removed from the POEC by a 2/3 majority vote.
2. Parents who fail to attend 5 regular meetings of the POEC within a school year may be removed from the POEC by a 2/3 majority vote.
3. Parent members who fail to fulfill their responsibilities may be removed from the POEC by a 2/3 majority vote.

4d. Family Relation
A parent may not run for POEC Chairman and Co-Chairman if his/her spouse, or ex-spouse is already serving on the SAA Board of Directors.

4c. Officers: Roles of Responsibility (see addendum)

4d. Team Leader: Rose and Responsibility (see addendum)

5. Meetings
The POEC shall meet monthly. Meeting dates and times shall be posted in the Back to School Newsletter for the school year. Any changes or special meetings must be posted, on school doors, at least one week in advance and should appear in monthly newsletter.

5a. Quorum
A 2/3 of the POEC body shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present to hold a POEC meeting. POEC leaders may conduct business as usual and take action as long as proposals are
adopted by majority vote. The Chairman shall preside at POEC meetings unless he/she appoints another member to take his/her place.

6. Executive Team
The POEC Chairman, Co-Chairman, and Committee Chairman make up the executive team. The Executive Team may meet between POEC meetings in a workshop form. All action for approval must take place at a regular POEC meeting. The workshops are exempt from posting the date and time of meeting.

7. Committees
Committee Chairman will be selected by the POEC member assigned to the said committee. The Chairman will then recruit parents of SAA who volunteered to serve on each committee. The POEC has the power to create other committees as needed to research and collect data and parental feedback around specific issues of concern. A chairman will be appointed by the POEC.

8. Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules Newly Revised shall be the official Parliamentary Authority. The POEC shall operate under these rules of order.

9. Amendment
Any amendments necessary to these bylaws must have a 2/3 majority vote and 1 wee prior notice shall be given as to the date and time of meeting and include the wording for the proposed change.

10. Compensation
No member of the POEC shall be compensated for their services rendered. Any member of the POEC may be reimbursed for personal monies spent in behalf of the POEC.

Parent Association Goals and Responsibilities
The Mission of Syracuse Arts Academy is stated as follows:
"Syracuse Arts Academy develops respectful, confident citizens in a solid educational environment enriched by artistic expression."

The Responsibility of the Parent Organization Executive Committee (POEC) is to support the mission and goals of the school. WE, as members, are to:
 Be a support to the Board of Directors, Principal, Teachers, and Parents.
 Organize people, events, and activities which support the mission of the school and the development of its students.
 Be pro-active in accomplishing goals within given boundaries.
 Be a resource for parents in their efforts to assist the school and its programs.
 Encourage parents to volunteer and be involved in their child (ren)'s education.
 Raise funds for activities, programs, and items needed by the school and/or students.
 Create a calendar of events for the year.

In these efforts, we are to:
 Have good communication between committees, Chairman, Principal, and Teachers.
 Meet together regularly to plan and coordinate.
 Check phone and e-mail messages regularly and return communication within 24 hours.
 E-mail agenda items to Secretary in a timely manner.
 Delegate wisely, being an effective and supportive leader.
 Set clear expectations for our committees.
 Follow up and check on progress regularly.
 See activities through to the end, including clean up, returning things borrowed or used, being prepared to give a report, and organizing reimbursements.
 Not be a micro-manager.
 Motivate through positive speech and behavior, praising sincere efforts, and thanking parents and volunteers for their time and assistance.
 Anticipate problems and find ways to solve them effectively.
 Give credit where credit is due.
 Be open-minded and willing to see things from various points of view.
Most Important, have fun!! Remember that you are helping give your children, and the children of our community, and educational experience that they will build on for the rest of their lives.

Changes to POEC By-Laws

4d. Number of Members

The number of Committee Chairs, including Chairman and Co-Chairman and not including ex-officio members, shall be no less than 5 and no greater than 11.

All committee chairman are voting members of the POEC. Each committee will expand to having both an Elementary Co-Chair and a Junior High co-chair. These positions are non-voting members. In the event a chairman is not present for a vote one co-chair would fill that position. All committee chairman and co-chairman must apply and are voted in by the current POEC.


11. Finances

The Executive Officers will consist of the Chair, Co-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Each one will have access to POEC checking account to insure better accountability. In addition each is required to have a background check when placed in office. Failure is grounds for dismissal. The POEC will operate with a dual signature checking account. The treasurer presents a financial statement monthly at POEC meetings.