MSSM bylaws

Article I Name: This organization shall be known as the Maine School of Science and Mathematics Parents Association (MSSMPA)

Article II­ Mission: Support the mission of MSSM. Represent the parents and work with the Board of Trustees and Administration to develop awareness and financial support of the school. Promote student enrichment through recreational activities.

Article III­ Membership: All parents or legal guardians of current or graduated MSSM students are members of the MSSMPA.

Article IV Meetings: Semi-annual general meetings are held on Parent's weekends at MSSM (currently in September and March ­ see school calendar). The meetings will be run by the President or designee and all parents are encouraged to attend. Officers/Chairs will be introduced and highlights of any minutes since the last general meeting will be presented. A quorum of the membership will consist of those present at the meeting. All decisions will be made by simple majority vote. Officers may hold meetings as necessary at their discretion during the year. The Secretary (or designee) will submit the minutes for publication to the MSSM community.

Article V ­Executive Committee (EC):
President: attend MSSM Board of Trustees Quarterly meetings, work closely with the Executive Director, be a liaison between parents and the school, represent the PA to the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees, lead MSSMPA meetings, disseminate information regarding opportunities to support the school to the parent body directly or via the secretary.
Vice President: step in with the absence of the President, serve on the Board of Trustee Committee(s) as the parent representative, be a strong presence on the Executive Committee.
Treasurer: manage the PA checking account, track donations to the MSSM Foundation PA restricted funds, keep the PA informed of financial status of both funds.
Secretary: take notes at all PA meetings and publish on line, communicate effectively all PA business to the parent body, and publish any information from the Executive Committee to the parents.
These officers, together with the Chairs of the Residential Life and Publicity committees will form the EC. Other chairs will be appointed by the EC on an as needed basis. A quorum of the EC shall consist of 3 members, one of whom must be the President or Vice-President. All decisions will be made by majority vote.

Article VI­ Elections: All members of the MSSMPA are eligible to stand for election to the EC except those receiving financial or contractual benefits from MSSM. The current EC will publish a slate of nominees to be elected, but additional nominations may be made at the meeting. The EC will be elected by majority vote of those present at a general meeting and will serve for one year. EC members can be re-elected to subsequent terms. Any EC member resigning mid-term will be replaced by the remaining EC until the next election.

Article VII­ Finances: All expenditures will be approved by the EC and administered by the Treasurer. In the event of the dissolution of the MSSMPA, any remaining funds will be donated to the MSSM Foundation.

Article VIII­ Amendments: The bylaws of the MSSMPA may be amended by a majority vote at either general meeting.