The bylaws should include membership requirements, executive board election procedures, revision guidelines and processes and an explanation of how officers are nominated. They can also give insight on how meetings will be run, who will be responsible for which tasks and how members can be organized into committees or teams to make the PTO more efficient. The PTO bylaws should be broad and should not limit the power needed to run the organization smoothly.
Each member of the parent teacher organization should not only have access to the bylaws but should have a copy of them as well. The principal of the school and faculty members who are involved in the organization should also have access to the bylaws. For many schools it may be more efficient to simply have the bylaws posted on the organization's website for members to reference as needed. There should be a hard copy of the bylaws at each meeting in case a conflict or other concern should surface.
Each set of bylaws will differ from other bylaws in revision policies. Typically, the revision can be made by a two-thirds majority vote. General members may suggest amendments at regularly scheduled meetings. In some cases the executive board may recommend the revision of the bylaws when conditions in the school or community require it. These types of revisions will typically need a two-thirds majority vote to pass as well.
Each PTO will need bylaws in order to define the power structure of the organization and provide for efficient and effective leadership. By having bylaws in place, the organization is prepared to make plans and execute its duties with few complications. With bylaws, the school's parents, teachers, faculty and support staff can work in tandem for the benefit of the students.