Bylaws form the legally binding document that governs an association.

Bylaws are designed to help a PTA group function in an orderly manner. The bylaws of the association include all the rules that the society considers so important that they (a) cannot be changed without previous notice and (b) cannot be suspended. Every member of an association board should have access to a copy of the bylaws.

Bylaws must be updated every three (3) years to keep your unit or council in good standing with the State and National PTA. Bylaws are the backbone of your organization. All units and councils  MUST use the NYS PTA Bylaws WIZARD process which is user-friendly and takes less than 15 minutes to complete.

Once you have completed the review process, the bylaws are sent electronically to the Region Bylaws Chair (RBC), who will review them and after they have received your signed cover sheet, will forward them electronically to the NYS PTA Bylaws Coordinator for approval. Once approved, you will receive an email notifying you with a link to an electronic copy of the approved bylaws as a PDF.  Two (2) hard copies of your bylaws will also be sent to you by the Region Bylaws Chair.

Procedures

We encourage you to have written Procedures where the executive committee and executive board roles can be described in greater detail than in your bylaws.  The NYS PTA Resource Guide, Section 7 outlines information about writing procedures and includes examples of sample procedures for you to use.