How to Amend Bylaws

Click here to print a copy of these instructions (.PDF)

NOTE: The required procedure for amending bylaws is found under the Article titled, “Bylaws Revisions and Amendments”. ONLY BYLAWS WHICH ARE CURRENT, REVISED WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND NOT NOW DUE FOR REVISION, MAY BE AMENDED.

You will need a separate form for each amendment. The Amendment Form is in WORD, allows you to edit and print on your computer or you can download a Amendment Form in PDF format to complete by hand.

Note: Instituting Office of President-Elect - If your local unit wants to amend bylaws to institute the Office of President-Elect, the VAPTA requests that you use the revision process which includes the language for instituting the President-Elect structure. Click here to go to the revision process.

  1. A Bylaws committee should be a standing committee of your association. If not, form a committee that consists of an uneven number of members (suggest 3 or 5 members). The committee should include at least one experienced and knowledgeable PTA member. Following your existing bylaws, use the appropriate process to select a chairman.

  2. The chairman distributes to all members of the committee: copy of your current local unit bylaws and copy of the newest edition of Virginia PTA/PTSA Suggested Local Unit Bylaws. Click here to request a copy of your current Local Unit Bylaws.

  3. The committee meets to discuss suggested amendments. Focus the goals of this session on meeting the needs of the association, reviewing any proposed amendments to be certain that they do not conflict with other sections of the bylaws, formulating wording that is clear and whose intent is easily understood, and reviewing your current bylaws to be certain that all required “#” sections from the Suggested Local Unit Bylaws are found in your existing bylaws. If your existing bylaws vary greatly from the newest edition of Suggested Local Unit Bylaws, we suggest you complete a revision in lieu of amending your bylaws. Instructions for the revision process are found in the Virginia PTA/PTSA Suggested Local Unit Bylaws packet.

  4. Once the committee has come to consensus on the proposed amendments, the chairman presents the committee report to the executive board for approval to submit to general membership. This report should include: (a) current wording; (b) the proposed amendment; and (c) rationale for the amendment. After board approval and at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting where the action for approval of amendments will take place, publicize the proposed amendments to your general membership through your newsletter, a special memo, flyer or by placing a copy in a central location for review.

5. At the meeting where action on the amendments will take place, a quorum must be present. A two-thirds vote of the members present is required to pass proposed amendments.

6. Once approved by the membership, complete a “Bylaws Amendment Form” for each amendment. Complete all information requested on the form and obtain required signatures (the president, secretary and bylaws chairman). The original and one copy should be sent to the Virginia PTA/PTSA along with a copy of your existing bylaws. Copies should be retained by the president and secretary. 

7. Once amendments are approved, the originals signed by a Virginia PTA/PTSA Bylaws committee member are mailed to the association. The amendments should be attached to your existing bylaws and filed with the secretary. Copies of the approved amendments should be distributed to the executive board. The language of approved amendments is not incorporated into the body of your bylaws until your next required 5-year revision. Approved amendments do not change the revision date of your existing bylaws.