Organizing a Local Unit:
How to Conduct the Organizational Meeting

1. Call the meeting to order. The chair of the planning committee explains the purpose of the meeting and introduces speakers who explain the policies and purposes of the PTA. Include representatives of the state, district, and/or council PTAs.

2. Move to organize. The chair calls for a motion to organize a local PTA. The PTA is officially established when the motion is made, receives a second, and is carried by a majority vote.

3. Distribute and present bylaws. A member of the temporary bylaws committee reads the proposed bylaws and calls attention to articles and sections required for all PTA units. The committee member then moves their adoption. Each article is then read separately so that amendments, if any, can be considered and acted on. As each amendment is offered, it is stated by the committee member, debated, and voted on immediately. A majority vote is required for adoption. Final motion is made to adopt bylaws as amended.

4. Hold a short intermission and enroll members. On payment of dues (amount decided on during adoption of bylaws), people become charter members of the new PTA. An accurate list of members should be kept.

5. Call for nominating committee report and nominations from the floor. The chair reconvenes the meeting for nominations and elections. All candidates nominated must be members of the PTA and their consent must be obtained before their names are submitted for nomination. The election should be by ballot, unless there is only one nominee, in which case the election may be by voice vote. Officers should be voted on one by one. Only members may vote.

6. Install newly elected officers. The state, district or council PTA representative would be an appropriate person to perform the installation.

7. The newly elected president takes the chair and calls for further business (deciding on date of first regular meeting, etc.).

8. Adjourn meeting.