Why No Co-Presidents

The Virginia PTA acknowledges that "sharing the work load" is a legitimate concern among our constituent associations. However, each local unit must recognize that there are acceptable parliamentary options available to help alleviate this concern. Co-presidents are not one of those options.

" Information for this article was obtained from a National PTA memo issued in 1998-1999 by the National PTA Bylaws Chairman to all state Presidents and state Bylaws Chairmen."

There are legal as well as parliamentary problems that exist when a unit installs co-presidents. For example:

• " When there are co-presidents, who casts the deciding vote when there is a tie vote? Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised points out that it is the presiding officer’s responsibility to cast the deciding vote when there is a tie. With co-presidents, how can they split one vote?
• In terms of legal contracts and papers, which co-president is responsible for signing such paperwork?
• Accountability for the actions of the PTA is important, both for the members and for the others with whom we work. Sharing duties and responsibilities, communicating with each other and others, representing the PTA, delegating and supporting the PTA board can be very difficult for people who know each other well and are friends. The potential for problems and misunderstandings is very great. Rather than having "co’s", local PTAs can delegate work to Vice-Presidents and other officers.
• If one of the "co’s" does something wrong (for instance, if a co-treasurer misappropriates PTA funds), the other person can be held responsible.
  Dividing the tasks for any position can be complex, and there will often be matters that have not been resolved from the outset which will cause conflict both between the two people and within the PTA.
• In some states, corporate non-profit law does not allow co-presidents."
  While some PTAs consider co-presidents as a means to "share the work load", we should remember that as stated above there are other parliamentary alternatives available that do not produce the legal and parliamentary complexities.

Vice-Presidents: These individuals are elected officials of the unit who have the same fiduciary responsibilities as the other officers. Bylaws provide the "how" and "when" these officers should be utilized to assume the duties of the president. Your unit could assign additional duties to the Vice-Presidents that will help "share the work load" of the President. Traditionally, Vice-Presidents are seen as "Presidents in training" and assigning additional duties will only further prepare them to succeed in the President’s office.

President-Elect: Some units have found this addition to their elected officers as a successful alternative. Modeling after the National PTA, they have amended their bylaws to reflect how this office is addressed by the nominating committee, which duties will be assigned to the office and how a vacancy in office will be handled. If you are interested in initiating the office of President-Elect, please contact a member of the State Bylaws committee for assistance.

It is important that local units understand that "co-presidents" are prohibited by the Virginia PTA Bylaws (Article V, Section 21, Local Unit Bylaws). To have co-presidents puts your unit in conflict with the Bylaws of the State PTA and deems your unit "not in good standing"—unable to participate in State and National PTA programs and projects (Reflections, membership awards, Outstanding Local Unit award, grants, etc.)

Instituting President-Elect Structure

Instituting the Office of President-Elect

What is a President-Elect?
The President-Elect is a position that requires a commitment from the person elected to serve first as the President-Elect then as the President for the number of years designated in the bylaws for each position. For instance the Virginia PTA President-Elect serves a 2-year term as President-Elect and then a 2-year term as President, making a 4-year commitment at the time of their election to the position of President-Elect.

What Are the Advantages of Using a President-Elect Structure?
An advantage to using the president-elect structure is that it allows the individual elected to that office the ability to concentrate on gaining the experience needed to fulfill the responsibilities of president when the term of president-elect is completed. They have the ability to plan ahead for their term in office and working with the current president of the association, more importantly provide continuity of leadership to meet the adopted goals of the association.

The duties of the office of president-elect are basic and include the following:

• work by direction of and in cooperation with the president and fulfill such other duties as may be assigned by the president.
• perform the duties and exercise the powers of the president in the absence or inability of that officer to serve.

It is extremely important to the success of the association that the president-elect:

• Communicates regularly with the president in governing the association.
  Supports the president in moving the organization to achieve outcomes defined by the strategic plan of the association.
• Knows and follows the bylaws of the association
• Undertakes the necessary leadership development to fulfill the role of president.
• Fulfills other specific responsibilities as designated by the association, president or executive board.

Many local units have adopted the president-elect structure to ensure continuity of leadership in the association. With the new structure, the responsibilities of vice presidents in the unit will change. For example, the president-elect would assume the responsibilities of the office of president when the president is unable to fulfill their responsibilities or vacates the office. There are other bylaws amendments that must be adopted in order to properly institute the office of president-elect. If you are interested in reviewing this structure for your unit, please contact the state Bylaws chairman.

References/Resources:
National PTA Annual Resources for PTAs
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised
Virginia PTA Local Unit Resource Guide Local Unit Bylaws
Virginia PTA Bylaws