Standing Rules

2026-2027 Standing Rules

Name: César Chávez PTA

Federal ID Number: 90-0804306

National PTA number: 02682434

Council Affiliation: Portland Council, Region #2

State Affiliation: César Chávez PTA is affiliated with National PTA and Oregon PTA and as such is governed by the Unified Local Unit Bylaws and the Oregon PTA bylaws.

Fiscal Year: July 1st to June 30th

Overview

The César Chávez PTA is an independent, family-led organization that works alongside the school to support students, strengthen families, fund enrichment opportunities, and advocate for a thriving school community. While the school is responsible for education and day-to-day operations, the PTA brings families and community members together to provide resources, build connections, and advocate for the needs of students and families.

Membership & Fees

Any person who supports the mission and objectives of the Cesar Chavez PTA may become a member. Membership provides individuals with the opportunity to participate in the work of the PTA and to vote on matters brought before the membership. An individual's membership may be terminated by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors for conduct that damages the reputation or goodwill of the PTA or that violates the purposes, policies, standing rules, or bylaws of the organization. Any membership termination will follow applicable PTA policies and procedures.

Annual Dues

Annual local unit dues shall be a sliding scale of $0-$25. The $3.25 for National PTA and $8.25 to Oregon PTA ($11.50 total) will be covered first from donations for membership fees and, if necessary, from other unrestricted funds raised by the local unit.

Quorum

Quorum for each general meeting to conduct legal business shall be eight voting members. Once quorum has been established, one-half plus one of the voting members present shall be required to carry a vote, provided that those voting in favor may not consist solely of Board Members. The Chair shall not vote on matters before the general membership except in the event of a tie, in which case the Chair shall cast the deciding vote.

Quorum for each Board Meeting or gathering to conduct official and/or legal business shall be three Board Members. Board votes shall be limited to matters within the authority of the Executive Board, including matters requiring action between general meetings or matters specifically delegated to the Board by the membership. A minimum of three Board Members must be in agreement to carry a Board vote. In the event of a tie, the matter shall be postponed until the next Board Meeting.

Meetings

General Membership meetings of this association shall be held on a regular basis during the academic year. The schedule of meetings will be established at the beginning of the academic year and posted on the association’s website. Meetings may be held in-person or via audio or video conference so that all Members participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting held by audio or video conference shall constitute presence of a Member at the meeting. Board of Directors meetings of this association shall be held prior to the General Membership meeting. Additional General Membership or Board meetings may be called by Board Members as deemed necessary. The President shall serve as Chair during General Membership, Executive Board and Board Member meetings. If the President is absent, Members in a meeting will appoint one Member as Chair.

Order of Business for General Membership Meetings

  • Call to order

  • Presentation of previous meeting’s minutes

  • Committee & Board Member Reports

  • Treasurer’s Report

  • Presentation and/or Group Discussion

  • Adjournment

General Membership Meetings will be facilitated to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate. We will use structured discussion and engagement activities to create space for all attendees to share their ideas and perspectives. Only current members may vote during meetings when a motion is brought to a vote, although all attendees are welcome to participate.

Community members may request to present or discuss a topic at a General Membership Meeting by submitting an email to secretary@cesarchavezpta.org at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting.

Officers, Board Members and Executive Board:

Officers and other Board Members are elected by the General Membership, and may include Chairs of Standing Committees or Working Groups, provided the Chairs of such Committees or Working Groups are elected by the General Membership.

Executive Board

The Executive Board shall be made up of the Officers of the Association. The Officers of this Association shall be: President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall be made up of the following positions:

  • President

  • Secretary

  • Treasurer

  • Advocacy Coordinator

  • Affinity Group Coordinator

  • Bilingual Parent Outreach Coordinator

  • Communications Coordinator

  • Events Coordinator

  • Family Resilience Coordinator

  • Kindergarten Coordinator

  • Middle School Engagement Coordinator

  • Safe Routes Coordinator

  • Sustainability Coordinator

  • Volunteer and Membership Coordinator

  • Teacher Representative

Elections and Terms

Elections of Officers and Board Members shall be in May and the Officers and Board Members shall assume their duties on July 1st. Officers elected to fill vacancies will serve the remainder of the position’s term. César Chávez PTA officer terms will be 2 years. Current officer cycles include:

  • President: July 2025 - June 2027

  • Secretary: July 2026 - June 2028

  • Treasurer: July 2025 - June 2027

All other Board Members will serve 1 year terms. There is a 9 year cumulative term limit for all Board Members, including non-consecutive terms. This does not count time served in a vacancy. In the instance of an unexpected board vacancy, an interim Officer may be appointed by the Executive Board until the next general PTA election. Executive Board members, other Board Members and Committee Chairs must be members of the César Chávez PTA.

Committees and Working Groups

Committees are ongoing groups that meet regularly throughout the year to oversee and support key areas of the PTA's work. Working groups are temporary teams formed to accomplish a specific project or goal and conclude once their work is complete.

Standing Committees

  • Advocacy

  • Events

  • Family Resilience

  • Sustainability

  • Safe Routes to School

Working Groups

  • Annual Fundraiser

  • Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)

  • Promotions

  • Special Working Groups

The President of this Association may, with the approval of the Executive Board, appoint Special Working Groups as deemed appropriate. Special Working Groups go out of existence when the work is completed and the final report is received by the board.

Financials

Budget and Budget Amendments

The annual operating budget of this Association shall be drafted by the Executive Board. The Executive Board will convene in April and will draft the proposed operating budget, which will be presented for approval at the General Meeting no later than May. Executive Board Members can reconvene at any point that amendments to the budget are required and make said amendments. Any amendments made to the operating budget will be reported at the next General meeting. The Executive Board has the authority to reallocate funds budgeted from one purpose to another, as program needs change, or a Committee’s work is complete.

Non-budgeted Items

PTA expenditures for non‐budgeted items under $500 can be approved by the President, at their discretion. All non‐budgeted expenses under $500 will be paid by the Treasurer as long as there is appropriate documentation supporting said expense. Any non-budgeted items between $500-$1,000 will need approval by the Executive Board, as long as there is appropriate documentation supporting said expense. Expenses greater than $1,000 will be voted on by the General Membership at the next General Membership Meeting.

Reimbursement Requests

All reimbursement requests must be approved in advance before expenses are incurred. Once a reimbursement request and receipts are submitted to the Treasurer, one additional authorized reviewer must approve the request before payment is issued. Reviewers include the President and Secretary.

Signatures

Effective October 2023, only one signer is needed for PTA checks. Bank account signers include the President and Treasurer.

For the July 2025 through June 2027 term, President Lindsay Jensen will be the primary signee on all bank accounts, contracts, and other official and/or legally binding documents.

PTA Representation and Media Clause

With the exception of the PTA President, PTA Members shall not speak as a representative of César Chávez PTA, unless authorized to do so by the President. This includes, but is not limited to, speaking with the media, utilizing a social media platform, and/or speaking to PPS staff at the district or school level.

Dissolution Clause ‍ ‍

Upon the dissolution of this local unit, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more nonprofit funds, foundations, or organizations that have established their tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and whose purposes are in accordance with those of National PTA.

These standing rules shall be distributed by the second General Membership meeting of the school year and reviewed by the Chair at that meeting. They may be amended or rescinded by a two-thirds vote at any General Membership meeting if notice of the proposed action is given at a previous meeting.

Date approved: 10/13/2026

Date submitted to Oregon PTA: 10/31/2026

President: Lindsay Jensen

Secretary: Erin Wasley