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Purpose

PILLARS (Parents Involved in Little Ones Learning Activities, Religion and Service)

 

PILLARS is an organization that focuses on social and service activities for families and children at the school.  PILLARS is an entirely self-funded group with an executive committee currently consisting of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and publicity chair.  All families at St. Matthias Transfiguration School are members.

 

We believe that strong family networking and involvement will increase parents’ positive impact on the school.  PILLARS has a strong interest in the education offered at St. Matthias Transfiguration School and in supporting the teachers. We welcome faculty involvement.

 

Our role within the school includes:

  • Providing volunteers for school activities.

·       PILLARS special events.  These include:

    • Hot Dog Days
    • Farmers Markets
    • Faculty Birthday Celebrations
    • Ice Cream Social
    • Art-in-the-Gym school year kick-off activity for students
    • Back-to-School Dinner Dance
    • Pancake Breakfasts
    • Speakers of interest to families

·       Serving as a forum for parents to discuss opportunities parents see to enhance our children’s school experience.  Suggestions relating to school administration, maintenance or curriculum should be directed to the Principal or to the School Board.

 

Funds raised from PILLARS are dedicated to items that fall outside of the school operating budget including, but not limited to:

    • Christmas gifts for children
    • Classroom enhancements
    • Field trips
    • Enhanced communication tools (ie. white boards with postings for parents)
    • Treats for the children at school

 

Please check the PILLARS page on www.values4life.com frequently for updates on meetings, activities, events, financial reports and other PILLARS news.

 

ST. MATTHIAS/TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL

BYLAWS OF PILLARS

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

 

The name of the organization shall be PILLARS.   The principal office shall be located at

St. Matthias Transfiguration School ("SMTS"), 4910 N. Claremont, Chicago, IL  60625  Phone: 773-784-0999.

 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

 

Section 1.    Parents Supporting Teachers.  Facilitate and organize parent volunteer activities so teachers can focus on individualized instruction.   We will strive to give parents and guardians an opportunity to be involved at SMTS as volunteers.  To serve as the inclusive vehicle for parental involvement at SMTS.

 

Section 2.    Parents Supporting Parents.  Provide appropriate activities and events that support parent/student networking opportunities and the sharing of individual and professional resources.  To create community among the families by providing opportunities for families to participate in social, extracurricular, spiritual enrichment and community service activities.  To provide education and faith enrichment opportunities for parents through workshops, lectures and seminars on timely subjects.

 

Section 3.    Parents Supporting School.  Provide a forum for parents and teachers to discuss school activities and programs appropriate for parent and student enrichment.  To sponsor and support all school related fundraising activities and conduct PILLARS sponsored fundraising events to fund school programs and projects for the benefit of a well-rounded educational experience.

 

Section 4.   Goals.  Each elected Executive Committee will set goals for the current school year to reflect the mission of the organization and staff all volunteer activities at SMTS.  Conduct sponsored activities and events for our children, the parents and staff that will build our school spirit.  See Exhibit A for a list of current activities and events.

 

Section 5.   Fundraising.  PILLARS does not exist to raise money; however, we do have some fundraisers that are used to better the educational experience for our children.  All income and expenditures of PILLARS are determined collaboratively with the Pastor and the Principal.

 

A suggested means of determining needed school items is the use of the "Wish List".   The principal and teachers compile a list of needed school items or programs to the PILLARS from which the organization can make choices.

 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1.   Members.   The membership shall consist of no more than two (2) Presidents (i.e. Co-Presidents), no more than two (2) Vice Presidents (i.e. Co-Vice Presidents), Secretary, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator and Member at Large.   All parents or guardians of students currently enrolled at SMTS are eligible to hold a member position and are considered Members at Large.

 

Section 2.  Ex-Officio Members.  The Principal shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee with no voting privileges; the Principal shall designate a member or members of the school staff to serve as the Faculty Representative(s), ex-officio member(s) of the Executive Committee with no voting privileges and a member of the organization shall attend Board of Specified Jurisdiction meetings as an ex-officio member with no voting privileges, and the Pastor - Under Canon Law - has exclusive veto powers in the event the members require a mediator.

 

ARTICLE IV - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

Section 1.   Members.  The Executive Committee shall consist of the Principal of St. Matthias/Transfiguration School, and the six elected members.

 

Section 2.  Duties.  The Executive Committee shall facilitate all PILLARS activities and programs.  See Exhibit C for all Member role descriptions.

 

Section 3.  Appointing Committees.  The Executive Committee shall form committees and select/solicit volunteer committee chairpersons as needed.

 

ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES

 

Section 1.  Committees.  Special committees will be short-term committees whose members are volunteers or appointed as needed.  A committee chairperson will be appointed by the President of the PILLARS , the Principal of the School or any other such person who has reason to be responsible for organizing the committee as long as that person has a direct relationship to the school. 

 

Section 2.  Governance of Committees.  Each chairperson of a committee, once appointed, will be responsible for organizing the members to serve on the committee and shall report their progress to the Executive Committee as requested to assure the committee is serving its purpose.  Failure of a chairperson to organize a group and report progress shall be deemed a resignation, and the President shall have the power to declare the position vacant and appoint a successor.  See Exhibit A for a list of the current active committees.

 

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

 

Section 1.  Organization Meetings.  There shall be no fewer than four meetings scheduled during the current school year at such times as PILLARS should decide.  The standing meetings should be set the first Tuesday of each month as follows:

 

·                 September (to set goals and priorities for current school year)

·                 November (to set goals and priorities for upcoming holiday activities)

·                 February (to regroup, track progress and vote on any proposed amendments)

·                 May (to finalize goals and priorities for next school year and election/re-election of executive committee members).  See Exhibit B for Election Procedures and current executive committee members.

Section 2.  Executive Committee Meetings.  The executive committee is a representative group of PILLARS and shall consist of the executive members of the organization and two ex-officio representatives. Executive committee members votes preside.

The duties of the executive committee shall be:

·                 To transact necessary business in the intervals between regular meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the organization or committees requiring or needing assistance.

·                 To create standing and temporary committees necessary to carry out the objectives and aims of this organization.

·                 To present a report of plans, projects, activities, etc., at the regular meetings.

·                 To approve routine bills.

All meetings of this committee shall be called meetings as deemed necessary.   Twenty-four hour notice should be given for special executive committee meetings. 

Section 3.  Rules of Procedure.  The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern PILLARS in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order PILLARS may adopt.  

Section 4.  Quorom.  Four members of the PILLARS shall constitute a quorom at any General or Special Meeting.  A simple majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorom. 

Section 5.  New Business.  Members will be required to request agenda time for new business prior to the next scheduled meeting.  Requests must be approved by the principal and president.

 

ARTICLE VII - MONIES

 

Section 1.   Activities and Events.  The main purpose of our events and activities is community building.   Fundraising activities shall be discussed and approved by the Executive Committee and the Principal.  All fundraising activities should have potential for a 30% profit margin.

 

Section 2.   Profits.  Profits from PILLARS will be used to fund school projects and programs for the benefit of a well-rounded education.  Monies can be designated for use among these categories:

 

    Fine and Performing Arts/Music/Language

    Athletics/PE

    Technology

    Capital Building Improvements

    Teacher and Administrative Support

    Religious/Spiritual Enrichment

    Library

    Endowment/Reserves

 

All income and expenditures of PILLARS are determined collaboratively with the pastor and the principal.  All monies are expected to be disbursed by the end of the fiscal year.  Enough money for summer operation and start-up of the school year can be held in the PILLARS account.

 

Section 3.   Budgets.  Proposed budgets for the upcoming year shall be submitted by the committee chairpersons at the Executive Committee and Parent meetings as requested.  Proposed budgets should be based on itemized costs whenever possible.  Projected spending needs to be based on itemized costs to insure that the spending is as prudent as possible.   The Executive Committee shall adopt an annual budget by majority vote after review and discussion of the proposed itemized committee budgets. Budgeted amounts may be changed during the year after discussion and vote by the Executive Committee.  Requests for budget changes and allocations of discretionary funds must be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee shall review and discuss all such requests and report its recommended action.

 

Section 4.   Transition Review.  A meeting for a transition review of the Treasury monies and a process overview will be conducted at the end of each school year.  This review will include both the current Treasurer and the incoming Treasurer.

 

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

The bylaws may be amended at any meeting of PILLARS  by a 51% vote of members present at a general meeting.  Notification must be made at least two weeks prior to the date such vote will be taken if amendments are not made on the first February of the current school year.  Communication of any changes will be sent out via email with two reminders prior to the general meeting.

 

ARTICLE IX - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1.   Nominations.  See Exhibit B for specific nomination procedures.

Section 2.   Elections.  See Exhibit B for specific election procedures.

Section 3.   Succession.  Executive Committee members may succeed themselves in the same office if no other members have been nominated and then elected.

Section 4.       Officers and Their Elections.  The officers of this organization shall be no more than two (2) Presidents (i.e. Co-Presidents), no more than two (2) Vice Presidents (i.e. Co-Vice Presidents), Secretary, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator, and Member at Large.  Officers shall be elected in May.  Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the current school year of their election. (i.e. last day of school in June following their election.)  Officers shall serve a term of two (2) years and/or until their successors are elected.  A person shall not be eligible to serve more than one (1) consecutive term in the same office.

 

ARTICLE X - DUTIES OF MEMBERS

See Exhibit C for all Member role descriptions.

 

ARTICLE XII - DISSOLUTION

To dissolve the PILLARS, the issue must be presented to the members and a vote taken as to whether or not to dissolve.  Upon dissolution, the members will decide upon a project for the betterment of the school and to spend ALL remaining monies.  All books and records shall be turned over to the school for future use.

 

ARTICLE XIII - MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 1.  No Compensation.  The time given by Members in pursuing activities in support of PILLARS, whether as such, as members of the Executive Committee, or as members of any Committee or otherwise, shall be uncompensated.  Only direct out-of-pocket expenses for an activity shall be reimbursed, subject to appropriate verification procedures.  No loss of salary or transportation expenses shall be paid or reimbursed.

 

Section 2.  Indemnification.  The organization may indemnify and hold harmless any person who is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he/she is or was an executive member of the organization.  Such indemnification shall be for the expenses (including attorney's fees), judgements, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the organization.  Any indemnification under this Article shall be authorized by (a) majority vote of executive committee members or executive committee members who were not parties to such action, or (b) by affirmative vote of a Majority of the members entitled to vote thereon.  Although current indemnification is provided by the Archdiocese, if the executive committee determines to do so, the organization may purchase and maintain insurance to cover the potential liability.

 

By Laws revision Control:

1. Original draft Version 1 - January 8, 2008

2. Updated Version - January 22, 2008

3. Final Version - June 10, 2008

 

EXHIBIT A - CURRENT ACTIVE COMMITTEES

AS REFERENCED IN THE PILLARS BYLAWS OF

ST. MATTHIAS/TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL

 

·       Art-in-the-Gym school year kick-off activiity for students

·       Italian Dinner Dance, Night, Picnic

·       Book Fair

·       End of Year Picnic

·       Farmers Market

·       Faculty Support (Birthday Celebrations/Teacher Appreciation)

·       Halloween Celebrations

·       Hospitality Committee (Open Houses, Grandparents Day, Back to School Night

·       Cookies and Carols Christmas Celebration

·       Hot Dog Day

·       Ice Cream Social

·       Market Day

·       Pancake Breakfasts

·       Parent Education/Social/Spirituality Committee (speakers of interest to families, education and spiritual, faith-based enrichment)

·       Uniform Exchange

Funds raised by PILLARS are dedicated to funding special projects or items for the benefit of the school community, including but not limited to:

·       Christmas gifts for children

·       Classroom enhancements

·       Field trips

·       Enhanced communication tools (i.e. white boards with postings for parents)

·       Treats for the children at school

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B - ELECTION PROCEDURES

AS REFERENCED IN THE PILLARS BYLAWS

ST. MATTHIAS/TRANSFIGURATION SCHOOL

 

Eligible Nominees:  All parents and guardians of SMTS students, faculty and school administrators are eligible nominees for this initial election.