Constitution of Parents Assocation

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PARENT ASSOCIATION OF SCOIL BHRÍDE, PAULSTOWN

The Purpose of the Parent Association

The purpose of the parent association is to provide a structure through which the parents/guardians of children attending Scoil Bhríde can work together for the best possible education for their children. The parent association will work with the principal, staff and board of management to build effective partnership of home and school.

 The Aim of the Parent Association

The aim of the parent association is to enable parents to play their part in ensuring the best possible education for their children, through the association’s programme of activities. The parent association will promote the interests of the students in co-operation with the board, principal, teachers and students, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1998.

 The Work of the Parent Association

The parent association will undertake a programme of activities which will promote the involvement of parents and which will support pupils, parents and school staff. In planning its activities, the parent association will consult with the school principal. The parent association may advise the principal and board on any matters relating to the school in accordance with the Education Act, 1998, 26 (2)(a) 

The Membership of the Parent Association

All parents or guardians of children attending Scoil Bhríde. will be deemed to be members of the parent association.

 The Committee of the Parent Association

The members of the parent association will elect a number of members who will have responsibility for managing the activities of the parent association. This team will serve as the committee of the parent association.

The Work of the Committee of the Parent Association

The committee is the team that will manage the tasks of the association on behalf of the parent body (the members). The committee will draw up a plan for the activities of the association, in consultation with parents and in accordance with their wishes. The committee will be responsible for seeing that activities are run in an efficient and effective way. The committee will consult with the school principal when planning the programme of activities for a particular year.

The committee will arrange with the principal and Board of Managment a system for ongoing communication. Principal or delegate of the principal will attend parents association meetings.

At the annual general meeting (AGM) the committee will report to the parent body (the members) about its work. The committee will manage and account for any funds collected by the parent association.

Membership of the Committee

The members of the committee will be elected each year at the AGM of the parent association.

All parents are welcome to attend all meetings.

A Committee will be elected at the AGM each year with a minimum of 6 & maximum of 12 members. The Committee will be made up of three core officer positions: Chairperson, Secretary  & Treasurer. Where possible a Vice Chairperson, Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer will be elected as support. The rest of the Committee shall comprise of the other parents elected to serve on the Committee at the AGM.

However no member of the Committee shall hold the same Officer position for more than two consecutive years. This policy will maintain a balance of both new & experienced members on the Committee. Parents’ nominees elected to the Board of Management are automatically members of the Committee, but will not hold an officer position of the Parent Association Committee.

The Committee will aim to have as broad a representation as possible of parents/guardians of children from across all class groups

Members may go forward for election for a further year, providing they have a child in the school.

In the event of a vacancy arising during the year, the Committee will have the power to co-opt additional members to the Committee. If an officer vacates a position during the year a replacement shall be agreed from among the remaining committee members.

Co-options and Subcommittees

Subcommittees can be set up for particular tasks.

The subcommittees may also co-opt people to assist in their work. The subcommittees may not make decisions. They are accountable to the main committee.

Finance

The parent association will finance its activities through fund raising specifically for the work of the parent association, or through a small annual charge on parents to be agreed at the AGM.

A treasurer will be appointed from among the committee members and will be responsible for keeping the accounts of the parent association finances. The treasurer will give a statement of income and expenditure at each committee meeting.

A written statement of income and expenditure will be given at the AGM.

The parent association will keep a bank account in its name. The treasurer and at least one other member of the committee must sign cheques drawn on the account.

Fund raising for the School

Fund raising for the school by the parent association will be done with the prior agreement of the board. The parent association committee will agree with the board as to the specific school projects for which funds are to be raised by the parent association.

Membership of National Parents Council Primary

The parent association will affiliate to National Parents Council Primary annually.

Changing the Constitution

Changes to the constitution can be made at the AGM. Proposals to change the constitution must be proposed, seconded and voted on at the AGM.

All parents of children in the school at the meeting are eligible to vote on the proposals.