Home and School Association

Constitution

Article I - Name

The name of this Association shall be the St. Matthias Home and School Association, hereinafter referred to as the "Association", located in Ridgewood, New York, 11385, in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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Article II - Objectives

The objectives of this Association shall be:

1. To foster a meaningful understanding of the ideals of Catholic Education, as stated in the School Philosophy, through communication, cooperation, awareness and responsible action.
2. To provide a vehicle of communication by serving as a forum in which parents can exercise their role as partners in their child's education.
3. To provide and facilitate fundraising activities for the primary purpose of supporting St. Matthias School.
4. To encourage, solicit, and organize parental support and participation in Association-sponsored activities.

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Article III - Respect for School Policies

The Association shall operate in accord with school policies and practices as set forth in the St. Matthias School Parent-Student Handbook and by the Pastor and school Principal.

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Article IV - Membership

Section 1 – Parents and Guardians

An annual dues-based membership in this Association is mandatory for all parents or legal guardians of the students of St. Matthias School in grades Pre-K through 8^th.

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Section 2 – Membership Categories

There shall be three categories of membership, namely: General, Faculty, and Ex-officio.

1. General Membership:
   Parents or legal guardians of children in attendance at St. Matthias School shall be considered general members.
2. Faculty Membership:
   All faculty shall be considered members of the Association.
3. Ex-officio Membership:
   The Pastor and School Principal, or their delegates, shall be considered members of the Association. Ex-officio members are not entitled to vote.

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Section 3 - Meetings

Regular meetings of the Association shall be held during each marking period on a day and time to be announced. Special meetings can be held at any time during the school year if the need arises. All members are entitled and encouraged to attend regular and special meetings.

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Article V - Voting

Section 1 – Regular and Special Meetings

All General and Faculty Members in attendance are entitled to one vote per person on issues that come before the floor at regular and special meetings.

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Section 2 – General Elections

General Members in attendance are entitled to one vote per family in the election of officers. Each Faculty Member in attendance is entitled to one vote in these elections.

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Section 3 – Constitution and By-Law Amendments

General Members in attendance are entitled to one vote per family for amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws. Each Faculty Member in attendance is entitled to one vote on these issues.

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Article VI - Governance

Section 1 – Executive Council

The Association shall be governed by an Executive Council consisting of eight (8) elected or appointed Executive Council Members. In addition, the Pastor and the Principal shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Council.

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Section 2 – Responsibilities

Executive Council Members shall share the responsibility for providing leadership and direction to achieve the objectives of the Association as outlined in Article II. of this Constitution. To achieve said objectives, all Executive Council Members shall be equally accountable for conducting all Association business.

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Section 3 - Decision Making

Decisions of the Executive Council shall be reached by consensus. The Pastor shall have veto power over Executive Council decisions.

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Section 4 – Term of Office

The term of office shall be one (1) year. No Executive Council Member shall be elected for more than four (4) consecutive terms.

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Section 5 – Installation

New Executive Council Members shall assume responsibility of office in accord with provisions stated in the By-Laws of the Association.

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Section 6 - Eligibility

General members of this Association, who are in good standing, shall be eligible for nomination for an Executive Council position. Faculty or staff shall not be eligible to hold an Executive Council position.

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Section 7 – Resignation

In the event an Executive Council Member is unable to complete his/her term in office, two weeks written notification of resignation is requested.

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Section 8 – Removal

An Executive Council Member who is delinquent in fulfilling his/her responsibilities, or whose conduct is detrimental to the Association's objectives, or to the reputation of the school, may be removed at the discretion of the Pastor.

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Section 9 - Vacancy

In the event of a vacancy on the Executive Council, a replacement shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Executive Council to complete that term of office.

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Section 10 - Viability

Failure to maintain five (5) elected or appointed Executive Council Members shall necessitate a mandatory meeting of the Association membership to discuss the viability of the Association.

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Article VII - Dissolution

In the event that the Association is dissolved, all assets, after payment of debts and obligations, shall become the property of St. Matthias School.

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Article VIII - Amendments

Section 1 – Ratification

This Constitution may be amended by a three-fourths (¾) vote of those entitled to vote in accordance with Article V., Section 3 of this Constitution, provided such amendments have been presented in writing and sent to all members two (2) weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote will be taken.

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Section 2 – Restriction

No amendment shall be considered which is in conflict with the rules and regulations governing the school as established by the Pastor and/or School Principal, or with the regulations established by the Office of the Superintendent of Schools of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

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