Standing Rules are detailed guidelines that contain additional information on who does what within the PTA. They set forth the procedures adopted to direct the PTA and to accomplish specific work. They provide continuity and guide the orderly transfer of duties from one administration to the next. They are a valuable training tool for the orientation of new board members and may contain any traditions or specific information that pertains to the PTA. Local PTA Units should have their own Standing Rules, which the PTA adopts to administer work. Standing Rules must conform to and may not conflict with the Bylaws. They are generally not adopted when a PTA is newly organized but are developed and adopted as needs arise. The following guidelines are suggestions and should be attached to the Standing Rules for ongoing reference and instruction. Standing Rules are more flexible than Bylaws. They do not contain parliamentary procedure and are updated as needed. Standing Rules are kept with the Bylaws in the officers’ procedure binders and are passed on to incoming officers. All Board Members and committee chairs should have a copy of the Standing Rules. The secretary has a copy of the Standing Rules available at all PTA meetings. Each set of Standing Rules is unique. No two are alike because no two PTAs are alike. The Standing Rules may be organized in any way desired, such as in articles and sections as in the Bylaws, in numerical order as they are adopted, by topic and sub-topic groups, etc. Developing Standing Rules is not difficult. They may be adopted individually in a General Membership meeting as the need arises. To adopt a set of Standing Rules, appoint a committee of at least three experienced, knowledgeable members of the PTA. Using the Bylaws as a starting point, the committee should consider each provision and then formulate instructions for applying it. Use the minutes of Board and General Membership Meetings and the experience of committee members as additional resources. After the committee prepares the Standing Rules, they are presented to the Board for review and then to the General Membership for approval by a majority vote. Standing Rules may contain as much information and detail as needed for the functioning of the PTA. The more details included, the easier the job will be for future board members. Standing Rules should include duties and responsibilities for individual officers, Board, and committee chairs. Helpful information includes any consistent person, date, location, time, event, activity, assignment, tradition, and process that occurs traditionally during the PTA year. Detailed information about the following additional topics and more could be included in the Standing Rules: •Titles and specific duties of the Vice-Presidents •Orientation of new Board Members •Procedure binders •Meetings •Details for standing and special committees, which might include finance, membership, public relations, newsletter, volunteers, programs, legislation, Reflections, budget, teacher appreciation, hospitality, etc. •Committee duties, who serves on them, and how committee members are determined •Needs assessment •Student involvement •Fiscal policies and procedures, including location of banking details •Installation of new officers •Requirements for special recognitions and awards •Equipment the PTA owns and where it is located •LAPTA meetings and who attends Download a sample Standing Rules below in PDF or Word formats.