Constitution of Sligo Grammar School Parents Association

1. Name:

The Association shall be called Sligo Grammar School Parents’ Association.

2. Objectives:

(a) The promotion of parents and guardians as those entrusted with the primary responsibility of the education of their children.
(b) The advancement of the education and welfare of the pupils in accordance with the Church of Ireland and Protestant traditions of the school.
(c) The fostering of understanding and co-operation among parents, teachers, the board of Directors and the Board of Management.
(d) The promotion of social and educational activities.

Through affiliation with Compass, to ensure that:
(e) Parents are informed of developments in education.
(f) Parents have an effective voice in such developments.

The Association shall not be a forum for complaints against the Headmaster, teaching staff, Board of Management, Board of Directors, parents of children or pupils of the school. The Association shall not be concerned with the administration of the school.

3. Membership

Membership shall be open to all parents or guardians of registered pupils attending the School in the current school year (commencing 1st September)

4. Affiliation

The Association shall be affiliated to Compass. (www.compasspa.ie)

5. Subscription

Rates of subscription shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting.

6. Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting shall be held prior to the end of October in the current school year. Fourteen days notice including the agenda of the meeting shall be given to each member.

7. Committee

The Committee shall consist of one ex-officio member in the person of the Headmaster of the School or his/her nominated representative, together with ten ordinary members including those elected to serve as officers. At least three of the ordinary members shall be parents or guardians of Boarders. No person may be elected to the committee for a fourth consecutive term.

8. Officers of The Committee

The Officers of the Committee shall be the Chairperson, the Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer.  They shall be elected by the Committee at the first meeting after the Annual General Meeting.  They will submit annual reports for consideration and approval by the members attending the Annual General Meeting.  A copy of the Annual Reports will be made available to school authorities.

9. Election of Ordinary Members

(a) Eight members shall be elected to the Committee at the Annual General Meeting each year. No nomination shall be accepted unless the nominee has consented to serve if elected. Nominations shall be proposed and seconded. Should more than the requisite numbers of nominations be received for any election then a secret ballot shall be held. Should any ballot produce a tie, then the election shall be decided by the casting vote of the Chairperson.
(b) The period of office for members elected to the Committee shall be the current school year. Past members shall be eligible for re-election.
(c) The Committee shall have the power to co-opt not more than three additional members who shall be members of the Association.

10. Committee Meetings

The Committee shall meet at least once in each school term. Further meetings of the Committee may be held as the Committee itself decides or at the request of any three members of the Committee. Seven days clear notice including the agenda shall be given to each member of the Committee.

11. Sub Committees / Working Groups

The Committee may constitute and dissolve Sub Committees of the Association and Working Groups, as it considers necessary, to achieve the objectives of the Association. Any such bodies will be accountable to the Committee.

12 Board of Management Representatives

The Committee of the Parents’ Association shall forward two of its number as parent representatives to the Board of Management of the school. Elections shall take place every three years. In agreeing to serve, parent members of the Board of Management must put aside a representational role and assume a management role with responsibility for overall management in the school. The Parents’ Association may be briefed on non-confidential areas of Board of Management business which is of relevance to parents.

13. Quorum

The quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be six, including the Headmaster or his/her nominated representative.

14. Amendment of the Constitution

A proposal to amend the Constitution of the Association shall be signed by six members, and shall be delivered to the Honorary Secretary of the Committee at least four weeks before the Annual General Meeting so that the proposal may be issued with the notice convening that meeting.

15. Dissolution

The dissolution of the Association shall require a General Meeting. In the event of the dissolution of the Association all its assets shall pass to the school.