Standing rules contain details about the day-to-day operations of a PTA. These rules have no mandatory wording and contain content dictated by your PTA’s specific needs. For PTAs who want to adopt new or amend existing standing rules, Texas PTA has provided Sample Standing Rules to assist you.

Adopting New or Amending Existing Standing Rules

• Request a copy of the Bylaws and Standing Rules Texas PTA currently has on file for your PTA.

• Form a committee of experienced and knowledgeable members who understand the inner-workings of your PTA

• Provide each committee member with a copy of the Sample Standing Rules, the current bylaws, current standing rules, and any recommendations from the executive board and membership. It is important to review both the bylaws and standing rules together to ensure that no conflicts are created with any new proposals.

• As the committee develops new standing rules, or considers amendments to the existing standing rules, they should decide if:

  ☐  They meet the needs of the Local PTA

  ☐  Their intent is clear;

  ☐  They are not in conflict with nor repeat any item in the bylaws; and

  ☐  They follow Texas PTA procedures and guidelines.

• If the committee chooses to recommend new standing rules or amendments to existing standing rules, membership must approve the new standing rules in their entirety, or the amendments by a majority vote in the affirmative, at a membership meeting. With proper notice, new standing rules and amendments to existing standing rules may be adopted with a majority vote in the affirmative.

• The membership meeting minutes must include an attachment of the new standing rules or exact wording of proposed amendments, for existing standing rules.

• After the membership has approved the new standing rules or amendments, complete the Bylaws and Standing Rules Submission Form.

• The new or amended standing rules are not effective until your PTA receives a stamped, approved copy, signed by the Texas PTA President. The average turnaround time for the Standing Rules to be approved and returned to your PTA is 4-6 weeks. 

PTA Name Change

Any Local PTA name change request that is in response to an official campus name change by the school district does not need to go through the typical Bylaws amendment process. That request can be expedited by following the steps below.

• The PTA President must email bylaws@txpta.org to request the name change.
• Texas PTA will verify the official name change and that the new PTA name matches the new campus name.
• Texas PTA will change the name on the PTA’s Bylaws and Standing Rules and email the amended governing documents to the PTA President.
• Texas PTA will notify the IRS of the PTA name change.

View the SPOTLIGHTS Bylaws and Standing Rules webinar.