Article I: NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Parents Association of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

Article II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the Parents Association is to support and promote the activities and needs of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. To this end the Parents Association will:

1. Develop a closer rapport and communication between parents of students and NCSSM;
2. Keep parents informed of programs and activities and encourage their participation in such activities;
3. Provide a vehicle for the transmission of parental concerns to the proper School authority;
4. Promote programs enlisting the financial support of parents and parent-related sources;
5. Assist in the admissions process by identifying and recruiting qualified student applicants.

Article III: MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Association shall be composed of all parents of current NCSSM students.

Article IV: PARENTS COUNCIL

The Parents Council is a committee of parents chosen from the Association membership to serve as an advisory group to the Director of the School. The membership of this Council is involved throughout the academic year in the coordination of the Association activities and the promotion of parental relations with the School. The paramount goal of the Council is to promote understanding between the School and the parents of its students. It is the duty of each member to do all possible to represent fairly the interests of the institution and parents. Recommendations by the Council on issues relating to student life, admissions, and other matters will be transmitted to the Director of the School for appropriate action. The Director, after reviewing any recommendations with the administrative officers of the School, will report back to the Council of any action subsequently taken. Duties of the Council shall include, but not be limited to:

• Service on Council committees
• Involvement in the recruitment and admissions process
• Development of the Annual Fund, student activities
• Communication with families in their congressional district
• Communication with government officials and civic leaders
• Service as a contact in the respective congressional district

The Parents Council shall be comprised of parents representing junior and senior students enrolled at the School. Each congressional district shall have at least (two) members, comprised of a junior and a senior class representatives. Up to five additional Parents Council members can be selected at large per class with the agreement of the Executive Committee. Representatives shall be invited to serve on the Council by the School utilizing the following selection criteria:

1. A demonstrated interest in education and, in particular, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics;
2. An ability to provide the leadership necessary to assure the success of the Council in the attainment of Association goals;
3. Class and congressional district representation;
4. Diversity appropriate to the student body;
5. Business, professional, or other specialized expertise which will be of benefit to the School.

Member parents shall be invited to serve during the first semester of their child's junior year and shall remain as members until graduation. In the event of a vacancy, the Chairman of the Parents Council shall fill the unexpired term with a parent from the same class and congressional district.

Article V: OFFICERS

The officers of the Parents Council shall also serve as officers of the Association and shall include a chairman, a vice- chairman, and a corresponding secretary. Officers shall represent the senior class and shall be nominated by a Parents Council Nominating Committee during the spring of their junior year for one-year terms. Nominations shall be presented to the Council for election at the final meeting for the Parents Council. With regard to elections and motions being presented to the Council for a vote, each representative or couple shall be entitled to one vote. The officers and two other Council members named by the chairman of the Parents Council shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Council. In the absence of the full Council, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to transact all necessary business on behalf of the Parents Council. The Parents Council chairman shall represent the Parents Association of NCSSM as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors of the Fund for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education in North Carolina , the foundation board which has the fiduciary responsibility for all private support funds for the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

Article VI: COMMITTEES

Standing committees deemed necessary to perform the functions of the Parent Council and to fulfill the purposes of the Association shall be established by the Parents Council. Committees shall include, but not be limited to, the Executive Committee and the Nominations Committee. Appointments to the Executive Committee and all other Standing Committees shall be made by the Chairman of the Parents Council. The chairman shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees, except the executive committee, on which he or she shall serve as presiding officer with a vote.

Article VII: MEETINGS

The annual meetings of the Parents Association shall take place during Parents Day or at any other time when necessary and prudent, providing the membership has been given at least two weeks notice. Members of the Parents Council shall meet at least three times annually during the academic year and more frequently if necessary. Meetings of the Council are open to all members of the Parents Association.

Article VIII- AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these by-laws may be made with approval of the President of the School and by majority consent of members of the Parents Council.