Frequently Asked Questions

Nominations from the Floor

Q: What if a person who wants to serve in an office is not nominated by the nominating committee?

A: Every qualified person has the right to be nominated from the floor in the event she or he wants to run for an office and is not on the nominating committee’s slate of candidates. This is a protection that assures that if any member feels the nominating committee ignored the best-qualified candidate for a position, that person can still be nominated and run for office. The choice of who is elected rests, as always, with the members. In order to run for election for a local PTA, candidates must be a member of this PTA at the time of elections. They must also send notification in writing, by the prescribed date listed in the Local PTA Generic Bylaws (Article 8, Section 2G) to the President, Secretary, and Chair of the Nominating Committee. If individuals that give notification are nominated at the election meeting, a ballot vote MUST be used to conduct the election for that position.

Q: What if the nominating committee is unable to find a candidate for a position?

A: The nominating committee should submit its nominating committee report on time with that position left "VACANT". It is better to find a qualified nominee rather than submit the name of someone unable to fulfill the duties of the position. If there is still no one to fill the position, the board of directors (as per Article 9, Section 2 of the Local PTA Generic Bylaws) has the authority to elect someone to the vacant position after the term begins.

Purpose of the Nominating Committee

Q: Why is the nominating committee elected?

A: This committee is elected to seek, on behalf of the members, the best-qualified candidates for future leaders of the PTA. Election by the membership to the nominating committee is a very high honor. This is the one committee on which the president is not an ex officio member.

Q: What is the duty of the nominating committee?

A: The responsibility of the committee is to identify, recruit and nominate the best-qualified candidate(s) for each elected position. To do this, the committee members must be committed to PTA; be willing to invest time to make it the best possible association; and be capable of holding candid discussions about the potential nominees, knowing that all conversations are confidential.

Qualifications of Nominees

Q: One of the children of the individual who has been nominated for office was just convicted of armed robbery. Should that nominee be asked to step aside so someone else can be nominated?

A: No. The crimes of one individual are not the crimes of another. The crimes of the child are not the crimes of the parent.

Q: If a member of the nominating committee has knowledge of theft by a nominee — should they share that information with the committee? (For example, they were leaders in Scouts together and the person running for office was convicted of embezzlement of Scouts funds.)

A: Absolutely. The committee needs this information to determine the best-qualified candidates for the PTA. However, if there are only suspicions of theft or if there was no conviction, then it would not be appropriate to share this information. Any discussions occurring at meetings of the Nominating Committee MUST remain confidential. 

Principal’s Role

Q: The principal wants to run for PTA president because he wants the PTA to raise funds to buy school supplies and other things. What can be done?

A: Interference in the corporate affairs of a private, nonprofit association is serious. However, any member has the right to run for an office. If this individual is the wrong person and will damage the association, the members will need to elect a better-qualified candidate. If the principal is using his position to intimidate members, then contact your field service contact or the NJPTA office for assistance. It may also be a conflict of interest for the principal to be elected president of the PTA.

Timeline for Nominating Committee

Q: When is the nominating committee elected?

A: The Local PTA Generic Bylaws state that the Nominating Committee MUST be elected by December 31st. It is best practice to have the committee elected at the first membership meeting in the fall. 

Nominating Committee Members Allowed Nomination for Office

Q: Can you be a nominee for office if you are on the nominating committee?

A: Yes.  Being a member of the nominating committee does not exclude you from consideration as a nominee for office. However, individuals being considered for a position should be excused from any discussion regarding that position. They may return to the meeting to vote to select the slated nominee. The fact that a member of the nominating committee did not participate in the discussion of one or more positions should be included in the nominating committee report.

Nominee’s PTA Membership Requirements

Q: How many days does a candidate for office need to be a PTA member before being selected for nomination by the nominating committee?

A: As per the Local PTA Generic Bylaws Article 8, Section 2D. All nominees must be members of this PTA at the time of written consent to their nomination.