Contact: president [at] planopta.org
- Training materials and other resources [password protected area — use ID and password on back of PTA card]
- Hints on Problem Solving [pdf file]
- Questions a Board Should Ask Itself [pdf file]
- Council Delegate’s role [pdf file]
- Council Delegate report form [doc file]
I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Principals’ inservice program this week as I’ve presented “PTA 101”. Here is the handout that the Principals received suggesting what to expect from PTA President/Principal relationship. It’s a wonderful list of things that both parties should be doing to ensure a successful year.
Some other points I covered were:
Board Expectations: Each Principal should attend all meetings if possible and should have a copy of the PTA Bylaws and Standing Rules as these documents are the nuts and bolts of the PTA and includes rules and procedures that should be familiar to ALL board members.
Principals should confirm that they are indeed board members and should be listed in the standing rules.
Talked about the role of Council as a source of training and information. We can also be called upon to help local units with any problems or issues including financial dealings and personality conflicts.
Discussed our theme this year “D(iversity), M(embership), V(olunteers)—Driven to Succeed, as issues that we’re seeing throughout the district. How do we increase membership, involve underrepresented groups at school and in PTA and how do we get parents to give of their time and realize the importance of volunteering at their child’s school?
Financial Facts (and there was a lot of note-taking when I talked about this). Every unit should have insurance and a copy of the certificate should be given to the office manager per PISD policy. Part of the terms include: audit, two signatures on each check and confirmation that a non-check signer is looking at the bank statement each month. I also stressed the importance of minutes and treasurer reports at EVERY meeting, that most, if not all, units are required to file a 990 or 990 EZ annually, and that PTAs do not reimburse for sales tax.
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. Have a great week! Karen