Session 301, 601: President to President

Anne Carson, PresidentBrenda Sheridan, President ElectVirginia PTA2012 Annual ConferenceJuly 13-14, 2012

Glad You’re Here!• Who are we?• Who are you?• 75 Minutes• A lot of information• Questions

OBJECTIVE:Given the materials and the timetogether during this workshop,

participants will identify at least ten(10) best practices for a successful

year as a PTA team.

Is that all? A PTA President’s Job

Description• Sustains and increases membership• Works collaboratively with partners• Encourages family involvement• Develops leadership• Oversees unit

Check List

• What you should have already done• Planning your year

PTA: What You Should Know

• Vision of PTA :Making every child's potential a reality

• PTA Mission:The overall purpose of PTA

A powerful voice for all children,A relevant resource for families and communities,

andA strong advocate for the education and well-being

of every child.

PTA Values: What PTA stands forCollaboration:

We work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations to accomplish our agreed-upon goals.

Commitment: We are dedicated to promoting children’s health, well-being, and

educational success through strong parent, family, and community involvement.

Accountability: We acknowledge our obligations. We deliver on our promises.

Respect: We value our colleagues and ourselves. We expect the same high quality of effort and thought from ourselves as we do from others.

Inclusivity: We invite the stranger and welcome the newcomer. We value and seek input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints and experiences as possible.

Integrity: We act consistently with our beliefs. When we err, we acknowledge the mistake and seek to make amends.

Public Trust?

• Who does this apply to?• What is this?• When is it important?• Where do we apply this?

Good Standing• What is a unit in good standing?

– Dues– Bylaws– Contact information for all officers– EIN (Employer Identification Number)– Audit– IRS Forms

All information is required by your bylaws and by law and must be on file in the state office

Preparing For Your Leadership Role

Bylaws• Be familiar!• Rights of your membership• Adopted by membership• Revised every five years• No conflict with state or national bylaws• THEY ARE NOT SUGGESTIONS!

Standing Rules

• Not as restrictive as bylaws• Details for administration of bylaws• Cannot conflict with bylaws• Can help avoid conflict• More info at vapta.org, bylaws library

Executive Committee

• Defined in the Bylaws• Develop Goals for the PTA• Appoints Committee Chairs

Executive Board

• Defined in bylaws• Officers are elected• Reflective of population• Establish communication plan• Members must support the majority

Financial Management

• President bears ultimate responsibility• Work closely with treasurer• Only the president can sign contracts• Insurance• Audit• IRS documents are filed!• NEVER SIGN A BLANK CHECK!!!!

President and Principal

• Should be a working team• Respect confidentialities• Always share meeting preparations• Set goals

Meetings (Planning and Running)

• Agendas are a MUST – adopt • President is chair……not the boss• Prepare, prepare, prepare• Welcome Everyone• Delegate• Know your bylaws!• Always say “thank you”

Financial Safeguards• Embezzlement is crime of opportunity• Checks and balances• Require written financial reports• Ask Questions• NEVER SIGN A BLANK CHECK!

Fundraising• Do not raise funds until you have

goals• 3-1 Rule• Always set a Membership Goal

Utilizing Resources• City/District Leadership• State PTA• LURG (Local Unit Resource Guide)• President’s Quick Reference Guide• E-learning Courses• Web sites- www.pta.org and

www.vapta.org

Conclusion• Questions• ?????????

For more information contact:

Anne Carson, President, Virginia PTA804 564-3430 cell

president@vapta.orgBrenda Sheridan, President Elect, Virginia PTA

703 615-2153 cellpres-elect@vapta.org

www.vapta.org