Preparing for Transition – Phase 1
Believe it or not, it is not too early to start thinking about transitions in preparation for next year. To set up your PTA and incoming board for success it is important to start planning now. Imagine how you would want to begin a new term in your PTA, and create a plan to make…
Category:
Leadership
Not That Kind of Fishing
A phishing email is a bogus email with harmful intent carefully designed to look like a legitimate request (or attached file) from a site or person you trust. Its purpose is to get you to give up confidential personal information or download something containing a virus. The first thing to ask yourself is, “Do I…
Category:
Leadership
It’s Time to Form the Budget Committee
Governance. Powered by PTA. The budget committee is chaired by the current treasurer and is responsible for developing the budget for the next fiscal year (July 1-June 30.) Who else should be on the budget committee? Good choices are often the incoming president and treasurer, and outgoing president because they understand your PTA’s past and…
Category:
Governance
Transparency and Engagement with Meeting Summaries
Governance. Powered by PTA. PTAs strive to involve their members and communities in the work of PTA and often post meeting minutes online to be transparent and increase engagement. Unfortunately, posting meeting minutes is risky. Instead, encourage PTAs to post meeting summaries online! What is the difference between meeting minutes and a meeting summary? Minutes are a…
Category:
Leadership
12 Tips for ADA Compliance in Electronic Meetings and Events
PTA Inclusion. Now More Than Ever. For electronic meetings and events, PTAs still must provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities, under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and Washington’s Law Against Discrimination (WLAD). There is more information about both of those laws and how they impact local PTAs and councils in this blog post. Below…
Category:
Leadership
Set Up for Success with Standing Rules
Each local PTA and council has a set of standing rules that members of the board of directors must read and be prepared to follow. Standing rules are a legally binding agreement between a PTA’s board and members about how that individual PTA will be run. Standing rules need to be reviewed by the board…
Category:
Governance
,
Leadership
WSPTA Standards of Affiliation for 2020-21
Washington State PTA provides a Standards of Affiliation (SOA) Agreement Checklist to provide support and guidance to local PTAs and councils. The SOA agreement is in place to ensure local PTAs and councils align with WSPTA’s ethics, policies, and principles; maintain good business practices; and comply with applicable federal and state laws. PTAs are encouraged…
Category:
Governance
,
Leadership
Virtual Fundraising
Fundraising will look different for PTA in the 2020-2021 school year as families continue to navigate enormous change and uncertainty. PTAs may wonder whether they should even try to raise money, and if so, how they can be successful with virtual fundraisers. Here are four tips for virtual fundraising, and some fun ideas to get…
Category:
Leadership
Financial Reviews During COVID-19
WSPTA bylaws require an annual financial review to be conducted and submitted to the PTA board of directors and membership. However, there is no requirement for the financial review committee to conduct the review in person. If the county where the PTA is located is in Phase 2 or higher and the committee members feel…
Category:
Governance
,
Leadership