September 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, One of the principles underlying parliamentary procedure in a meeting is that every member present should have an equal voice and vote. This is one of the reasons why I love parliamentary procedure. At its core, it is profoundly democratic. However, there are a few barriers that come with this. Members have to…
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Meetings
August 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, Our Local PTA Specialist, Tatia Vasbinder, assisted with this month’s article. Last month I wrote about purpose, both the purpose of Washington State PTA and my personal purpose. What I missed was the purpose for your local or council PTA. Do you know what that is? The stated purpose of any nonprofit organization…
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July 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, I have been thinking about “purpose” quite a bit lately. We are slowly, tentatively releasing the constraints that have held us back in the last year and a half. Much like the new year, it is a time for celebration and reflection. I am grateful for all of the fantastic work we have…
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May 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, What a year it has been! This month, members of our board of directors end their terms. This incredible group of dedicated volunteers has led us through some of the most challenging years that Washington State PTA has experienced. I know that many of them look forward to well-earned vacations and the chance…
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April 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, Spring is the busiest time of the year for the Washington State PTA staff. We are deep into our planning for the annual convention, our biggest event of the year. We also are busy preparing for the leadership transition as volunteer leaders complete their terms, wrap up their records, and prepare their successors.…
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March 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, The crocuses are up, the daffodils are about to blossom, and the tulip plants are at half-height! Spring is such a wonderful time of year. Our world is renewing, giving us hope for a warmer, brighter tomorrow. Hope has been on my mind quite a bit lately. As we rapidly approach a year…
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February 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, As a life-long learner, I am always taking courses, reading books, and otherwise trying to develop my talents and hone my skills. A few years ago, I took a couple of online courses in executive leadership. At the time, I wanted to learn more about what it meant to be an “executive.” I…
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January 2021 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, I love the new year. That was not always the case. In my youth, when my life was focused on science and mathematics, I thought that all of the falderal around the new year was just silly. Didn’t people understand how the calendar works, that it is all just arbitrary? The year just…
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December 2020 – WSPTA Executive Director Message
Dear Members, We are rapidly approaching my favorite day of the year. As a native of Washington, I have always been very tuned into our day and night cycle. Throughout the summer we luxuriate in our long days and late evenings. We treasure the extra time we can spend on our patios, decks, and in…
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November 2020 – WSPTA Executive Director Message
Dear Members, A good friend and mentor taught me a valuable lesson many years ago. I was considering whether I ought to take a job that I had been offered. I had told my friend that I felt that I was not qualified to do the job. He said, “Andrew, you are not qualified to…
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