Welcome to WSPTACon2022
Dear PTA leaders and members, Planning is underway for WSPTACon2022 and I am excited to share some of the details! There will be more to come on our website and in newsletters sent to registrants. We are thrilled to return in-person this year at the Lynwood Convention Center, May 20-22, 2022! However, we realize that…
Category:
Events
,
Leadership
Gift Cards, Families in Need, and Appreciation Gifts
Many PTAs have questions around gift cards – whether the cards are for appreciation, or to give out to families in need. Gift cards are a complicated topic, and the IRS has a great deal to say about their use. We’ll summarize some of the most common issues around gift cards here. Gift Cards as…
Category:
Leadership
That’s a Wrap! – Autumn Leadership Launch 2021
It’s time to celebrate a successful introduction of the first-ever virtual Autumn Leadership Launch (A.L.L.)! Many thanks to all who attended and volunteered. Registration exceeded what we had anticipated. Between attendance and the number of views of recorded sessions, this proved to be a popular training option for leaders statewide. If you missed it this…
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
The Value of Councils
There are 29 councils in Washington, and 71% of all PTAs in Washington are served by councils. WHY is being in a council important? If a school exists in an area served by a council, it is more likely to have a PTA: 66% of schools served by councils have PTAs, while only 16% of…
Category:
Governance
,
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
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
Are Local PTAs in Good Standing?
To be eligible to participate in PTA programs, grants, and awards at the state and national level, PTAs must fulfill the requirements set out in the WSPTA Standards of Affiliation (SOA.) Councils can support local PTAs with these requirements and ensure that everyone is able to take advantage of all the opportunities available from WSPTA…
Category:
Leadership
Plan for the Future: Engaging Future Leaders
Councils exist to serve local PTAs, to educate local PTA leaders, to create a stronger awareness and relationship between local PTAs and the school district, and to facilitate programs that are more effective on a larger scale. One of the biggest determining factors in the health of a local PTA is whether that local PTA…
Category:
Leadership
Considering an ONLINE Gambling event? THINK AGAIN!
Who doesn’t love a fun basket raffle, cake walk, or hosting a PTA casino night? We know that social distancing has made it a challenge to host live events, but it is important to know that ONLINE gambling in the state of Washington is strictly prohibited and considered a class C felony. How do you…
Category:
Governance
,
Leadership