Focus Newsletter for third week of May 

CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS 
PTACHC Awards Applications are due by this Wed. for:
· Joan Dykstra Award ($300 towards your PTA Program)
· Parent Teacher Collaboration Award ($100 towards your PTA program)
· MD PTA Life Membership award,
All applications on the website at: http://ptachc.org/Clocalresources/index.htm 

TREASURER’S TROVE- CAN THE PTA CARRY OVER FUNDS? 
The short answer is yes, the PTA can carry over funds and it is good fiscal sense to carry over some funds. It is better to start off the school year with fun activities and not immediately asking your parents for money and as a safety net for an unforeseen expense/emergency. As a rule, the reserve could be approximately one-half of a PTAs budget for an average year. 
Excerpt from PTA Money Matters Quick Reference Guide 

ELECTIONS

please remember to send Council your new officers contact information. The New Officers Directory Form can be found at: http://www.ptachc.org/Clocalresources/index.htm#forms  Please complete and email to ptachc@gmail.com or fax it to 410-740-1207. Due by June 15.

Thank you to BBMS, BPES, BSES, CCES, LKMS, WFES, 

NEARING THE FINISH LINE

Are your bylaws due, past due, or coming due in the fall?  Check this out and start the review process now.  There are many PTAs in Howard County that are not in good standing. 
Nominate and recognize outstanding members for PTACHC. Due May 20th.
Notebooks – update your working notebook as a permanent record of what you did, what worked and did not work and any other information your successor may need. 
Clean out files. Keep all-important papers. Check What to Retain checklist found on PTACHC website: http://www.ptachc.org/CTreasurer_guidelines/whatrecordsshouldmyptakeep.htm  
Do not develop or present a budget in the spring for the general membership to approve. The newly elected executive board will form a budget committee and develop a budget to meet their needs and goals. 
Arrange for an auditor or reconciliation committee to review the books during the summer. This is required of every PTA to complete during the summer before the school year begins per your insurance policy and MD PTA.
Deadline for handing in reimbursement/receipts to treasurer so the financial books can be closed out by end of your fiscal year which is June 30th. 
Write a year-end letter to the membership highlighting the advocacy activities, special events and programs your PTA participated in the school year. You need to draw attention to yourself, “toot your own horn so to speak”. Don’t be shy; you’ve done a great job! 
Thank all the volunteers that have made the PTA and school successful. Create certificates and distribute them with a thank you note. 
Host a ‘volunteer tea’ or assembly to honor the volunteers at all levels 
Most importantly, evaluate your own status on the PTA. Do you have an interest to go forward in some leadership role and neglected to give your name to the nominating committee? It is never too late to volunteer! There is always a job to do, either at the local, council or state levels of PTA. Is there a future there for you?

PREPARE FOR SUCCESS BACK PACK - www.prepareforsuccess.org 

PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
Parents if you are looking to inspire your child with a fun activity have them write a story, a poem, compose a musical piece, choreograph a dance, create a visual art expression or snap a photo. Remember that the summer inspires, so let our Reflections theme for 2010-2011 “Together We Can….” come to life in your creative efforts this summer break.
Just a note to PTAs Board of Directors: during the summer is a great time for your Reflections chair to begin planning for your Reflections Program. The timeframe for this program is Sept. through Dec. 

SCHOOL SAFETY ALERT PROGRAM
Join the "Click, Check and Protect" Campaign and Spread the Word about the School Safety Alert Program~~~
Recalled products are one of the top hidden hazards in the home. As a member of the National School Safety Coalition, NSPRA is working to help protect children by getting vital safety and recall information to every school and every parent. The National School Safety Coalition has just launched the "Click, Check and Protect" Campaign to help safeguard children and inform parents, educators and caregivers about the potential dangers of recalled products. We encourage you to join this campaign by adding this link www.clickcheckandprotect.org to your web sites and/or posting the video directly http://video.consumerreports.org/services/player/bcpid80023687001?bctid=80131496001. Please feel free to share this important safety alert information with other groups and organizations in your community and help us keep children safe.

CALENDAR

June 7    PTACHC General Meeting 7:30 pm 

June 10   PTACHC Workshop for new and returning officers  7 pm Faulkner Ridge Center

June 30   PTA fiscal year ends.  Close books and prepare for audit/reconciliation over the summer.  When completed, send a copy of audit report to MD PTA.  

 

July 17   MD PTA Summer Leadership Conference (near BWI airport)

   Thank you for being an advocate for every child with one voice.          
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