Focus Newsletter for the fourth week of May

  TREASURER'S TROVE
As the school year winds down, be sure to remind everyone to turn in all receipts/disbursement requests. These must be paid before the end of your fiscal year (June 30) so that the audit can be completed over the summer. (audits are required for every PTA per your insurance coverage and bylaws and must be completed by the beginning of the school year). 

PREPARE FOR SUCCESS (backpack supply drive)
Bring collected backpack supplies to the June 7th Council meeting or the PTA (and individuals) can purchase for $25 two (or more) filled backpacks at: www.prepareforsuccess.org 
Please be sure to list your PTA for statistical purposes

NEW OFFICERS 
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 BBES, BBMS, BPES, BSES, BMMS, Cedar Lane, CCES, LKMS, Lisbon, MWMS, WFES, who have sent their completed info in.

WHY SEND DELEGATES TO CONFERENCES? 
The question comes up regularly, "Why should local PTA budget money to send delegates and leaders to Summer Conference?" 

PTA leadership is a continuous learning process. Times change and through these changes we make progress. We must be willing to accept the challenge of change and to learn how to really "promote the welfare of children." 

Each local PTA deserves the best leadership possible. In order to be trained and informed, we need to participate fully in the opportunities offered by the Maryland PTA and the National PTA. We may be volunteers, but we can be professional in our approach to our responsibilities. Continuing education and energizing are part of our "professionalism." We make use of all the available resources that will make our jobs easier. 

Each PTA member pays dues to belong to an organization that is relevant to all levels - local, council, state and national. Each member, therefore, has the responsibility to participate in how the organization operates. It is a two-way street in which you give and receive. Whether you give time, talent, or financial support (or all three), you owe the organization as much as it owes you. 

Each PTA sets its own goals for the year. Each unit is unique and must concern itself with its own community but don’t build a fence around yourself! You should be aware of the strength your PTA has as part of the largest volunteer organization in the country. Your one voice united with other voices becomes a stronger, firmer voice as you speak out for quality education and for children. 

Summer Conference focuses on leadership skills and tasks. You can make PTA jobs easier by finding out how others do their jobs. You learn about what is happening in other PTAs and schools and build networks with other PTA leaders. Send someone who is willing to give his or her time in order to learn and who will share the knowledge he/she has acquired. Send someone who will speak for your unit so that you are represented. As you listen to the report of the delegate you will get a better understanding of the extensive work of the PTA. Include funds in your budget for attendance at Convention and Summer Conference so that your local is part of the continuous learning process. Listen to the reports and share with your members all of the knowledge and enthusiasm generated at the meetings.

SAVE THE DATE – July 17 MD PTA SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Registration information is coming soon. PTA Council of Howard County is pleased to announce that it is offering to local PTA's in the County one FREE matching registration to the Maryland PTA Summer Leadership Conference. The conference will be held Saturday, July 17, at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, MD (just north of BWI airport). Registration fee will be $125. 

HCPSS NEWS
USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
The timetable for submitting applications for priority consideration reservations for using a school building for your PTA event/meeting for the fall (Sept. – Dec.) is June 1. 
Now, if you don’t get your form in before June 1, don’t panic. You can put in your application at any time but rooms are reserved on a first come first get the reservation for that particular room. 

The form is online at: http://www.hcpss.org/parents/application_facilities.pdf  
 
PTA's are not charged for using rooms for meetings/events that are held on a school day. The PTA will be charged for weekend events that use the building. 

HELPFUL HINT to save money: DO NOT put an X on the box for heat or air conditioning unless you are willing to pay for this. Generally the building will stay warm for an evening event and cool for an evening meeting. Only when your program will have lots and lots of people to generate heat would you possibly choose to pay for air conditioning. 

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. 

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