Friday, December 2, 2016

WSPTA Leadership Roundup: Week Ending 12/3

WSPTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATION RECOMMENDATIONS
December 2 - Deadline Extension
To nominate a qualified individual or to self-nominate, download the nomination form or to learn more about the positions, download the job description booklet.


CALL FOR CONVENTION PRESENTERS
December 31
The WSPTA Leadership Committee is seeking presenters for the 104th WSPTA Annual Convention. If you are or know a great presenter with an applicable topic, complete the online form here.

Note: The primary audience for this presentation will be parents with children in Washington’s public education system. Presenters will not be compensated for classes or hotel parking. 


WSPTA//GAME DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION
January 9 (Intent to Submit form due)
The WSPTA//Game Development Competition is a WSPTA STEM-based program that supports student success for students in grades 9-12. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves, either individually or in teams, by creating a computer game. Learn more here.


REFLECTIONS UPDATE
Thank you to everyone that sent in Reflections theme entries. There were so many creative theme this year, it was hard to pick just five to send to National PTA!

Reflections entry deadlines are right around the corner. Many PTA/PTSAs have already submitted entries to their council and councils are hard at work prepping the winners to send to state. All entries must be received to the state office by January 20. Check with your council for deadline to submit to council-level. For PTAs not in a council, contact your region director.

FOCUS DAY 2017
January 16 | Capitol Building | Olympia | Registration 

"Advocacy is not a one day event," 
Duncan Taylor, WSPTA Legislative Director

Everyday Advocacy
1. Make an appointment with your legislators.
3. Connect with other parents, teachers, and education advocates.
4. Make sure to leave it in writing.

Learn more about Focus Day 2017 here.


ESSA DRAFT PLAN OUTREACH
February 13 - Deadline Extended
Shape your public education system for years to come by providing feedback on Washington’s ESSA draft Consolidated Plan, through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). WSPTA was involved in the draft process, and OSPI was one of hundreds of groups to contribute to the ESSA draft Consolidated Plan, alongside districts, legislators, education organizations, tribal leaders, and higher education institutions. Provide feedback here.


WSPTA AS YOUR PTA'S REGISTERED AGENT
All nonprofit corporations have to interact with government agencies, most commonly the Washington Secretary of State's office and the Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

By designating WSPTA as your agent, your PTA gives those agencies one single point of contact when they need to get information to or from your PTA. It is not a requirement that WSPTA be your registered agent, but it is recommended. You may choose to have an individual named as your registered agent; however, by choosing WSPTA as your PTA's agent, your PTA won't have to worry about that person moving, taking a long vacation, or otherwise being unavailable to respond to a notice from one of the agencies.

For additional questions or clarification, please contact Tatia, Local PTA Support, in the state office.

If your PTA prefers to be its own registered agent, please verify the WSPTA office address is correct on all submission forms:

Washington State PTA
1304 South Fawcett Avenue | Suite 300
Tacoma, WA 98402


PTA STORE 2017 PRODUCT IDEAS
Late January is when ShopPTA.com usually adds new merchandise, as well as discontinue a few items. If you have suggestions for a new product or something you feel would be useful to local PTAs, please share! Many of the best-selling items came to the PTA store as a simple suggestion. Share your idea and ShopPTA.com will research the feasibility of adding to the store.


QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Question
This is my first time as a treasurer and am curious if there is anything I need to be doing in the next two months – besides monthly maintenance – now that the 990 form has been submitted and the holidays are here?

Answer 
Thank you for your question and great job making sure your PTA’s 990 form was submitted by the 11/15 deadline. This is the time of year when it is strongly recommended to conduct a mid-year financial review (December-January). The review involves an examination of the financial transactions of the PTA, and the procedures used to conduct those transactions.

To conduct a seamless mid-year financial review, be sure to have the following materials available:
  • Financial Review Checklist
  • Financial Review Committee (the treasurer, although not a member of the review committee, is merely a resource for the review)
  • All treasurer's reports for current fiscal year
  • All bank statements for current fiscal year (should be signed monthly by non-signer on the account)
  • All checks, deposit slips, receipts, invoices and all other record-keeping materials (checks may be accessed on bank website)
  • Register listing all checks written and all deposits made
  • Minutes of all board and membership meetings for current fiscal year
  • Copies of all contracts and grants made or received

Source: Treasurer’s Handbook

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