December Council Bytes from LTCC of PTAs

It's an amazing time of year! I hope you are all enjoying the season! During this time of giving and good will, I wanted to put out a reminder that the Las Trampas Creek Council (LTCC) is here to be of support to YOU. You are receiving this publication because you serve on a PTA Executive Board within the LTCC which covers the Walnut Creek, Lafayette, and Moraga areas. PTA Presidents attend a council meeting every other month where information on PTA and school programs is shared between the 13 schools within our council. This interaction between the schools is a valuable resource. In addition, please know that we are here for all Executive Board members to help with questions and provide support whenever needed in performing your duties within PTA. For your information, included here is the link to the LTCC Goals for 2008-09. No one has to reinvent the wheel! Please let us know if we can be of help to you.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!

Jill Buschini, President

Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs

buschinihouse@astound.net

Reflections is "WOW!"

Over 400 people honored our children last Saturday by visiting the Reflections Showcase at WCI. All 13 schools in our Council participated in the program by submitting 572 total entries. Then, 259 entries were selected from the school sites to move to the LTCC level. These were recognized with a large blue ribbon at the Showcase. Additionally, 21 of these entries were chosen to move to the 32nd District of PTAs Reflections Program, representing all of Contra Costa County. There will be a District Showcase honoring these students on January 31, 2009 with details to follow. Many thanks to all the schools' Reflections Chairs who made this program successful. Without your dedication, passion and administration, these children would not have had the chance to show us what "WOW" truly meant!

The entries moving to the 32nd District Level are:

Dance Choreography

Jacqueline H. Grade 3 Camino Pablo

Tyler C. Grade 7 WCI

Film/Video Production

Cameron W. Grade 5 Lafayette

Cary H. Grade 6 Joaquin Moraga

Max M. Grade 9 Las Lomas

Literature

Emma H. Grade 2 Parkmead

Troy M. Grade 5 Walnut Heights

Teresa R. Grade 8 WCI

Audrey K. Grade 10 Las Lomas

Musical Composition

Marcello S. Grade K Burton Valley

Nicole T. Grade 5 Rheem

Ailan E. Grade 7 Joaquin Moraga

Spencer S. Grade 12 Las Lomas

Photography

Emmersen W. Grade 1 Burton Valley

Dan C. Grade 5 Walnut Heights

Stephanie T. Grade 8 WCI

Sarah B. Grade 11 Las Lomas

Visual Arts

Kelly S. Grade K Burton Valley

Danny E. Grade 4 Los Perales

Jack P. Grade 7 Joaquin Moraga

Emily M. Grade 11 Las Lomas

Note: Since each school district has different policies regarding the publication of student names, only the students' first name and last initial are published above.

By-Laws/Standing Rules Workshop Rescheduled to January 14, 2009

Do you know the difference between your association's bylaws and standing rules? Here are a couple of examples:

� Bylaws state when the meetings of the association and executive board are held.

� Standing Rules tell where and what time these meetings are held.

� Bylaws give the primary responsibilities of officers and chairmen.

� Standing Rules give the specifics.

Council Parliamentarian, Katie Pe�a, will present a workshop:

"How to Make Bylaws & Standing Rules Work for Your PTA"

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

7:00-9:00 p.m.

Walnut Creek School District Office

(960 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek)

The workshop will focus mainly on creating and maintaining your association's Standing Rules, which should outline the procedures, job descriptions and other details of how your PTA administers its monthly PTA work. A good set of Standing Rules can really help in recruiting future officers for your PTA. And, you can't have a discussion about Standing Rules without a little understanding of Bylaws, so Bylaws will be briefly covered!

Unit Parliamentarians and Presidents are encouraged to attend, but all officers of your PTA are welcome to come join the discussion.

Treasurer & Auditor Deadlines

The following are important financial deadlines for both unit treasurers and auditors:

Treasurer Deadlines

January 1

� Workers' Compensation Annual Payroll Report and payment (if applicable) due to Council. This report must be submitted even if you have nothing to report - just indicate "No one paid", sign, date and return.

� General liability insurance premium of $190 due to Council.

March 1

� Final per capita membership due to Council.

Remember to send reports and remittance checks along with an accompanying unit remittance form to:

LTCC Treasurer

Eva Santelli

101 Twin Peaks Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94595

Auditor Deadlines

February 28

� July 1-December 31, 2008 mid-year unit audits due to Council. Send two (2) copies of adopted audit to:

LTCC Auditor

Kat O'Donnell

18 Northridge Lane

Lafayette, CA 94549

Upcoming Important Dates to Note

January
1	Workers' Compensation Annual Payroll Report due to Council
1	General Liability Insurance due to Council
1	2^nd Mandatory Membership Remittance due to Council
6	Association Meeting, Lafayette SD Office, 9:30 a.m.
7	Legislation Team Meeting, Lafayette SD Office, 7-9:00 p.m.
14	LTCC Bylaws & Standing Rules Workshop, WCSD Office, 7-9:00 p.m. (Note: Rescheduled!)
23	32^nd District High School Scholarship Applications due
31	32^nd District Reflections Showcase, Alhambra High School, Time TBD
February
1	Online Registration for State Convention & Room Reservations
4	Legislation Team Meeting, Lafayette SD Office, 7-9:00 p.m.
18	Legislative Advocacy Day, Sacramento
22-24	California State PTA Legislative Conference, Sacramento
26	32^nd District PTA's Founders Day Dinner, Zio Fraedo's, Pleasant Hill, 6:00 p.m.
28	Mid-year Audits due to Council

We hope you find this information helpful. Please let us know if you have suggestions for future Council Bytes.

Thank you!!

The Executive Board
Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs