April 2009 Council Bytes from LTCC of PTAs

Not feeling quite ready for your new job? Come to one of two Leadership Training sessions we offer in May and let us help prepare you. Choose either:

Training Session 1

Wednesday, May 13

7:00 p.m.

Walnut Creek School District Offices

(960 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek)

Training Session 2

Friday, May 29

9:00 a.m.

Walnut Creek School District Offices

(960 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek)

Plan to allocate approximately 2-3 hours for the training. The same materia will be covered at both sessions. Please encourage the 2009-2010 executive board-elect to attend this very important training.

Please let us know which session you will attend so we will have your binder ready for you. Don't miss this free, convenient, and worthwhile training! RSVP to Jill Buschini, LTCC President or Patty Gonser, LTCC VP of Leadership & Membership.

Founders Day

Invitations to Las Trampas Creek Council's 11th annual Council Founders Day luncheon have been mailed and plans are in place for a fabulous celebration. Not only will we celebrate the wonderful people who work so tirelessly for our children, but we will make presentations to our outstanding scholarship and honorary service award recipients. Unit presidents are encouraged to attend along with their principal and president-elect. Presidents, please check in with them and encourage carpooling!

The event will be held at Scott's Garden in Walnut Creek on Tuesday, May 12 from 11:30 until 2:00 p.m.

Please contact Founders Day Chairs, Erin Bydalek or Kathy Ranstrom with any questions.

Reminder: Unit Annual Reports Due

Unit Annual Reports are now past due to council (due date was April 10). Please read the "Unit Annual Reports" article in the March Council Bytes for information on completing this report. Historians should work with their president to prepare the report. Please send two copies to:

LTCC Historian

Carolyn Boord

84 Terra Bella Dr

Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Questions? Contact Carolyn Boord.

Final State PTA Convention Reminders

April 30-May 3, 2009
San Jose McEnery Convention Center

For detailed information about the California State PTA Convention, please refer to the archived February issue of Council Bytes. For all convention registrants, please re-read the "Additional Convention Information" article regarding the mandatory District Fee, 32nd District dinner and volunteer opportunities. Additionally, the Convention Registration Booklet contains a complete list of over 85 workshops on critical topics to ensure your PTA's success.

View the Proposed PTA Convention Resolutions that are posted on the front page under "What's New" of the California State PTA website.

Questions? Contact Patty Gonser, LTCC VP of Leadership & Membership.

May 19 Election for State-wide Propositions

Unit presidents, please be sure to address the May 19 election and the PTA supported propositions at your upcoming April/May association meetings, and in any communications to your units. Your Legislation Rep has additional info on these issues.

Key Message: If the May 19 tax and expenditure related propositions do not pass, there will likely be additional cuts to education in this coming State 2009-10 budget.

PTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E. Click here for more information.

Summary: The outcome of the budget related May 19 propositions will determine whether there is an additional $6 billion deficit in the state budget, in addition to the $8 billion dollar deficit previously announced by the Legislative Analyst. Since education is the largest portion of the state budget, if there is additional state deficit, education is likely to take another round of budget cuts.

School districts across the state are already being told to brace for mid-year cuts in 2009-2010, three months before the end of the current year.

From State PTA Website: "While we do not feel these measures adequately address the need for long-term budget reform in California, we recognize that most of the measures represent important and necessary steps to prevent deeper cuts to education and children's programs during the state's current economic crisis."

For additional information, click on the Las Trampas Creek Council Leg Team webpage.

PTA Board-elect Activities

PTA bylaws provide that, following the election of officers, the board-elect may meet to begin making plans for the next year. Activities of the board-elect may include:

Register president-elect and other delegates to attend State PTA Convention.
Fill vacancies on executive board, appoint non-elected officers (e.g., parliamentarian) and select committee chairs.
Ratify all appointments and begin goal setting and planning.
Appoint budget committee. As a minimum be sure to include your principal, president, treasurer, and any other interested executive board members.
Working with current officers and committe chairs, update all procedure binders. Ensure bylaws, standing rules and/or job descriptions are up-to-date and included in all turnover materials.
Prepare a master calendar for PTA events and program, coordinating dates with both the school and school district.
Work with school administration to plan your school's "welcome back/registration days".
Schedule an installation of officers. Many units do an informal installation of the new board at the final association meeting of the current PTA board.
Provide Council PTA with roster of new board members by May 5, 2009.
Attend training opportunities (don't miss State PTA Convention and the Council Training workshops in May-see Calendar below!).

The California State PTA website contains valuable information about building a successful team, and the transition of new leadership.

Upcoming Important Dates to Note

April
10	Annual Unit Reports/Volunteer Hours due to Council - now past due!
May
30-3	California State PTA Convention, San Jose
4	LTCC Association Meeting, WCSD, 9:30 a.m.
5	Unit Officer Lists for 2009-2010 due to Council
7	Legislation Team Meeting, Lafayette SD, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
12	Las Trampas Creek Council Chartered 1998
12	LTCC Founders Day Luncheon, Scott's Garden, Walnut Creek, 11:30-2:00 p.m.
13	Council Training Session #1 for Unit Officers, WCSD, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
27	Legislation Team Meeting, Lafayette SD - tentative date
29	Council Training Session #2 for Unit Officers, WCSD, 9:00-12:00 p.m.
June
1	LTCC Executive Board Meeting, AUHSD Board Room, 9:30 a.m.

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