Click here for Spring 2011 Training Classes & Descriptions 

Now that most PTAs have had their elections, it is time to prepare for next year.  CCCC of PTAs is offering Spring Training on May 19th.  We offer not only Officer and Chairman Training, but also some classes for those PTA pros that have already done it all.  Spring Training has something for everyone, from new PTA board members to those that have put five children in college and are working on the "baby" in the family graduating high school.

This year, Texas PTA Treasurer, Lisa Holbrook, will be presenting two State PTA Programs; Stop Bullying Now and Profession: Parent.   Check out the class description to find out more.

RSVP via email by Monday, May 16th to:

Reeneea Ennis, 1stvptraining@ccccpta.org  

Please include the following information in the email:

1.     Your name

2.     Phone # & Email Address 

3.     School

4.     Classes you would like to attend

Order Your Jason's Deli Box Lunch by May 16th 

CCCC of PTAs will take orders for Jason's Deli box lunches for $6 until May 16th.  Email davis500@verizon.net with your choice of Ham, Turkey, Vegetarian or Gluten Free.  In order for us to place your order the lunch must be paid for by 9:30am on May 19th.   A table will be set up to collect payments at spring training from 8:30-9:30am. 

Congratulations on your election!  Wondering what to do first? Although you technically don't take office until the end of the fiscal year, there are some very important items the incoming President must take care of PRIOR to the end of the current PTA fiscal year.  Below is a checklist of a few initial steps to get started on immediately:

• NEW OFFICER MEETING-- of the newly elected officers that will serve with you to begin discussing what standing committees will comprise the new executive board roster.

• BOARD MEMBERS--Yes, the committees may change from year to year so there does need to be some discussion as to what worked well on your campus, what may need to be skipped this next year and what new ideas may warrant a new standing committee chairman to oversee it

• EVALUATE SIZE--Consider the amount of parental support on your campus. If the number of volunteers has dropped dramatically, then your board roster (list of standing committees) may also need to decrease. The job of a local unit president is to lead the board not to become the chairman or the main worker for each committee.

• RECRUIT CHAIRMEN--Match individuals to committees that best serve their talents and strengths.  CAUTION -- be very clear on who is extending which offer to whom.  It is unfortunate and embarrassing when the same offer is extended to two individuals. Often, the local unit president makes most of the phone calls extending an offer to serve on the board but that task may also be delgated to one of the other officers. This normally occurs when the other officer knows with that prospective chairman. 

• ASSEMBLE-- the new executive board for the coming year. This takes weeks so don't put it off or hope all of the committee chairs will be named in one week. The reason to begin the process now is mainly to set the course for next year and, more importantly, to get these new board members trained for the job that they have just been asked to do.

• TRAIN --yourself and your new board for the coming year.  It is an integral part of preparing for the coming.  May 19, 2011, is the date the CCCC of PTAs has set for local training workshops.  More information on this opportunity may be found in this newsletter and will be posted on the council website www.ccccpta.org 

• LIST--information on your roster physically and include the task of each VP as this varies from school to school.  The roster should include contact information and needs to be filed with the CCCC of PTA President as well as with Texas State PTA in Austin by May 1. There will be a form that is to be filled out and remitted and must be done in order to pick up PTA membership cards at Summer Seminar.

• ATTEND Summer Seminar- (AKA Summer Leadership Seminar) another great opportunity to get the members of your executive board trained in the job they hold in the coming year. It will be held in Austin, July 8-10. More information to follow or check the TX PTA website www.txpta.org

For most of us Treasurers there is a little more than 3 months to keep up with deposits and expenses. Some PTA's file their Texas Sales Tax Return on a quarterly basis which means that a Sales Tax Return will be due on April 18, 2011. For those PTA's that file a Calendar Year Sales Tax Return, Appendix A32 - Texas PTA's Treasurer's Guide contains a sample sales tax report that summarizes Total Sales, Taxable Sales, Sales Tax Collected (Escrowed) that will be included with the Sales Tax Return filed in January 2012 for sales made in calendar year 2011.

When are your PTAs 2 Tax-Free Days for Calendar Year ? 

and  

Will items be Delivered or Sold on August 19 - 21, 2011?

When developing Budgets for Fiscal Year 2011 - 2012, most PTA's establish a tax free day for the beginning of the 2011 - 2012 school year when school supplies will be delivered and/or sold.  Each PTA is eligible to designate (2) one-day tax-free day's each calendar year.  In addition, the Texas Legislature has designated a weekend in August as a Sales Tax Holiday/Tax-Free Weekend. This year the Sales Tax Holiday will be on August 19 - 21, 2011. 

PTA's that sell items (deliver pre-orders) listed in Publication 98-490 are not required to collect and remit Texas Sales Tax and do not have to utilize any of their tax-free days.  School supplies and clothing items must, howver, be priced at less than $100 to qualify for the Texas Sales Tax Holiday.  For a list of items includable as Tax-Free on August 19 - 21, 2011 - www.window.state.tx.us  Publication 98-490 or call the Texas Comptroller at 800-252-5555. 

Do you know . . . (Membership information)

1.  How many days it takes to become a PTA member?          

2.  How much of your dues goes to Texas PTA and how much goes to National PTA?

3.  How often you have to renew your membership?

4.  Which date each year your membership expire?

5.  What "PTA Life Member" refers to when paying dues?

6.  What happens to the money when a Texas PTA Honorary Life Member pays the full amount of local dues?

7.  What requirements have been met for people who have received the Extended Service Award?

8.  What member benefits Texas PTA offers?

9.  Where to find the Login information for the www.txpta.org website?

Click Here for Quiz Answers 

SLS Registration Now Open

Register today for Summer Leadership Seminar, July 8-10 at the Austin Convention Center.  Visit http://www.txpta.org/events/summer-leadership-seminar/ for an events schedule, tentative workshop schedule, special events and promotions information and registration!     

If you can't make Summer Leadership Seminar in Austin, check out our SLS: On The Road! events at http://www.txpta.org/events/sls-on-the-road/.  We will be coming to the following cities with SLS this year:

• Lubbock - July 30, 2011 
• McAllen - August, 2011 (date TBD) 
• El Paso - September, 2011 (date TBD)  

Keep an eye on the Texas PTA website for more details.  
Get in the game and register today!  

On Tuesday March 8, the Clear Creek Community Council (CCCC) of PTAs had the honor of sharing the artwork of over 300 area students at the annual Reflections Reception at Tad Akers event facility in League City. The students' artwork in the areas of dance choreography, film production, musical composition, photography, and visual arts were viewed by many, although the weather may have kept some away.  

This year's theme was "Together We Can." It was such a treat to get to see and enjoy the various interpretations of the theme and the talent of so many of our students on display.

Of the 300+ entries that were forwarded from the local units to council, council forwarded 35 of these to state. We are excited to announce that of the 35 entries, 19 received recognition with an honorable mention, award of merit, or award of excellence. One of our entries, "A Perfect Masterpiece" by Kelly Clark of Clear Creek Intermediate School, has been awarded by Texas PTA with an Overall Award of Excellence in the Middle/Junior Musical Composition category, which advances the composition to national competition.

The Reflections committee would like to thank all of the students for their hard work, their parents for their support of their students and the arts, the local unit Reflections chairs for their hard work, and the judges for their time and support. We also extend heartfelt thanks to the people at Tad Akers for the use of their beautiful facility, the Assisteen and Girl Scout volunteers, and all of the people who came out to support this effort.

The Reflections theme for next year is "Diversity Is." We encourage the students to start early, consider what this theme means to them, and share their vision with us.

 
To see the entire video show of the Reflections Reception click below and enjoy!

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Qv8yk6dP

A procedure book serves as a permanent record of activities and ensures an ongoing PTA program of work. It should contain material and information needed for the job. A three-ring

binder with tabbed dividers keeps your records organized.

Information You Should Pass to the Next Chairman

• Plan of Work and Budget
• Actual amount of money spent doing your job
• List of resources - don't forget the most important resource: YOU
•  Copy of all reports
•  Handouts - include the number of copies made, who they went to and supplies used
• Activity Summary - be specific and give details (who, what, when, where, how)
• Include sample notes, maps and diagrams used.
• Month by month "To Do" list
• Estimate the number of hours you spent on the job
• Recommendations