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   California State PTA Online Newsletter                             March 2009
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PTA CALENDAR
MARCH
 
 March is Arts Education Month: Celebrate with the Arts Learning In Action Toolkit
President's Challenge
Read the President's Challenge Letter for Membership
 
April
EdSource Conference on California Education Policy
Arts Education Conference: Arts to the Core: Building a Future for Arts Education in California 
CALIFORNIA STATE PTA ANNUAL CONVENTION
April 30-May 3
San Jose 
Why You Can't Afford to Miss This Year's Convention
 
Perhaps your PTA is thinking that this is not the year to send delegates to the California State PTA Convention.  
 
Times are tough and money is tight.
 
That is exactly why you should make an extra effort to send at least one delegate to this important event, being held April 30 to May 3 in San Jose.
 
Now, more than ever, PTA members throughout the state must stand together, learn together, and talk together. Our schools - and the future of our children - are threatened as never before. We must unite our efforts and work toward a solution.
 
"Cutting billions of dollars from education and children's services may balance a budget but it does not even remotely meet the responsibility of California to educate and care for children," said Pam Brady, president of the California State PTA.
 
The California PTA wants to end the economic gridlock and support investing in children. Come to convention and learn how you can advocate for our children and the future of California.
 
Convention costs are a legitimate PTA expense. Here are some ideas to help keep costs down:
  • Register for convention before March 31. Fees go up after that.
     
  • If you are the only one from your PTA who is attending convention, find another delegate at a nearby PTA to be your roommate and share hotel expenses.
     
  • If driving to San Jose is feasible, find other PTA delegates in your area and carpool.
This event is too important to miss!
 
Find out more here.
Other Springtime Reminders
 
Officer Elections
By now, your nominating committee has met and presented a slate of officers for the 2009-2010 year. That means it's time for you to have an election, at your annual meeting, as prescribed by your bylaws.
 
For a complete election script, and other information about nominating and electing officers, click here. 
 
Midyear Audits Are Due Now
Regular audits protect PTA financial officers and assure the members that PTA funds are being properly managed.
 
For detailed directions on performing the audit, click here.
 
An audit checklist can be downloaded here, and an audit report form can be downloaded here.
 
Make Sure Your Historian Is Keeping Track of Volunteer Hours
Why is it so important to report volunteer hours? Records of service hours help to protect the nonprofit, tax-exempt status of PTA by demonstrating the support our organization receives from the public. Volunteer hours also show the broad-based dedication and involvement of our membership when PTA applies to foundations for grants. And finally, a high number of volunteer hours sends a powerful message to state and national lawmakers when PTA advocates on behalf of all children.
 
For more information about the historian's job, click here.
PTA CONNECTS is sent free of charge via the Internet as a service of the California State PTA. Unless otherwise noted, PTAs may reproduce and distribute the materials from the California State PTA website for PTA use without express written permission. California State PTA materials may not be duplicated by any other organization or person without written permission.
 
California State PTA:
  • Does not exert editorial control over materials that are posted by third parties onto its website, or materials that are e-mailed by third parties to any other persons.
  • Specifically disclaims any and all liability for any claims or damages that result from postings by third parties.
  • Does not exert editorial or any other control over content provided by links from the California State PTA.