The last days of every school year are hectic, and the next PTA meeting may seem like it's light-years away. But now is the time for outgoing officers to end with a flourish and incoming officers to plan and prepare for a great next year.

BOWING OUT: Outgoing board members need to finish up paperwork, write thank-yous, say goodbyes and smooth the transition for incoming board members.

Procedure books: If you chaired an event or shepherded a project that has no procedure book, start one! You can make it a virtual book and pass it along in an e-mail or on a CD or flash drive (copy the president). The idea is to give your successor the benefit of your experience. Tip: Do this even if the next person is you - it's all too easy to forget helpful details between years. For a list of things to pass on, click here.

Support with style: If you are leaving your post, show the new officer the ropes, then offer suggestions only when asked. Be a cheerleader for the energy and fresh ideas of the new board. Expect things will be done differently - everyone brings different skills and styles to the table. If you have no board post this coming year, consider "graduating" to help at council or district level. Your experience will benefit others. For more on transition, click here.

Prepare for audit and tax filing: Treasurers and auditors need to plan for the year-end audit. Annual reports should be finished and forwarded promptly, and the second half of the year's paper trail organized for the audit and tax filing. Any outstanding receipts need to be turned in ASAP.

STEPPING IN: Incoming board members need to set goals now, while ideas are fresh, and put plans in place to start the next year humming like a well-oiled machine. Toolkit, Section 2.3.2 and 2.3.3.

Empty seats: The incoming president appoints and the incoming board ratifies new officers to fill any vacancies on the incoming board. Toolkit, Section 2.3.3.

Lay out events; set dates: Meshing your activities with the school calendar should be done before the school year begins as much as possible. Make sure you understand if there are any fees or conditions to using the school facilities for PTA events. Facility use permits may be required through your school or district office. For program ideas, click here.

Lay out a budget: A budget is a best-guess projection of money that will come in (including carryover from this year) and money that will be spent (including carryover for the following year). Those two totals should match. For information on budgeting, click here.

Plan a membership campaign: Membership is tangible support by your school community. Raise the bar for your membership numbers, and raise your PTA's profile with a membership campaign. For more information, click here. For tips on asking people to join, click here. Now is the time to send for membership brochures and order membership envelopes from council or district.

Got Questions? Contact your council PTA president, if in council, or your PTA district president. Or e-mail leadership@capta.org.