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Over 60 leaders representing dozens of Montgomery County PTAs and PTSAs and MCCPTA gathered in Towson last Friday and Saturday for the 98th Annual Maryland PTA Convention. We learned, networked, conducted the business of county and state PTA, celebrated achievements of students and local units, and shared a few tears and many laughs. Please read on for the highlights and impact of this weekend of PTA.
I wish you the best as you create your PT(S)A goals for the year, including, I hope, a robust membership and engagement drive!
Janette Gilman
President, Montgomery County Council of PTAs
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New Maryland PTA Leaders Take Office
A new Maryland PTA Executive Committee entered into office this weekend, led by incoming Maryland PTA President Ray Leone (Anne Arundel County). Many thanks to outgoing Maryland PTA President Rita Lowman for 16 months of dedicated, caring leadership. In addition to Ray, the following individuals took office this weekend:
- President Elect Elizabeth Leight (Anne Arundel County)
- Vice President Leadership Beverly Madden (Anne Arundel County)
- Vice President Legislation John Hannay (Howard County)
- Vice President Councils Jayne Lee (Baltimore County)
- Secretary Latisha Corey (Prince George's County)
- Treasurer Bruce Butz (Harford County)
In addition, two MCCPTA leaders, Blair Cluster Coordinator Shruti Bhatnagar and Area Vice President for the NEC and Sherwood Cluster Larry Edmonds were elected to the Maryland PTA Nominating and Board Development Committee.
Sincere thanks and hearty congratulations to all for stepping up on behalf of the students and PT(S)As of Maryland!
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Financial Training Requirement Change
With the strong backing of MCCPTA and Montgomery County PTA leaders, the bylaws amendment brought forward by the Maryland PTA Board of Directors to change financial training from a Standards of Continuing Affiliation (SoCA) requirement to a requirement embedded in local bylaws passed!
What does that mean? That means that annual financial training is still viewed as essential to PTA treasurers and one board member, but the language on that requirement will now appear in your local bylaws in a manner similar, for example, to the minimum number of general meetings your unit must conduct each year, your quorum, or the number of individuals it takes to constitute your nominating committee. It will no longer be required to meet the Standards of Continuing Affiliation (SoCA), i.e., impact the good standing of your PTA or PTSA.
MCCPTA and Maryland PTA will continue to provide many opportunities to train our treasurers and leaders throughout the year. Mark your calendar now for MCCPTA Fall Training, Saturday September 7, 2013, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., location TBD, which will include several financial/treasurer training sessions. We are also exploring new ideas for the Fall, including a "990s Day," to help every school complete financial requirements. More details coming.
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Committee Chairs Named
With the entire MCCPTA Executive Committee in attendance at the Maryland PTA Convention, the group briefly convened to conduct some Montgomery County PTA business. The Executive Committee is pleased to announce the following individuals who were elected to serve as committee chairs or co-chairs for the 2013-2014 year:
Standing Committees
- Health and Safety Committee Co-Chairs Susan Burkinshaw, Donna Pfeiffer, and Carrie Witkop
- Special Education Committee Chair Jeanne Taylor
- Multicultural Awareness Committee Co-Chairs Frances Frost and Antonio Hernandez Cardoso
- ESOL Subcommittee Co-Chairs Antonio Hernandez Cardoso and Janet Sanchez
- Membership and Engagement Chair Shruti Bhatnagar
- Outreach Events Committee Chair Dave Lechner
Administrative Committees
- Bylaws Committee Chair Susan Fleck
- Training Committee Co-Chairs Paul Geller and Kellie Schoolar-Reynolds
- Cultural Arts Committee Chair Priscilla Peterson
- Presidents & Principals Dinner Chair Jill Trone
- Reflections Committee Chair Chris McDermott
- Legislative Committee Co-Chairs Larry Edmonds and Richie Yarrow
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No State Dues Increase
The proposed bylaws amendment to increase membership dues to Maryland PTA failed; dues sent to Maryland PTA for state and national dues will remain at $3.75 per member for the 2013-2014 year. (MCCPTA dues also will remain unchanged at $1.00 per member.)
Maryland PTA President Ray Leone formed an Ad Hoc Committee during the Maryland PTA Post Convention Board of Directors meeting to review the priorities, the spending, and the organization of Maryland PTA. Five Maryland PTA board members, including MCCPTA President Janette Gilman, were appointed to serve on that committee. The committee is charged to report out at the Maryland Winter Board Meeting in November 2013.
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Achievements Celebrated
Many Montgomery County PT(S)A units, students, and our council, together with friends, individuals, and lawmakers from around the State of Maryland were honored at Convention.
- Montgomery County tallied a total of 39 membership awards; more than any other county (but who's counting)! Among the impressive stack of plaques and certificates was special acknowledgement for Belmont Elementary School PTA which had the largest total membership increase and percentage membership increase among units in good standing in our county. Please note that to be eligible for a membership award from Maryland PTA local units must have met all SoCA requirements by March 31, 2013.
- Our students who won state-level awards in the 2012-2013 PTA Reflections program were acknowledged; winners and families who joined us in the celebration included students from Wootton High School and Potomac Elementary School.
- Our council, MCCPTA, was recognized as one of three Maryland PTA Council of Excellence award winners; this is the highest honor a council can receive from Maryland PTA. This award is based on the body of work of the council and the cumulative standing and achievements of its local PT(S)As. All of us own this award. Congrats!
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 Upcoming Dates
Maryland and Virginia PTA Night at the Washington Nationals
Nats vs. New York Mets
Saturday, July 27, 3:05pm
Nationals Park
Washington, DC
MCCPTA Fall Leadership Training
Saturday, September 7
10am-3:30pm
Location TBD
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE
MCCPTA Presents: TBD
Tuesday, September 24
6:30-7:30pm
Auditorium, Carver Center
850 Hungerford Drive
September Delegates Assembly
Tuesday, September 24
7:30-9:30pm
Auditorium, Carver Center
850 Hungerford Drive
Quick Links
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