Highlights of March 2014 Delegates Assembly 
Our penultimate Delegates Assembly (DA) of the 2013-2014 school year reviewed the remarkable, positive impact MCCPTA is having for our students and schools, our commitment to our students in need via a DA decision to donate $1,500--backpacks and school supplies for 150 students--to MCPS GIVE BACKpacks, and the importance that every PTA, including MCCPTA, look to periodically review and, where possible, improve processes and procedures.   

PTA in Montgomery County is having a terrific year thanks to your efforts and dedication. I hope each of you will join me for our final DA on April 22, and then on May 1st as we kick back and celebrate our work and its impact at the MCCPTA Presidents & Principals Dinner. Until then, let's also celebrate the start of Spring and hopefully NO more snow!   

Janette Gilman
President, Montgomery County Council of PTAs
Featured Business
This month we again focused on MCCPTA advocacy, learning that our efforts to secure additional state construction funding had a major impact although prospects for the funding look dim this legislative session.
 
The importance of strong PTA turnout at the County Council Operating Budget hearings coming up on April 8, 9, and 10 was emphasized; with all the misinformation and posturing around maintenance of effort (MOE), it is critical that parents turn out and let the Council know that our students' education must not be fodder for politics. Councilmembers must hear from us that the County Executive's recommended budget is an excellent starting point toward the modest restoration recommended this year by the Board of Education to meet student needs and our expectations.  
 
We also began the discussion on a number of organizational items, including how our Delegates eList functions, recommendations from our Bylaws Chair to clarify and simplify nomination processes, and the final report of our Nominating Committee.  
Presidents & Principals Dinner:
Reserve Your Seat Now!
Presidents, please place your reservation today for our annual celebration of PTA in Montgomery County, the Presidents & Principals Dinner, Thursday May 1, 6-9pm, at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center; the deadline for reservation is April 11 .  The evening celebrates the work of PTA in Montgomery County and our partnership with our schools and community; principals are traditionally invited as the guests of their PTA.  We encourage  you to invite other PTA leaders, including your incoming presidents, to join you.  CLICK HERE to reserve your seats now!
 
Your Delegates eList, Your Choice
Delegates discussed and were asked to consider how you would like your email listserve, the Delegates eList, to function moving forward.  Our eCommunications Chair, who moderates and oversees all MCCPTA eLists, reviewed the evolution of our communications and recommended an update of this tool so that it would facilitate internal conversation among the members of our Delegates Assembly (local MCCPTA delegates, including presidents, and the members of the MCCPTA Board of Directors). MCCPTA's Board of Directors, Presidents, and Treasurers eLists function this way and are lively, informative vehicles for the sharing of information and best practices.  
 
The Delegates eList, which originated before MCCPTA communicated via Constant Contact (such as this email and our monthly News and Updates), Facebook, Twitter, and our new website, now includes many who are neither delegates nor PTA members.  It also no longer serves as the primary vehicle for disseminating MCCPTA news and  updates.   
 
To give delegates time to fully consider how they would like this eList to function moving forward and who its membership should be, the motion was tabled and will be reconsidered at the April DA. Any who have questions or suggestions are welcome to contact our eCommunications Chair Deb Lang. It's your eList; how it works is your collective choice.
MCCPTA Bylaws Amendment
With an officer vacancy, a resignation from the Nominating Committee, and questions about nomination deadlines engendering many emails and not a little confusion, the MCCPTA Bylaws Chair was charged with examining our processes with an eye to streamlining and simplifying.  CLICK HERE to review the amendment proposed by the Bylaws Committee; this amendment will be brought up for discussion and possible vote at the April Delegates Assembly.  Questions or suggestions may be directed to Susan Fleck,  MCCPTA Bylaws Committee Chair.  
MCCPTA Officers    

President 
Janette Gilman

VP for Educational Issues 
Deb Lang

Vice President for Administration 
Frances Frost

Vice President for Programs  
Paul Geller

Vice President for Legislation
Lynne Harris

Treasurer  
Susan Burkinshaw

Recording Secretary -
Board of Directors 
Karen Collishaw

Recording Secretary - Delegates Assembly 
Kellie Schoolar-Reynolds
 
MCCPTA Office 
301.208.0111
office@mccpta.com 

Upcoming Dates

MCCPTA 3rd Annual Performing Arts Festival
Saturday, April 5 @ Rockville Town Center
Sunday, April 6 @ Downtown Silver Spring

 

MCCPTA Presents!
Tuesday, April 22
6:30-7:25pm
Auditorium, Carver Educational Services Center

 

April Delegates Assembly
Annual Meeting and Elections
Tuesday, April 22
7:30-9:30pm
Auditorium, Carver Educational Services Center

 

MCCPTA-MCPS Math Curriculum Night
Thursday, April 24
7:30-9:15pm
Cafeteria, Richard Montgomery HS 

MCCPTA Presidents and Principals Dinner
Thursday, May 1
6:00-9:00pm
North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

 

MCCPTA Reflections Showcase
Saturday, May 10
Gallery 3:30-4:30pm
Ceremony 4:30-6pm
Clarksburg High School
 
MCCPTA 26th Annual Special Education Awards Ceremony
Monday, May 12
7:00-9:00pm
Rockville High School

 

  

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