IRS Declines to Consider WSPTA'S Group Exemption Application

-From WSPTA

I am very saddened and disappointed to report that the Internal Revenue Service has declined to consider the application that Washington State PTA submitted last August for a group exemption.  Unfortunately the letter from the IRS was unclear as to the reasoning, stating that considering the application "isn't in the interest of sound tax administration."  Because the IRS declined to consider the application rather than denying it, there is no appeal from the decision. 

Bill Williams,  

Executive Director, WSPTA

BWilliams@wastatepta.org

• 15 submissions per PTA/PTSA maximum; there is no minimum
• All art work submitted to the Council will be exhibited at the Harrison St. Gallery, Seattle Center, December 10-31
• An Artists' Reception, with light refreshments, open to all, will be held Sunday, December 16, 2-4pm, at the Harrison St. Gallery
• Notification of artists' work selected to move up to the State level will be announced in early January, at our Reflections award ceremony (location, date and time TBD)
• All Reflections submission requirements can be found at the National PTA Reflections website: http://pta.org/2032.asp
• The Council deadline for submissions is Monday, December 3 -- submissions will be accepted in the lobby of the John Stanford Center between 9am and 5pm on December 3; Council Reflections co-chairs will be present to accept art work and assist with paperwork

Upcoming Reflections Refresher Webinars

Do you need a refresher course on Reflections? Please note the upcoming Webinars for PTA council's and local PTA units.

Upcoming Refresher Webinars  

For PTA Councils

November 28 7pm ET/4pm PT Registration Web Link

December 12 1pm ET/10am PT Registration Web Link

January TBD

For Local PTA Units

November 29 7pm ET/4pm PT Registration Web Link

December 13 1pm ET/10am PT Registration Web Link

January TBD   

Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit

Thursday, December 6

8:15-2:45 at Shoreline Conference Center, Shoreline

I attended this conference last year. It was very interesting to learn more about the issue of childhood obesity, and what we as parents and PTA members, can do about it.  At the summit you will attend workshops with leaders and experts in the field, and you will come out with actionable knowledge that you can share with your community. This event is free and lunch is provided. Share this link with your community.  Hope I'll see you there.   

More information and registration link.

Shelley Kloba
Legislative Director
ptalegdir@wastatepta.org 

SCPTSA Votes to Endorse Operations and Capital Levies Renewal

Help Support Continued Funding for Our Schools by Scheduling a Schools First Levy Presentation at Your Next PTA Meeting

Renewal of two critically important Seattle school levies will be on the February 12, 2013 ballot. The campaign to ensure successful renewal begins now and we need each and every PTA's support!

• The Operations Levy provides more than a quarter of the funds needed to operate the Seattle Public Schools.  This levy provides funding for basic day-to-day operations, teachers, instructional assistants, textbooks, classroom supplies, bilingual and special education services, bus transportation, student activities such as athletics, arts, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, professional development and training.  

• The Capital Levy (BEX IV) renews our commitment to providing safe, quality schools for our kids.  This levy will provide much needed funding to maintain and improve our aging existing schools and provide earthquake safety upgrades at 37 schools.  BEX IV will renovate and build schools to help meet the substantial and continued growing enrollment in Seattle's public schools, 1,400 additional students this school year alone!

PTA's have been the backbone of every successful campaign to ensure our critical school levies are renewed.  Get involved today!

• Schedule a brief presentation by Schools First for your November board or general meeting.  Schools First is the volunteer network of parents and education advocates that campaigns for renewal of our school levies. 

You and your school community are essential to our school levies renewals for all our schools and all Seattle Public Schools students! 

• Contact Kerry Cooley-Stroum at kcs@seanet.com for more info and to schedule a Schools First (www.schoolsfirstseattle.org) presentation at your next PTA board or general meeting.