President’s To Do List:

Membership for 2015-2016 – After a very lively conversation about the changes in upcoming membership process for PTA next year,  we wanted to give you the chance to share your thoughts and feedback with Caroline (and she will share with the state), you can send your comments to ptamembdir@wastatepta.org. If you don’t speak up now, your concerns can not be addressed before the new system goes into play.

Nominating Committees should be off and running.  If your committee has questions, or needs assistance please don’t hesitate to ask at president@issaquahptsa.org another helpful link is http://www.wastatepta.org/leadership/leadership_packet/packet_index.html

The Council Nominating Committee is up and running if you have someone you would like nominate, you can send your nominations to Becky Gorden, Betsy Cohen or Karen Manning.

You will want to have your officers elected in March, so your new officers can get registered to attend PTA Convention April 17^th-19^th.

Local Unit Awards – Golden Acorn, Outstanding Educator, Lifetime Membership and Outstanding Advocate.  Your local presentation of awards should be complete before March 31^st. 

To Do List for Golden Acorn and Outstanding Educator

• Committee chair names to Judy Babb at parent-ed@issaquahptsa.org or Shelly Russell at vp-high@issaquahptsa.org by March 1^st.
• Award winners to Judy Babb at parent-ed@issaquahptsa.org or Shelly Russell at vp-high@issaquahptsa.org by March 15^th.  They are great at keeping secrets, so send in your names even if the award winners have not been announced yet.
• Order the awards at http://www.wastatepta.org/resources/awards/index.html
• Plan to attend with the award winners from your school to the March 31^st Awards Reception at Swedish Hospital Conference Room
• Honor/announce your winners at your school

There are lots of upcoming events that are open to everyone throughout the District, to find events to advertise at your school, check out the Council Calendar at http://www.issaquahptsa.org/category/news/calendar

• Some of the events that were highlighted at our last meeting: upcoming glass fusion training, Sleep and Teens, Emergency prep event, Health and Wellness
• Parent Ed opportunities in the area with some well-known speakers http://miparentedge.org/

If you have upcoming events, especially parent ed events, please be sure and send the information to Cindy Kelm at webmaster@issaquahptsa.org.

VIS – help —- There is going to be a bond measure coming on the ballot earlier than expected and your help is needed. 

• Looking for people that will serve on the VIS committee that are retired, local business owners/operators, or just getting ready to enter the school system — Do you know someone that fits this category and believes in a strong school system, please let Ann Moore or Suzanne know or you can contact Alicia Veevaert vp-middle@issaquahptsa.org or Dawn Peschek at reflections@issaquahptsa.org.
• If you would like to volunteer with the VIS, please let one of the above volunteers know.
• Also budget reminder, don’t forget to add VIS line to your upcoming budget for the 2015-2016 school year.

Standards of Excellence or Other Local Unit awards are due March 1^st.

• It is a local units choice on whether to participate or not
• If you choose not to participate you still need to go through the process of checking in on how you are doing in regards to proper/legal procedures, the checklist that you need to go thorough for this is the second attachment in this email
• It is very important to take the time (10-20 minutes) to go through the information at your next board meeting and make sure your LU’s affairs are in order

Independent Contractors vs Casual Employees:  Laila did a great job of summarizing this at our last General Membership meeting.  Her handout can be found on the Council Website.  You can also direct questions to Kim Allie alliek@issaquah.wednet.edu or Ruby Perez perezr@issaquah.wednet.edu at the district office.

The first meeting to set up Safety and Security Procedures is February 26th, 12-2, at the Issaquah Library meeting room.  Anybody who would like to take part is welcome.

Local Units and Grants – we are setting up a session to meet with the Issaquah Schools Foundation to better a line the grants of the local PTA’s and ISF.  If you know the grant process at your school and would like to be a part of this, please email Deb Smith at debsmith1615@outlook.com.  We will likely meet in late March.

If you are looking to do a survey for your local unit, Cindy Kelm is glad to help you get started and send out your survey.  She can be reached at webmaster@issaquahptsa.org.

Presidents’ To Do

Presidents’ Report

Courtney Warren from Safe Place gave a presentation to the Board.  We will put her on the agenda of a future general meeting.  Safe Place is an outreach program that quickly connects youth in crisis ages 12-17 to help, through a network of local businesses designated as “Safe Places.” These resources help youth resolve their crises and remain in a stable environment. A youth in crisis can call 1 (800) 422-TEEN or ask for help at any Safe Place site to connect with a Safe Place staff member who will meet the youth, access their needs, and transport them to safety. Safe Place is a collaborative effort of Friends of Youth, YouthCare, and Auburn Youth Resources.

Region 2 Mid-Winter Conference is February 3^rd at the Lake Washington Resource Center, 6:30-9pm.  Classes offered will be Roles and Responsibilities of the Board, Volunteers, and Managing Conflict.  These will count towards the training requirement.  There will be two workshop/roundtable sessions:  Top 5 Issues and Bylaws.  Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/region-2-mid-winter-conference-registration-15233546949. 

Nominating Committee training:  January 26^th, 7-8:30pm, Lake Washington Resource Center; February 5^th, 12-1:30pm, Lake Washington Resource Center (Board Room)

To Do

Ensure your memberships are paid for at the end of each month upon receipt of your invoice.

Applying for Membership Awards is simple.  Take advantage of the new Seedling and Sapling awards.  Information and forms are available at http://www.wastatepta.org/member/awards/membership_awards.html.

More awards information and forms at http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/significant_action/index.html.

Please include this reminder in your newsletters or enews.

Student Essay Contest – Male Role Model in My Life

The Washington State PTA (WSPTA) is once again offering the Men’s Essay Contest. This is an opportunity for students to write essays about an important man in their life. WSPTA acknowledges the importance of men in children’s lives, and offers an annual essay contest for students to showcase the important men who make positive impacts in their lives. There are categories for K-12, plus a special author category for students who receive services, as defined by the ADA.  Entry deadline is March 1, 2015. Find further details and entry form here:

http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/PTA_mens/index.html

Click on the following link to get the flyer and activity list for Grand Ridge’s Kindness Week.

President’s To Do List

Wanted to get this out a week early with the short month and crazy schedules.  We will send any updates from the meeting

We will be doing another training session in March – if there is something you would like to have, please let us know

Thank you for letting us visit your Board meetings.  We have just a handful of schools left and will be visiting you in January

Secondary PTA & the Principal is January 6^th 10:30-12pm

If you live in Sammamish, there will be a Community Conversation about Teens Drinking and Driving on December 10^th for more information contact Barbara de Michelle at issaquahcommunitynetwork@mindspring.com

Keep working on getting your Board trained, we have less than 10 people left in the whole district.  We will be letting you know if you are missing any training.

Check out the new Mission Mental Blog at http://missionmental.org. Liberty students got this started as part of their work with the Healthy Youth Initiative

Committee sign up opportunities for Nominating Committee, Council Awards, Council Awards Reception, and  Run, Hide, and Fight training and procedures for PTA events outside the school day (at this Thursday’s meeting)

Betsy Cohen is coordinating services for families in crisis with PTA & ISF.  betsywcohen@gmail.com

All Communications Questions are directed to the Communication Director L Michelle at michellel@issaquah.wednet.edu

Standards of Excellence Check list – can be found on the Council Website, and at the end of this TO DO list

FACEBOOK – If you need additional information, you can contact Shelly Russell at vp-high@issaquahptsa.org

Please send any Parent Ed happenings at your school to Heidi or Judy at parent-ed@issaquahptsa.org

You should be recruiting your Nominating Committee, for approval at your next GM

We will have approved training in January for Nominating Committees, at least one person from the committee should attend

Please send all your GM dates, all school events, and Parent Ed dates to Cindy Kelm at kelmcindy@gmail.com

Washington State Leadership Handbook — http://www.wastatepta.org/leadership/leadership_packet/leadership_packet_14/Leadership_2014.pdf

Leg Update and What is coming in 2015–  Brown Bag Lunch

Panelists will preview the legislative session, advise our PTA members on effective advocacy strategies, and take questions from the audience.
When: Thursday, December 18, noon to 1 p.m.
Where: Lake Wash SD Resource Center (at Redmond Town Center) 16250 NE 74th St, Redmond
Who:
Sherry Krainick, WSPTSA Legislative Director
Frank Ordway, Gov Relations Director, LEV
Kevin Teeley, President, Lake Wash Education Association
Cary Evans, Gov Relations Director, Stand for Children

District Reflections Gallery Walk Reception: Tuesday, January 13th, 2015, 6:30-8:00pm. Gallery Walk (come and go anytime during this time)  at  Issaquah High School Commons area

Focus Day – January 19^th – bring your kids, have a fun day.  For more details watch for an email from Dea Barnett

Nominating Committee Training coming in January

March 1^st – 100% Teacher Membership, All membership awards

March 1^st – All state PTA awards

March 31^st – Golden Acorn Reception

April 17^th-19^th – State PTA Convention I Bellevue

President’s To Do List – October 2014

Elementary PTA & the Principal is November 20^th 10-12pm

Keep working on getting your Board trained, the goal is to have everyone done in 2014

Friends of Youth Breakfast — http://www.friendsofyouth.org/yfsbreakfasts.aspx

Link to the 2014 Healthy Youth Survey www.issaquah.wednet.edu/family/health/HYS.aspx

Students in 6^th/8^th/10^th/12^th will take the Healthy Youth Survey the week of the October 13, 2014

Work with your Principal on how PTA will partner with the school to provide Run, Hide Fight training for parents

Last PTA and the Law – Nov. 13^th, 6:00-9:00pm, PCMS, register by Nov. 11th. Register here. 

2 Training Options Next Month:

• Both options will run from 11:45-12:45
• Will count as training
• 2 options are Facebook 101 for your PTA OR Website Update 101

Register Now for the WSPTA Legislative Assembly! The 2014 WSPTA Legislative Assembly will be held on October 24-25, 2014 at the Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver Washington Register Now at https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1616816 

Betsy Cohen is coordinating services for families in crisis with PTA & ISF.  betsywcohen@gmail.com

If you have collected Voice Mentors names please pass them on to, weldonm@issaquah.wednet.edu

All Communications Questions are directed to the Communication Director L Michelle at michellel@issaquah.wednet.edu

ISF Updates —  October 21^st & October 28^th Calling Nights, ISF Honk n Wave in November will be looking for volunteers, and please send in All in for Kids donation if your PTA is making one

November 6, 2014 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm  Everyone is invited to hear Kelly Munn, of the League of Education Voters, speak about the upcoming Legislative session. In addition to having an insider’s view of legislative happenings, Kelly is one of our own, a former Issaquah PTSA Council Advocacy chair, and has lots of insight as to how our Issaquah PTSA powerhouse can influence what happens in Olympia for the benefit of public education in Washington State. Guaranteed to be enlightening and entertaining. LOCATION: Jody Mull’s House  6061 167th Ave SE Bellevue, WA 98006

Standards of Excellence Check list – can be found on the Council Website

Please send any Parent Ed happenings at your school to Judy Babb at wjbms@aol.com

You should be recruiting your Nominating Committee, for approval at your next GM

Please send all your GM dates, all school events, and Parent Ed dates to Cindy Kelm at kelmcindy@gmail.com

Washington State Bylaws Survey — https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wsptabylaws

Washington State PTA Uniform Bylaws can be found at http://www.wastatepta.org/resources/bylaws/Bylaws_2014.pdf

Washington State Leadership Handbook — http://www.wastatepta.org/leadership/leadership_packet/leadership_packet_14/Leadership_2014.pdf

Literacy Speaker – Matt Glover November 17^th at the ISD Admin Bldg 6:30-8:30pm

Dates to Remember –

• Council Dues Due – October 31
• District Reflections deadline to submit student work:   Thursday, November 20th, 11:30am-1:30pm – Location Issaquah Library Meeting Room
• District Reflections Gallery Walk Reception: Tuesday, January 13th, 2015, 6:30-8:00pm. Gallery Walk (come and go anytime during this time)  at  Issaquah High School Commons area

State Due Dates –

• October 25 — Initial Payment of Membership Service Fees
• November 10 — Liability Insurance Payment to AIM
  
• November 15 — IRS Form 990 / 990EZ / 990-N (e-postcard) To Internal Revenue Service
• March 1^st – 100% Teacher Membership