Letter from the President
As the end of the year draws near, I would like to first say Thank You! This has been a year like no other, and one that won’t be forgotten. It has been a year filled with a multitude of challenges, and you have adapted quickly to serve your school families. Your passion and dedication has not gone unnoticed, and I appreciate each and every one of you! No matter what the challenges have been, we have persevered together as a team, and came out stronger. Often we find our greatest successes in the most difficult of times, and I am sure it has been the same for you.
Working together this past year has been a pleasure, and SCPTA is proud to have all of you with us. Best wishes and happiness to you and your families over this festive season. I am excited and hopeful to see what 2021 has in store for us.
Happy Holidays! Mandy Mitchell
To Do List:
Today we are electing our Nominating Committee for Springfield Council. We need one member from each of the five SPS High School attendance areas. The decision of this committee will affect the future of your unit and council! This committee needs a variety of people who are willing to really look at candidates for their merit, ability, and courage to express ideas and defend their convictions. This is not a time consuming committee, but an important one. Please consider helping us.
“Develop an attitude of gratitude and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” —Brian Tracy
Treasurer’s Report and Tips for Treasurers
We’ve had slow transitions getting our units going this year but we can still get on track. If your unit had a slow start, or is waiting to get started, and you need help figuring it out, please let me know and we can go over what you have and what you need.
These are the “must haves” to be in good standing (this allows your principals and students to be eligible for scholarships, reflections, programs, grants etc):
1) annual dues paid to SCPTA / $35;
2) a MOPTA financial review form completed and signed by 3 people who are not signers on the bank account and sent to MOPTA (email office1@mopta.org );
3) a Year End Report of your unit’s finances sent to MOPTA (this shows where your money came from and where it went. As a non-profit this is IRS required reporting).
4) IRS form 990 filed (use www.file990.org) Have your Unit ID ready. If you dont’ know it, ask us.
5) any dues you have received for your unit memberships must have the State and National portion sent monthly to MOPTA which is $4.25 per membership. This can be paid by check. Keep good records of your memberships. MOPTA has a form you can use.
Other “do it now” items for treasurers includes getting any new signatures set up at your bank. Get your school year budget ready for your unit to vote on (a budget committee will do this as defined in your bylaws) if you haven’t already done this.
Remember: PTA fiscal year starts July 1st and ends June 30. Your reports should reflect transactions during this time; and your bylaws should identify this as your fiscal year. If your bylaws have other dates, let us know. That can be adjusted.
Thank you for serving your PTA!! Becky Volz, Treasurer (treasurer@scptamo.com)
PTA Clothing Bank
Reflections
Jessica Rosa, our Reflections Chair, got to Zoom with several of our Reflections schools during the three training sessions that she hosted this past month. We are off to a good start.
The Deadline for Reflections Entry Submissions is Tuesday, December 15th.
The Reflections Chair should gather the entries and entry forms from each participant prior to the deadline. We suggest making your school deadline a week or so before the December 15th deadline so you will have a chance to gather all the items needed.
Once you have all your entries and entry forms you can submit each entry and its pictures to both MOPTA.org (via your account log in) and SCPTA (by email to Reflections@scptamo.com, please include the school and student in the subject line, only one entry per email.)
Keep in mind that the awards or placement that a student receives here in Springfield will not automatically place them at state or national, Springfield Placement is just another way for us to honor our students locally.
Jessica and I are here to help, please contact us at Reflections@scpta.com and one of us will contact you. Check the website for updates. Christi Matthews, VP of Programs
Reading is Fundamental
We held the first distribution to the schools in October, we were able to make up sets of books for each 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade teacher, & give books to the lunch ladies for virtual students. The RIF president and David Harrison recorded a video that played to the students in the school as a kickoff. The reports we received from Dr. Methvin were that it was a great success and greatly appreciated. The lunchroom staff loved being able to provide the choice of books to the students and their families. The teachers have a lot on their plates, but they seemed happy to add this to their long lists of activities.
We have some funding from National RIF, but donations from PTAs would be greatly appreciated. If some want to volunteer in January to help set out the books, help put in the book plates, and sort the books and motivational sheets into the bags to the 1st and 2nd grade classrooms they would be welcome. If your school has a person who would like to serve as RIF coordinator for your school and/or volunteer just email me. As I said, it is a challenge, and we are up to it!
Contact Peggy Stepp at: rifspringfieldmo@gmail.com
Missouri PTA Legislative Update
MOPTA Legislative Priorities
Each year the Missouri PTA Department of Legislation & Advocacy develops a set of priorities that are expected to be addressed in the upcoming Missouri Legislative session. As unexpected issues emerge, Missouri PTA will act in accordance with the Resolutions and Position Statements that have been approved by the membership. A complete list of Missouri PTA Resolutions and Position Statements are available on our website under Resolutions. The National PTA Resolutions and Position Statements can be found here.
JC/DC Member-to-Member Network
The JC/DC network is an email alert system designed to inform members when their voice is needed with regard to pending legislation in both Jefferson City and Washington D.C. To apply for membership click here or download the JC/DC form. Forms can be faxed, emailed or mailed to the main office (office@mopta.org).
From the Parliamentarian
Donna Petiford
Frequently Asked Question – The Nominating Committee
Can a member of the nominating committee be considered for an officer position?
Yes. Members of the nominating committee may be considered for office.
When the committee is discussing that individual, the individual should step out of the room.
See more about Nominating Committees at this link.
Wishing You Safe and Happy Holidays from Springfield Council of PTAs!
https://www.facebook.com/SCPTAs
https://www.facebook.com/ThePTAClothingBank
SCPTA President’s Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1631362246972323
Springfield Council of PTAs 