A Letter from Your Council President
Council Goals:
1. To provide leadership development for local units and council board members
2. To serve as a resource for education, parenting information and legislative issues
3. To encourage parent and public involvement in the Springfield Public Schools
Welcome back to PTA/PTSA! It’s hard to imagine that we are entering our third school year that has been affected by COVID. With the uncertainty around the COVID-19 delta variant, Springfield Council of PTAs leadership decided to make a rolling 90-day plan and remain focused on the things we know we can do well. As we begin the new school year, we are committed to supporting our students, families, teachers, and staff in every way that we can safely.
Our PTA Clothing Bank remains open every other week, and we are looking for ways to better accommodate the new 3-tiered school schedules. Our Reflections program is up and running and training will be happening soon. We will continue to advocate for every child at the local, state, and national level.
We are proud of the role our PTA/PTSAs continue to play to support our schools with items such as teacher grants, library books, field trips, enrichment programs for students and community-building family events throughout the year. Given the COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve seen the adjustments you are making, and we appreciate how you’ve faced the challenges of thinking “outside the building”. Please know that your PTA Council leadership is here to support you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
The Council provides many communication tools to help keep your unit on track and up to date with what is happening in the district, with Missouri PTA, and with National PTA programs. We also try to provide information and training through our newsletter, website, and Facebook. We also keep you informed about legislative issues that affect your children and their education with timely emails.
Our Council meetings will be held monthly on the 1st Wednesday of the month. For the first 90 days, we are planning to hold these meetings via Zoom at 10am. We hope to be back in the buildings later this school year. We are here to answer your questions and help you. So please plan to attend the meetings and get to know us because we want to be there for you and your units.
Sarah Whitten, SCPTA President
Memberships
Click Here for More Information about PTA Member Discounts
Request a PTA Membership Card Template from Missouri PTA office1@mopta.org
Mandy Mitchell, VP Organization and Development
Treasurer’s Report
For a detailed report, please see Moneyminder.biz and login with username: council@scptamo.com password: SCPTA.658
Tips for Treasurers – Sept 2021
When starting a new year, it’s important to make sure the previous year is completed and wrapped up nicely with a bow on top! The ‘road to the bow’ includes:
1-making sure all dues from last year’s memberships were sent to MOPTA;
2-have in your possession all bank statements through June 30, 2021 (or your fiscal year end month);
3-create your ‘end-of-year’ report and be sure your ending balance matches the ending balance on the June bank statement;
4-get a copy of the Financial Review form from MOPTA or SCPTA and fill in the blanks with the numbers from your end-of-year report and bank statement, give these forms along with your bank statements and checkbook register to your audit committee, after they approve the reports, your general membership votes to approve, then send both reports to MOPTA;
5-file your IRS 990 at file990.org, have your unit’s EIN number handy, the form will typically autofill after you put in your EIN for your unit; if you don’t know it, ask a SCPTA officer;
6-if a new treasurer is taking over, transfer all records including backup paperwork for expenses and income, bank statements, IRS past filings, forms and documents related to your unit’s financial transactions and history; treasurer reports and documents prepared for your unit, council or MOPTA, Missouri DOR Form 126, minutes from unit meetings recording votes for financial decisions, passwords to paypal or other online payment services and reports from these showing income and transfers or expenditures. Having a 3-ring binder with dividers and documents in sheet protectors works great for organizing and avoiding loss of important information. Our SCPTA Treasurer is available for questions if you feel like a deer in the headlights. Email to treasurer@scptamo.com
For More Treasurer’s Tips and Tricks: please see our website for Treasurer Resources and helpful information
Becky Volz, Treasurer
PTA Clothing Bank
For shopping dates, volunteer schedule, and frequently asked questions, please see our website: https://scptamo.com/the-pta-clothing-bank/
Taryn Raidel, VP Public Services
Reflections
Save the Dates!
Join us for Reflections training via Zoom on Oct 7th @ 7pm – email your contact information to reflections@scptamo.com. Approximately a week prior to the Zoom event, meeting information will be emailed. Hope to see you there! (allow 20-30 minutes)
You can learn more about Reflections at https://scptamo.com/2020-reflections-dates/
October 7, 2021 – SCPTA Reflections Training via Zoom
November 1, 2021 – The Reflections theme search ends. For more information about how to submit an idea for an upcoming Reflections theme visit.
December 15, 2021 – Submit your top 3 entries to State at MOPTA.org, results are posted mid-March on the Council’s Facebook page. Any entries advanced and recognized by the National PTA are posted early May.
January 14th, 2022 – Submit your top 3 entries to the Council – location is currently undetermined.
February 20, 2022 – Awards celebration for Springfield Council of PTAs (Citywide) judging– location is currently undetermined.
Jessica Rosa, VP Programs
Building a More Diverse, Equitable & Inclusive PTA
An organization that recognizes diversity values differences and similarities among people through its actions and accountability. These characteristics include age, ethnicity, gender, language and culture, socioeconomic status, among many different things.
When PTAs respect differences yet acknowledge shared commonalities uniting their communities, and then develop meaningful priorities based upon their knowledge, they genuinely represent their communities. When PTAs represent their communities, they gain strength and effectiveness through increased volunteer and resource support.
https://www.pta.org/home/run-your-pta/Diversity-Equity-Inclusion
On Facebook look for National PTA Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach Facebook Group
https://scptamo.com/diversity-equity-inclusion-resources/
Toi Allen, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Advisor
Parliamentary Tips
Parliamentary procedure requires that all members have equal rights; that there be mutual respect among board members; that the rights of the minority to initiate motions, debate, and have their votes counted be protected, while at the same time the will of the majority governs.
Only one item may be under consideration at a time.
The majority vote decides the question.
Any question that limits board members’ rights of discussion or changes the agreed order of business requires a 2/3 vote of the members present.
Any matter once decided cannot be brought up again at the same meeting, except by a motion to reconsider.
The simplest, clearest and most expeditious way to conduct business is considered proper, as long as it does not violate the rights of members.
For more parliamentary tips, please see our website: https://scptamo.com/officer-resources/parliamentarian-questions/
Donna Petiford, Parliamentarian and Legislative Chair
National PTA Resources
PTA members at all levels of the association support the mission of making every child’s potential a reality. National PTA has gathered a few great resources to help you navigate all the moments in your family’s life, big and small.
Especially as we navigate this uncertain school year, we hope the tools of PTA can help you meet new challenges.
Apply for grants to help your PTA develop programs for families
Foster a love of the arts in your school and encourage participation in our Reflections program
Hear from experts on topics relevant to you on PTA’s Podcast created for parents, by parents—Notes from the Backpack
Promote Healthy Minds in your school community with the resources PTA developed with help from our partners and sponsors
Connect with a community of PTA leaders, volunteers and families from across the country
*Thurs. Sept 30 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and volunteers 10am – 4:30pm Location: 2343 W Olive St, 65802
Fri. – Sun. Oct 1-3 – Missouri PTA Convention click here for more details: https://mopta.org/2021-missouri-pta-convention/
Wed. Oct 6 – Council Meeting 10:00 am – via Zoom
*Thurs. Oct 14 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and volunteers 10am – 4:30pm Location: 2343 W Olive St
Wed. Oct 20 – SCPTA Executive Board Meeting – 10:00 am – via Zoom
+Fri. Oct 22 – Students out of school
*Thurs. Oct 28 – PTA Clothing Bank open for shoppers and volunteers 10am – 4:30pm Location: 2343 W Olive St, 65802
Springfield Council of PTAs 