Leadership News, April 25, 2024

Thank You PTA Volunteers

Washington State PTA is proud to express our heartfelt appreciation to all our amazing volunteers. Your tireless efforts, boundless enthusiasm, and unwavering support have truly transformed each of your school communities. From organizing events to spearheading fundraisers, your contributions have made a lasting impact. Thank you for your commitment, creativity, and care. We are deeply grateful to each one of you for making our schools a better place for all our children and families.  

Convention Corner

Are You Excited About WSPTA Convention?

We are - there’s something for everyone!

  • Business - Vote on bylaws amendments and elections
  • Speakers - Be inspired by Blaire Penry, Washington's Teacher of the Year, and other speakers. For more information – check out the Featured Speakers page on our website.
  • Classes - Expand your professional development by taking classes to enhance your skills. Details about each class and the handouts for each session will be available on Whova to download.
  • Schedule - Plan out your weekend using the schedule on the Whova app – our platform for all things Convention related!
  • Awards - Celebrate PTAs doing amazing work in their communities through recognition of local PTA and council Awards of Excellence, and membership awards.
  • Sponsors and Exhibitors - Visit our sponsors and exhibitors for fresh ideas and to make new contacts. You also won’t want to miss taking your picture with Blitz from the Seahawks at the Welcome Reception on Friday, May 17th!
  • And so much more!!!

Whova App - Coming Soon

We will be using Whova for this Convention. The app will be up and running in the first week of May. You will receive an email asking you to download the app to your phone or whatever device you will be taking to the Convention. If you have used Whova before, you’ll need to log in and update the app for this event. 

Here’s a glimpse of some of the features Whova provides:

  • Classes, their description and handouts
  • Presenters
  • Access to maps of the facility and services
  • Ask questions of presenters and the event coordinators
  • Participate in polls
  • Share photos
  • Start discussion on various topics
  • Network with other leaders from around the state
  • Set up in-person meetups at the event or message other attendees through the app
  • Participate in the fun of ice-breakers as a way to get to know others
  • This tool is all about making connections!

The more you participate in the discussions and activities in Whova, the more points you receive for the Whova app use contest!

Scholarship Basket Raffle

The scholarship basket raffle is your opportunity to donate to the WSPTA scholarship fund. Your PTA or individuals can donate a basket for the raffle. Or if you can’t donate, please plan to attend the Convention and purchase lots of tickets for the raffle! For more information, contact Scholarship Basket co-chairs with any questions.

Registration Deadline

What are you waiting for? Register today for the Washington State PTA Convention and Annual Meeting. Bookmark the convention webpage.  

Voting delegates need to register by noon on May 6th. Regular attendees will still be able to register after that date until noon May 15th.

Convention Tip:
Pay It Forward

For those returning for the 2nd, 3rd, or 10th time, we are excited to have you back! As you walk through the doors of the Lynnwood Event Center, think back to your first time at a WSPTA Convention. What do you remember from that first experience? Why do you return to Convention?

Please help us with welcoming and helping our new attendees this year as they make connections and their own positive memories. Feel free to connect with others on Whova, join them for lunch/dinner, and be a source of information and support. We are all PTA! Thank you vintage leaders for your experience and passion, and welcome to our new leaders and attendees starting your PTA journey!

Advocacy Submission Process Open

As a grassroots association, WSPTA relies on our members to direct our advocacy at the state level and within our communities. All PTA members are encouraged to submit an issue, resolution, or legislative principle that addresses concerns that affect children state-wide.

At the 2024 Legislative Assembly, delegates will debate and vote on these submissions and whether to add them to our platform. This year is especially important as we will be voting on a new Top 5 to focus on over the next two years.

The submission process is now open. For complete instructions and deadlines for submitting, visit the new Submissions page.

Learn more about WSPTA advocacy here.

Members of the WSPTA Advocacy Committee will hold two “office hours” sessions to support members with the submission process and to answer any questions:

May 8, 7-8 pm Register Here 

May 9, 12-1 pm Register Here

Founder's Day Campaign Report

Through the generosity of the many sponsors and supporters of Washington State PTA, we were able to raise $518 with our Founder's Day fundraising campaign this year. Several other local and council PTAs throughout Washington held similar campaigns. Together we give voice to all the children and families in our state. Great work! 

Attention NEW PTAs

If your PTA has chartered or re-affiliated with WSPTA between July 2020 and now, we have some exciting news for you! 

Please email grow@wastatepta.org for details.

Givebacks Membership Database Transition

As you’ve heard, we will be switching membership databases from memberplanet to Givebacks (formerly MemberHub) on July 1. We are so excited about this switch and have seen a lot of positive feedback from everyone. If you missed attending one of the two welcome webinars, you can view them here.  

Be sure to sign your PTA up for the 1:1 meeting with Givebacks, so you learn how to set up webpages, connect your bank account for ACH transactions, learn how to fundraise using Givebacks, how to manually enter members if you use paper forms, and how to set up online to join.  If you are not able to attend a 1:1 meeting, there will be some other webinars coming soon, or you can view set-up information on the Givebacks website.  If you think your PTA will use Givebacks for fundraising, it's important to schedule a 1:1 session.

Finally, even though we are making the switch to Givebacks, please be sure to:

  • Continue entering your members into memberplanet. All your members will be transferred over to your new Givebacks account as contacts to reach out to in the next year.
  • Enter your new/incoming officers for the 2024-25 PTA year into memberplanet under the committee tab. We will be transferring all officer information from memberplanet over to Givebacks.

More questions about Givebacks? Visit their FAQ page or contact Jenn Talingo, WSPTA Membership Director.

Welcome New Members!

Let's welcome Panther Lake PTA 9.4.50, in the Federal Way School District in Federal Way, Washington, and Bellevue Digital Discovery PTSA 2.3.100 in Bellevue School District 17405 in Bellevue, Washington.

2023-24 Student Program Results Announced

Heartfelt congratulations and a big thank you to all the students and families who attended the WSPTA Student Celebrations event on Saturday, April 20th, at the Juanita High School Performing Arts Center.

Check out the Student Showcase on our website to see the full list of names and categories.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Photo credits: Thank you to Puyallup Council for sending us these pictures.

Tip of the Week
Nominating Committee Process

The nominating committee is arguably the most important committee for your PTA. The committee's charge, to select candidates to fill officer positions, is key to the success and sustainability of your PTA.

Committee members must maintain confidentiality and work to identify the best-qualified candidates, which may or may not be someone currently in the position seeking a second term or someone who has expressed interest in the position. They must consider who is best to carry forward the mission of the PTA, keeping the children at the center of any decision-making process.

Here are some helpful ideas regarding the recruiting process:

  • Asking in person is always best. Tell them why they would be a good fit. People like to feel like they were sought out for a reason.
  • People tend to volunteer more easily if their friends are doing it too. So, if you can find one person, they may be able to bring friends along.
  • If you can have at least one person agree to be nominated from the floor at the election meeting, others will be more likely to follow.
  • Ask the principal who they think are strong candidates and/or parent volunteers. They may know people you don't.
  • At middle/high schools, look at feeder pattern schools that are coming up, and people who have been active in elementary PTAs.
  • Give job descriptions (they are found in WSPTA Uniform Bylaws). Shared or 'co-' positions are okay as long as approved or amended according to your PTA's standing rules.
  • Make sure people know all terms are for one year, not two. Though not mandatory, they are eligible to be re-elected for a second term.

The nominating committee will submit the slate at least 15 days before the election. Any unfilled positions will be listed as "open". The election meeting should be publicized well ahead of time (four weeks is sufficient) and you should note that nominations will be taken from the floor, meaning that even if the slate is filled, anyone is eligible to be nominated from the floor or nominate themselves. Sometimes empty spots are filled this way. If the positions are not filled at the election meeting, the executive committee can appoint an interim officer for those positions. At each following membership meeting, nominations are taken from the floor, until someone is elected. 

More information can be found in the WSPTA Policy manual in section 3.6 and the Nominating Committee & Elections handbook located in the password-protected section of the website, Leadership Guides.

NATIONAL PTA NEWS

National PTA Level Up PTA

National PTA is excited to announce that registration for our Level Up PTA 2024 Virtual Convention is now open! You're invited to join us from June 27-29 to connect with PTA leaders, parents, families, and educators to boost your impact on every child in your community.

This year, for our virtual convention, we will facilitate networking time, live business and voting, and a general education session on emerging issues facing our children and youth. 

Register Now: National PTA 2024 Virtual Convention, Tue, Jun 25th, 2024 @ 10:00 AM Accelevents.

Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars 

5/8, 7:00 - 8:00 PMAdvocacy Committee Office Hours
5/9, 12:00 - 1:00 PMAdvocacy Committee Office Hours
5/17 - 5/192024 Convention and Annual Meeting

Sponsored By

Leadership News
April 25, 2024

Washington State PTA
15 Oregon Avenue, Suite 202
Tacoma WA 98409
253-214-7410

support@wastatepta.org