PTSA Convention Highlights from Scooter Sagee

  • Presidents should use their team. Farm out the work that needs attention. Presidents should be fully aware of ALL positions.
  • DO NOT TAKE OVER YOUR POSITIONS but let volunteers help.
  • Volunteers SHINE use them!
  • Find what direction your PTSA is going
  • Activities- you do (give list)
  • Activities- you didn’t and why
  • What activities should we do?
  • Work within your local community
  • Take advantage of any training
  • Each chair should have a notebook about it (committee not books)
  • Have a board retreat- gather for 3-4 hours to set goals for the up and coming year and work really hard on communication
  • If more then 1 position has 2 people, make sure they have all the training
  • President or president elect not co-chair
  • PTSA can work with ASB but only in a contract
  • President should never enter a meeting alone
  • Know when your PTSA started, National started in 1897
  • Make certain that records are available for members but don’t give copies. This falls on the treasurer but he/she should ask questions like is there something I could answer?
  • Membership is a tax deduction
  • Do we have fidelity bond?
  • Should we have property coverage?
  • Make sure we have proper handling of PTSA funds
  • Main rule in PTSA is 2 signers on a check
  • Get rid of parking lot talk
  • A receipt should be given for all funds received
  • Staff should not handle funds while on the clock
  • Don’t store PTSA funds in school safe because then it becomes ASB’s money
  • Can teacher be signers in our school?
  • Think about using lock boxes for money that is entered into classrooms due to audit bases. President has key as well as the chair of the fundraiser
  • Check should be written as followed sue to being taxed on it: Pay to the order of John Doe custodian for carnival
  • What is the CORE to run our PTSA
  • Do we have a contact for our PTSA room?
  • Protect members interests
  • Promote parent involvement
  • Membership
  • Prepare a plan for your campaign
  • Define the value of PTSA for your community
  • Prepare materials
  • Evaluate programs
  • Separate membership table from volunteer table
  • Game plan: plan now, lay out a timeline, select committee memebers, determine needs, find out what is successful in our PTSA, and have goals
  • Campaign ideas: contests, open house, registration, press release, back to school night, display boards/theme, and contact previous members
  • Who can join? Anybody!
  • Male involvement: get fathers and other male role models involved in PTSA. Get goals for fathers
  • Let’s put the “T” back in PTSA with teacher involvement
  • Student involvement
  • Do we have volunteer time available?
  • I have several ideas listed for fundraisers, too many to list 
  • Sign up sheets for teachers to help
  • Can we do a movie night and elementary level?
  • Do Fundraisers when needed, give kids a break!

In Conclusion:

  • Be responsible board members
  • Comply with state and federal regulations
  • Properly handle all PTSA funds
  • Build a working relationship with your school

Had a really great time at convention. Would be nice to have the time to be over there longer and get other classes in. Look forward to possible using ideas that I learned for the up and coming school year!

Thank You!

Scooter Sagee