Welcome to the PTA Council of Howard County

Focus Newsletter for the First Week of June

1. Health & Wellness Committee
2. 9 Scholarships Awarded
3. Treasurer’s To Do this month
4. Leadership & Training Opportunities
5. Elections – send new officers contact info now
6. Looking Ahead by Looking Back
7. Calendar of Events

PREPARE FOR SUCCESS (backpack supply drive)
Bring collected backpack supplies to the June 7th Council meeting OR the PTA (and individuals) can purchase for $25 two (or more) filled backpacks at: www.prepareforsuccess.org
Please be sure to list your PTA for statistical purposes

PTAC HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE

“Over the past couple years, Howard County schools, parents, and students have become more interested in issues related to health and wellness. With the Healthy School awards, new wellness committees and projects, and the efforts to the PTAC Health & Wellness Committee, many new wellness initiatives are underway in our schools.

As the PTAC Health & Wellness Committee continues to expand over 100 members this summer, we would like to find out if your school has a Health, Wellness or Environmental Committee Chairperson and if you could share the name and contact information of that person with the PTAC Health & Wellness Committee?

We would like to reach out to those people and expand further collaborations between schools in preparation for the transition to next school year. Please email the Council office ptachc@gmail.com with the chair’s name, email, and PTA.

Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Brian Meshkin and Lisa Regnante
Outgoing Chair and Vice-Chair, PTA Council Health & Wellness Committee”

PTACHC SCHOLARSHIPS
The following graduating students were awarded PTACHC Scholarships. They were honored at their respective high school awards ceremony last week and most will be in attendance at our June 7th meeting.

Academic Scholarhsip
Muyinat Osoba, River Hill High School
Sean Huang, Centennial High School

Teacher Education Scholarship
Niklas Berry, Centennial High School
Catherine Ramis, Reservoir High School

Dr. Charles Ecker Community Service Scholarship
Jennifer Chase, Marriotts Ridge HS
Amanda Freishtat, River Hill High School
Elysha Johnson, Howard High School
Marissa Kidwell, Centennial High School
Brendan McNelly, Centennial High School

Treasurer's Trove
The end of the PTA's fiscal year is coming soon -June 30th. Be sure to ask for all disbursement receipt requests asap so that all bills can be paid by the end of the year and all checks be cleared.

The treasurer's last duty before retiring and turning the books over to the new treasurer or even if you are returning as Treasurer, per your bylaws, Maryland PTA bylaws and your insurance policy, there must be an audit (really a financial review) of this year’s books completed in July or August. This review report must be presented to your membership at your first general membership meeting in the fall.
For info on Preparation for the Annual Review, go to our website www.ptachc.org and click on Treasurer's Quick Tips. If you have any questions, please email the Council office at ptachc@gmail.com
Leadership & Training Opportunity
One of the greatest contributions the PTA makes to the community, aside from its education-oriented programs, is the training it provides for its leaders. The PTA provides training and tools that can be carried over into other organizations. Maryland PTA events are an opportunity to:
§ Gain valuable leadership skills
§ Meet new and seasoned leaders,
§ Network
§ Learn more about timely issues
§ Attend informational workshops
§ Vote on issues that affect the PTA
§ And most importantly, have FUN

There are two opportunities for leadership training.

One is June 10 at Faulkner Ridge Center at 7 pm. Registration at the door. Topics will be Presidents/VP’s, Treasurer’s, and Social Networking Sites/How to make it a communication tool for the PTA.

The second is the MD Summer Leadership Conference on July 17 . Once again, PTACHC is offering a 2 for 1 for up to 35 registrations. The local unit pays for one registration and PTACHC will pay for the second person to attend. Information on the conference will be out this week and when it comes out, we will let you know.

ELECTIONS
Many PTAs have had their elections but so far, Council has only received 15 new officers contact information. (out of 71 PTAs). As your PTA has its elections, please forward your officers contact information to the Council’s office. The form is at: http://www.ptachc.org/Cresources/Cforms/newofficersdirectoryform.doc Thank you. Deadline is June 15.

Thank you to AHS, BBES, BBMS, BPES, BSES, BMMS, Cedar Lane, CHS, CCES, FQMS, LKMS, Lisbon, MWMS, PRES, and WFES, who have sent in their new officer contact list. Send them by email (ptachc@gmail.com) or fax (410-740-1207) or pony to PTACHC @ Faulkner Ridge Whatever way is easiest for you but please do it as soon as your elections occur. Thank you.
Looking Ahead by Looking Back
By Tim Sullivan
One of the first steps in looking ahead is looking back. You've got to know where you are before you can figure out where you're going, ya know? Both for you as a leader and for your group as a whole, here are some discussion questions to help with the self-analysis:

· How is your school involvement affecting your family? Is it too much or is it in balance?
· Would others say that your involvement has you running crazy? Do you feel stressed about school "stuff"?
· What impression do average parents at your school have of your group? What do teachers/staff think?
· What was your best event last year? What about it worked so well? Can you do more like it?
· What was your least successful effort? How come? What are you changing as a result of it?
· Are there some volunteers who seem to have moved away from your group? Why?
· Can you name five less-involved parents who'd make great additions to your PTA team? What can you do to personally walk them up the involvement ladder?
· Are the folks who do connect with your group having fun?
These questions can help your PTA take a fresh and honest look at its involvement efforts. They're well worth asking.

CALENDAR
June 7 PTACHC General Meeting, 7:30 pm at ARL

June 10 PTACHC Sharing Workshop for presidents/vp’s, treasurer’s, and a

workshop on social networking sites
7 pm at Faulkner Ridge Center

June 30 PTA financial books are closed

July/August PTA audit/financial review to be completed

July 17 MD PTA Summer Leadership Conference (near BWI)

Thank you for being an advocate for every child with one voice.