Helping local PTA leaders run effective units
and develop their leadership skills.

Note: PTA Local Leader News will not be published the week of December 25, 2007. We hope that you enjoy a wonderful holiday break with your family and friends. Please look for the next issue of PTA Local Leader News on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

PTA January Membership Campaign: Final Preparations

As 2007 comes to a close and schools let out for winter break, there are a few important tasks to complete in preparation for the "New Year… New Opportunities" PTA January Membership Campaign:

• Arrange to have a PTA membership table at your school's January events.
  
  
• Confirm reservations for marquee, Web, and newsletter advertisements.
  
  
• Send out invitations or fliers for your membership drive event. Make sure families know that members and nonmembers are invited.
  
  
• Check in with the planning team on remaining tasks and milestones.
  
  
• Finalize the details of your membership drive event. Confirm donations from local businesses and place final orders for food, supplies, and any other materials needed.
  
  
• Order banners, posters, and other promotional pieces from your local copy shop or printer.
  
  
• Prepare and print fliers, handout cards, brochures, yard signs, door hangs, membership forms, stickers, etc., so you can immediately jump into your activities when you return from winter break.

Check out the PTA January Membership Campaign resources: pta.org/newyear

Big Things in Store for PTA Take Your Family to School Week 2008

Local PTAs have big plans for connecting families and schools this February 10-16 during Take Your Family to School Week. The PTA national office received nearly 360 award applications. The review process is underway, and those units receiving the $1,897 cash awards will be notified Monday, December 17.

Here's a sneak peek at what some PTAs are planning for Take Your Family to School Week 2008:

• Nights for families to explore books, math, science, technology, and art together.
  
  
• Celebrations of diversity with dance, song, food, and language from around the world.
  
  
• School quilts and murals with community participation.
  
  
• Parent roundtables with school principals and PTA presidents.
  
  
• Skate nights, game nights, open gyms, Valentine's lunches, and parent-child dances.
  
  
• Orientation nights to welcome families of students entering the school the next year.

This year's PTA Take Your Family to School Week Awards are presented by PTA Proud National Sponsor AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA Equitable. The Foundation's signature program, AXA Achievement(sm), provides resources that help make college possible: access and advice. Visit axa-achievement.com.

Apply for the PTA Outstanding Advocacy Award

Has your PTA unit influenced decision makers or effected important change this past year? Working with elected officials and community leaders continues PTA's rich tradition as a powerful voice for all children, and at the 2008 National Legislative Conference PTA will honor the advocacy success of two eligible units: one state and one local or district.

In addition to cash prizes, the winning units will each receive two all-expense paid* trips to the 2008 conference and be recognized at an award ceremony on Capitol Hill, Thursday, February 28. Please visit the PTA website for more award information. The deadline for submission is Friday, January 4, 2008.

* Expenses include and are limited to round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, conference registration and materials, and per-diem food expenses.

Why Bother?

Following is a continuing series of topics on why local units should be interested in membership, with ideas on increasing new members and retaining current members.

The calendar year is coming to an end and the PTA year is well underway. Why should you bother to ready a membership drive for 2008?

1. Holiday madness will wane!
   After the holiday break, attention finally gets refocused on school. Be ready to wow your community with a well-planned campaign. Trumpet your successes and re-engage your community in the true needs of students and schools. With few distractions, January is a perfect month to have your message heard in your community.
   
   
   • Use your New Year, New Opportunities Membership Kit for ideas on how to run your campaign.

Read four more reasons to run a
New Year membership drive online!

Don't Let Recess Fade Away

Did you know that currently, only 8 state school boards of education have a written policy to protect and promote daily recess? As parents and teachers it is up to you to get involved to ensure that physical activity is a part of each school day. So what can you do to help your kids? Get involved with the Rescuing Recess campaign.

Now in its second year, Rescuing Recess seeks to build awareness and provide practical solutions that empower kids, teachers, parents, and the community to promote the importance of recess for student wellness and academic performance.

This year, National Recess Week 2007 (Sept. 24 – 28) kicked-off  a 1 million volunteer hours challenge for schools nationwide to garner support for physical activity and recess in elementary schools during the 2007-2008 school year.

To date nearly 2,000 schools have signed up for the challenge. Is your kid’s school one of them?

By volunteering one hour a month to be a recess monitor, your local elementary school could win $25,000! Visit www.rescuingrecess.com or call (800) 261-8721 to sign-up and get a free playground equipment kit! Kids need recess and recess needs YOU! 

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