March In Focus
STAY UP-TO-DATE ON PTA IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY!
It's Almost Spring! Happy March!
Happy Monday, Riverside County PTA and PTSA Leaders!
I hope that you are all doing well! It's officially Spring on March 20th, and with that comes longer days and the promise of summer! It also means that our time together is coming to a close. That's right! PTA and PTSA terms for all units, councils, and even 23rd District, end on June 30, and we will welcome in our brand-new board-elect!
Speaking of boards-elect, congratulations to the 2021-2023 23rd District PTA board-elect!
At the February 25, 2021 General Association meeting, the following individuals were elected for the coming term:
- President: Laura Lucas
- First Vice President of Leadership Services: Becca Marks-Anderson
- Second Vice President of Membership: Christen Vargo
- Secretary: Heather Shirk
- Treasurer: Rhonda James
- Auditor: Kaylene Dalke
- Historian: Mary Beth Loyal
As we head toward June, it's time to start looking forward and ensure that when our last quarter closes, we are able to hand over the business to our counterparts smoothly and transparently!
Information on events to help you prepare for next term will be coming out soon, and I think we are all hoping that next year will be different than this year. Hope is a wonderful thing in that way, it guides us to always look for the possibilities in the world around us. It's hope that drives what we do - hope and a lot of love.
PTA is about making it better - someone's life is better because you're in it.
You matter.
No matter what this next month brings, the work you do matters - and so do you.
- Becca
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You are receiving this newsletter because as a PTA leader in Riverside County (Council or Unit), you are a part of the 23rd District PTA family. Each month, we'll be sending this newsletter to help support you! There is a whole chain of PTA support to help you - unit to council to district. Families support each other - and we are here to support you. You matter, and we are very glad that you are here.
Reach out to us for help: Help@23rdDistrict.org
Find support on our website: www.23rdDistrict.org
Join us on Facebook: 23rd District PTA
Access the California State PTA 2020-2021 Social Media Kits Here.
Reflections 2020-2021 - "I Matter Because..." 23rd District Reflections Showcase
We cordially invite you to join us on March 31, 2021 at 5:00 P.M., for the launch of the 23rd District PTA virtual Reflections gallery!
Joining us is simple! Just navigate to www.23rd.District.org at 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, where our Reflections gallery link will go live on our main webpage and social media. Navigate the gallery and enjoy the work of our incredibly talented student artists, and then celebrate our Award of Merit recipients as well as our Award of Excellence advancing artists!
MOBILE DEPOSITS DURING COVID
Appropriate accounting procedures should be followed for all deposits made by your unit. All checks should be documented via a Cash Verification Form, and the deposit receipt must be attached to the form for record-keeping purposes. Further, the checks included in the mobile deposit should be attached to the CVF with the deposit receipt.
Make sure it is clearly noted that the checks have already been deposited so that they are not redeposited in error, and that all record-keeping is absolutely transparent!
DIGITAL SIGNATURES ARE AN OPTION!
The purchase of a license is a permitted unit expense (with approval!), however, there are free options, including Adobe Reader, PandaDoc and more.
Have questions? Reach out to us at Help@23rdDistrict.org!
"CAN WE WRITE THIS CHECK?"
Follow Procedure When Authorizing Expenditures!
It takes more than Adopting the Budget to legally spend PTA funds! CAPTA has designed a handy chart to help make sure your PTA is spending appropriately! Check out the attached "Can We Write This Check?" handout, and it will help ensure that every time your PTA writes a check, it's done right!
Council and Unit Annual Historian Reports are DUE MAY 1!
We do what we do out of sheer love, but it's always important to illustrate the extraordinary value our work holds - and the Annual Historian Report is one of the ways we make that happen!
Just because we haven't been on campus, doesn't mean that we aren't working - every hour counts! In fact, you'll even estimate the hours you'll spend working through the end of the year! Calculate all of those hours, including your estimated hours, and include them in your report. A great way to illustrate the investment of PTA in student success is to calculate the value of those estimated hours and share both hours and dollar value with your principals and school boards!
Make sure you send those reports through channels - to your Council if in-Council, or right to us if Out-of-Council.
Reports are attached!
Send Council and OOC Unit Reports to Office@23rdDistrict.org
Insurance Premiums Were Due in December - Did Your Unit Remit?
A great benefit of PTA is that we get a fantastic deal on insurance coverage - but keeping that coverage means making sure the premium is paid!
If your unit did not remit its insurance premium by the deadline, there is now a late fee of $25 due in addition to the premium, and units who have not paid are now NGS - that's Not Good Standing! Contact us ASAP to get your unit back in Good Standing and in proper working order!
Contact President@23rdDistrict.org or Treasurer@23rdDistrict.org regarding insurance premium payments
ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HAPPENING SOON!
Per the Toolkit ("Running Your PTA, pp.R16), elections should occur by the second week in April. If your unit or council is struggling with elections or needs support - we are here to help!
Reach out to Help@23rdDistrict.org, and we can answer questions or even help facilitate virtual elections for your unit or council!
CHECK OUT THE VIRTUAL MEETING CODE OF CONDUCT!
Navigating meetings isn't always easy - and sometimes virtual meetings can be even more difficult. Adopting a code of conduct for meetings can help make everything easier, and we've got one for you - straight from the CAPTA Leadership Monthly Mock Meeting!
Check out the Virtual Meeting Code of Conduct attachment!
Mid-Year Audits are Due!
The first audit period for the year (July 1 - December 31) has ended, and that means it is time for the Mid-Year Audit!
Don't forget to have bank statements and bank reconciliations reviewed, signed, and dated by a non-checksigner, and don't forget that the audit must be completed by a qualified auditor, or by an audit committee.
Don't forget to review the attached Audit Q&A to help ensure your audits are *chef's kiss* perfect, and you can also click the link to view the CAPTA blog audit steps: https://capta.org/your-mid-year-audit-in-5-easy-steps-step-1/
Have questions? Reach out to your Council, or if needed, reach out to us! Auditor@23rdDistrict.org.
Focus on Equity
At our February 25th General Association meeting, our Vice President of Advocacy shared this powerful statement on the importance of equity for our children. A huge part of the work that we do is working to ensure that every child has the opportunity to be successful - and a vital piece of that is recognizing that we have to start where they are to level the playing field. That means recognizing the inequities impacting the education and experience of children, and working to change it for the better!
23rd District AWARDS!
Do you know an outstanding administrator? An incredible teacher? Someone who had done extraordinary work for your unit? Share with us!
23rd District PTA wants to recognize you and the wonderful things you have done as we close out this crazy term!
Check out the attached awards application and share your reasons to celebrate with us - all submissions will be recognized, and your unit or council might win a 23rd District PTA award!
*Note: Awards@23rdDistrict.org is for award submissions only and is not monitored. Questions should be directed to President@23rdDistrict.org
CAPTA - MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGES!
Challenge 1: $ Money for Members $
Collect 5 new nembers during the month of March or April, and your unit will be eligible to win a $500, $300, or $200 prize!
Challenge 2: TOTEM Convention Challenge
Register 5 new members via TOTEM during the month of March or April, and your unit will be eligible to win one of 5 free Convention registration!
Good luck to all of our amazing units!
GRADUATING SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP - DUE APRIL 16th, 2021!
The scholarship application is attached, and all applications must be postmarked by Friday, April 16, 2021.
Questions? Contact Becca Marks-Anderson at President@23rdDistrict.org
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR PTA AND PTSA UNITS CHARTERED IN MARCH!
- 5 - Home Gardens Academy PTSA
- 6 - Box Springs Bruins Elementary PTA
- 9 - Auburndale Intermediate PTA
- 12 - Lake Mathews Elementary PTA
- 12 - Madison Elementary PTA
- 15 - Thomas Jefferson Elementary School PTA
- 22 - Arlington High School PTSA
- 28 - Woodcrest Elementary PTA
23rd District PTA - Contact Us Any Time!
Mailing Address
c/o TVC PTAPO Box 891116
Temecula, CA 92589
Email: Help@23rdDistrict.org
Website: www.23rdDistrict.org
Phone: (951) 266-6862
Facebook: facebook.com/23rdDistrictPTA
Twitter: @23rdDistrictPTA