Here we are in the end of November and so much has transpired since our last newsletter. Elections, Thanksgiving, and Virtual learning...oh my! Through it all our units continue to do their best in keeping students, families, and staff engaged as you will see in our unit spotlight. We are thankful for having such incredible units that are thinking outside the box to make this year the best it can be for their schools. This year has really taught the PTA more than we ever could have imagined and it has also shown us that our presence is more important than ever during these difficult times. Parents, students, and staff are doing their best to navigate the ever changing waters and we need to be there 100% to support them. So keep being creative and giving it your best! It's all we can do to show that we WILL get through this together!

Stay healthy,

Andrea Malenfant

Council Newsletter Chair

This month's shout out goes to Emerson PTSA, Frost PTSA, Kennedy PTA, Johnson PTA, Grant PTA, and Webster PTA for entering MI PTA's Early Bird Membership contest. These units had 50% of their membership from the 2019-2020 school year by October 30th! Even though they didn't win, we are still very proud and thankful for how hard they are working on their membership! Great job and keep up the good work!

Greetings from Livonia PTSA Council's Membership Chair!

I would like to start by saying Congratulations to 6 of our units. MI PTA had an Early Bird Membership Challenge that ended on October 31st. Congratulations to Emerson, Frost, Kennedy, Johnson, Grant, and Webster for entering into the Challenge! You may not have won the $250, but you succeeded in being able to have at least half of last year's membership on time! Way to go!!! Keep those numbers climbing!

Michigan PTA is offering another Membership Contest so you have another opportunity to participate! See the details in this newsletter.

We all know that this year has its challenges when it comes to membership. One challenge is how to increase your membership numbers. There are so many ways you can do this. Have a contest or membership drive of some sort. Give away a prize or incentive. Offer the classroom with the most members a prize, gift, or incentive. However you choose to do this, make sure it's within your budget, with an appropriate line item if any expenses occur, and that your PTA means to do so. Remember, if you reach your membership total from last year, that's 500 PEP points! Every additional member above that number is another 50 points per member!

Sara Bennett

Livonia PTSA Council Membership Chair

As I'm sure you have all assumed, our normal Livonia PTSA Council Founders Day celebration will not be able to take place in February 2021. For those that are new to PTA, normally we would ask units to nominate a parent and a staff member (and a student for MS and HS) who exemplify PTA values through their actions and participation in your PTA/school. This is someone who joins the PTA and works with the board to help fulfill the mission of PTA at your school. We would then gather to celebrate these nominees, PTA officers, school administrators, and members of the community at a dinner at Schoolcraft College. There is always a slideshow running to show all the great events the PTAs have hosted over the year, a centerpiece contest spotlighting the Reflections theme, and the program which shows all the nominees This is a always a fun night where people can meet members of other PTA's, celebrate all the greatness that PTA brings to the schools in Livonia and of course have a great meal AND desserts!!

As this year will be Livonia's 67th Founders Day we still want to celebrate but realize it will look different. We would like your suggestions and ideas about how to celebrate and still honor all the hard work that PTA has done over the last year. If you have ever said "I wish they would do this at Founders Day" now is your time to tell us.

Please send us your suggestions via the google form below. Any member of your executive board can offer ideas. Share your ideas by Friday, December 4th.

Thank You for your continued support of PTA and its goals and mission.

Kellie Dummer - Council 2nd VP & Founder's Day Chair

https://forms.gle/ahxchxnpNkKRg52D9

HOW MANY UNITS CAN WE GET TO ENTER THE LATEST MI PTA CHALLENGE?

Hello, Michigan PTA Membership Chairpersons and Vice Presidents!

DOES YOUR MICHIGAN PTA/PTSA UNIT WANT THE CHANCE TO WIN $250?

The MICHIGAN PTA STRIDER MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE is HERE!

CRITERIA: Your Local Unit must have 75% of its total membership from July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020, for entry.

The FIRM DEADLINE for this opportunity is MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021.

Complete the link below for your chance to win the $250 Grand Prize!

Michigan PTA STRIDER Membership Challenge

Questions?

Contact, Brian L. Johnson, Michigan PTA Vice President for Membership

membershipvp@michiganpta.org

We all know the importance of keeping families and students engaged during this time. During the month of November, we encouraged students to decorate a turkey disguised as something else. We sent home and emailed a turkey template to all students and set up a padlet account for families to upload the photos. Rather than judge each turkey, we encouraged participation by having all entries be entered into a drawing for a prize. Students from Kindergarten through 4th grade participated. Winners were chosen randomly and received a turkey medal and small prize! We even had 2 teachers who uploaded pictures for each student in their classrooms for the contest! This was an easy and creative way to involve our students and let families know that PTA is here for them.

Link to our padlet https://padlet.com/ptajohnfkennedy/mpewxe90x434htqf

More information here.

Turkey template for printing is here.

-Kennedy Elementary PTA

Are you wondering how you can boost your PEP totals? Wonder no more! Are you in compliance and up to date with your Standards of Affiliation requirements? If so, then you'll have at least 1400 points right now. Want to add more points to that? Easy! Have you recently updated your bylaws? Does your unit have your Policies and Procedures in place? Are you inviting your liaison to your meetings every month? Have you submitted an article for this amazing newsletter each month? These, and many more, are ways to boost your PEP score by 100 points each every month! Simply email PEP at PEP@livoniaptsacouncil.org and you'll get credit! Want to gain even more points? Achieve last year's Membership totals and that's another 500 points! Every member above that is 50 more points per member! Keep those emails coming in. Keep those numbers climbing! Let's see who can reach the highest score by the end of the year.

Happy PEP Points collecting!

Sara Bennett and Melissa Kachaturoff

Livonia PTSA Council PEP Co-Chairs

PEP. . . what does it stand for? "PTA/PTSA Excellence Program"! And it's currently underway! Remember, in order to receive PEP points, you must send the required documentation to the PEP email: pep@livoniaptsacouncil.org

For example, if you are inviting your liaison via email to your PTA meetings, make sure you Cc the PEP address!

What's Due:

1.) Monthly membership dues to MI PTA were due on November 28th as well. How do you remit? The easiest way is to use MemberHub. Use the Admin Console>PTA>State Payment and send it digitally right now! Or by check sent to MI PTA.

2.) SOA Requirements: These are ALL due to MI PTA by December 1st in order to receive your letter of good standing.

• Submit copy of updated Bylaws (Upload to Memberhub & copy to LPTSA Council) (100 points)
• Submit copy of Audit (Upload to Memberhub & copy to LPTSA Council) (100 points)
• Submit copy of current school year budget (Upload to Memberhub & copy to LPTSA Council) (100 points)
• Submit proof of insurance (mailed or emailed to MI PTA & copy to LPTSA Council) (100 points)

3.) Submit Reflections entries before December 1st to Council Reflections Chair. (50 points per every 10 entries)

National PTA is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Advocacy Awards! PTA.org/AdvocacyAwards The Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Advocacy Award will be presented to one local, district, council or regional PTA that through their dedication, leadership and efforts positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy aligned with National PTA’s DEI Priorities. The Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award is presented to an individual PTA member who, through their leadership and advocacy efforts, affected federal policy priorities within PTA’s annual Public Policy Agenda. Other awards include Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award, Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award, Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award and PTA Congressional Voice for Children Award.

Please note that these dates and times could be subject to change due to COVID - 19 regulations. We will inform all units of any updates or changes as soon as possible.

2021

TBD - Memberhub Training | TBD | TBD

TBD - Council Meet and Greet | TBD | TBD

TBD - Council Workshop | TBD | TBD

1/20 - LPTSA Council EB Meeting | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | BOE

TBD - Council Workshop

*Canceled - Chili Cook Off

1/21 - Reflections Celebration | TBD | TBD

2/10 - Founder's Day

3/17 - LPTSA Council EB Meeting | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | BOE

TBD - Council Workshop

4/21 - LPTSA Council EB Meeting | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | BOE

4/21 - LPTSA Council Gen. Membership Meeting (Elections) | 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Unit members attend virtually

TBD - YMAD Celebration

5/19 - Officer Training | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | TBD

6/16 - LPTSA Council EB Meeting | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | TBD

TBD - Audit Party | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | TBD

8/7 - 8/8 - Michigan PTA 103rd Annual Convention | Henry Ford College

http://pta.org/home/family-resources/coronavirus-information

http://commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

http://cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

http://pbs.org/parents/coronavirus-resources-for-parents