Dear PTA Leaders,

I hope all of you had very safe and Happy Holidays and that you were able to take some time out for yourselves to recharge. It’s hard to believe it’s January already and half the PTA year in gone! Now is the time to finish planning your Founder’s Day activities to honor not only Illinois and National PTAs founders, and your own PTA’s founders as well. Make sure you invite your past presidents and thank them for their contributions to your PTA.

     Your nominating committee needs to be formed within the next month or so, depending on when you will hold elections. Review your Bylaws for the number of people that need to be elected to it and how many of them need to be from your Board and how many need to be from your general membership. Don’t forget to elect the alternates to serve in the case where one of your committee members is unable to fulfill his/her duty. Be sure to notify your membership at least 30 days prior to your elections who the Nominating Committee has slated for each office.

     Have your Bylaws been updated within the last two years? Check inside this issue for the year they were last submitted. If you last submitted them in 2010 or before, then your Bylaws need to be updated. Form a committee to review your Bylaws and submit suggested changes to the Executive Board for approval to submit to your general membership. Always use the most recent set of Bylaws, which can be found on the Local Unit Packet CD your president received in the Fall, or on the Illinois PTA website: http://www.illinoispta.org/information.html. Submit your Bylaws to me for review and approval BEFORE you present them to your membership for adoption. Remember, your membership is the only body that can adopt them. Your Executive Board cannot. Once your membership has adopted the bylaws, the secretary and president should sign them. A copy should then be sent to me. I will sign, return a copy to you and, at that time, update the year your bylaws were done.

     Did you remember to file your taxes by November 15th? Please do so as soon as possible if you did not. If you receive a letter from the IRS, contact me or the State PTA office.

     District 28 will honor the children whose Reflections entries advanced to State judging on February 16, 2012, at Blythe Park School in Riverside. Blythe Park PTA and Blythe Park School have graciously agreed to host the event. Watch for a flyer with more details to arrive shortly. I hope all of you will be able to join us as we celebrate kids and their accomplishments!

     Plan to attend the Illinois PTA Convention March 9-10, 2012. There are always many courses and workshops to attend on a variety of subjects, giving you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn new things. District Caucus will discuss advocacy items, resolutions, and Bylaws changes to be presented to the Convention delegates during General Session. Convention is an appropriate use of PTA money and delegates should present a report to the Board at the first meeting following it.

     Are you in need of PTA courses? E-mail or call me to set them up. Trainers are available both day and evening. We will be happy to come to you at a time most convenient for you.