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As PTA
members, we create a world for all children when
we stand tall
and speak out for every child; support parents
as they raise
and protect their children; and as we partner with
the
community to shape tomorrow's leaders.
OMDR
Champions!
There is now an OMDR Webinar in the archives! Local unit
officers can access the pre-recorded webinar at any time! To register and receive the link for the
presentation, please visit
http://registration.intercall.com/go/nationalpta,
click on “Event Archives” in the left hand column
and then “view” to register for the archived
webinar. This is a
great training tool for all local unit users!
We will also schedule live webinars
for local unit officers. The webinars for October are listed below. Remember times listed are Central time. We have been
reaching our capacity for webinars, but many of those registered do not attend. Make a commitment to
attend.
Mon.,
October 22 at 11:00 AM • Tues., October 30 at 1:00 PM
National PTA is also experiencing a backlog of files for the Batch
Upload feature.
Please be advised your local units that the files may take a few hours to process.
Once they have submitted a file, please do not submit it again. The file will be processed by the system. You may check the “Review batch upload log for errors” and the “View/Edit” feature to see if your
members are in the system. Local units need to be using the correct file format for the uploads.
Here is a template for
uploading: Excel
Uploading Template. Thank you for your patience as there
are many local unit users using the system!
Also, for local units who were using
the system last year, they should be using the “Member Renewal”
feature and not uploading previous members as new members.
Thank you for all of your help and support with OMDR!
National PTA
Membership/Field Service Liaisons
Partnering
with Your School Principal
Have you spoken with your
principal lately? When you learn what priorities and needs
your principal has for the school and share your priorities
and offer your help, you build the foundation for long-term
success for both your school and your PTA
.
Consider taking the following actions:
-
Ask your principal
to host and speak at a parents' night. Provide a form
for parents to submit questions to the principal. Have
them include their contact information, best times to
contact them, and preferred methods of communication. The
principal can provide the same information to parents.
-
Invite the principal
to take part in developing the PTA's plan of work. The principal can work with your
PTA
to set goals for their collaboration for the year.
-
Make the
principal-parent dialog visible. Invite the principal
to write an article for your PTA
newsletter or listserv. Ask him or her to host coffees or
chats. Have a bilingual parent from your PTA
to translate as necessary.
-
Working with the
principal, network with community establishments. Ask
the principal for a list of priorities regarding services
for the school and its families. Then approach hospitals,
community centers, banks, libraries and other
organizations to get free services or informational
sessions for the school. 11-03-06
A
PTA Code of Ethics
As a PTA
volunteer, I realize that I am subject to a code of ethics
similar to that which binds the professional in the field in
which I work. Like them, I assume certain responsibilities and
expect to account for what I do in terms of what I am expected
to do:
-
I
will keep confidential matters confidential.
-
I
interpret “volunteer” to mean that I have agreed to
work without compensation in money, but having been
accepted as a worker, I expect to do my work according to
standards, as the paid staff expect to do their work.
-
I
promise to take to my work an attitude of open-mindedness;
to be willing to be trained for it; to bring to it
interest and attention.
-
I
realize that I may have assets that my co-workers may not
have and that I shall use these to enrich the project at
which we are working together.
-
I
realize also that I may lack assets that my co-workers
have, but I will not let this make me feel inadequate but
endeavor to assist in developing teamwork.
-
I
plan to find out how I can best serve the activity for
which I have volunteered, and to offer as much as I am
sure I can give, but no more.
-
I
realize that I must live up to my promise and therefore,
will be careful that my agreement is so simple and clear
that it cannot be misunderstood.
-
I
believe that my attitude toward volunteer work should be
professional. I believe that I have an obligation to my
work, to those who direct it, to my colleagues, to those
whom it is done, and to the public.
~Author
Unknown~1993 10/21/06
OMDR
frequently asked questions:
Q:
What is OMDR?
A: OMDR is
National PTA’s Online Membership Data Reporting system.
Q:
Do we have to use it?
A: National PTA
will require local units to use OMDR next school year.
Although not mandatory this year, all local units are
encouraged to use it to become familiar with it and help
identify areas that need improvement, while it is being
tested.
Q:
How do I get started?
A: Log on to www.pta.org/omdr
and click on first time user.
At this point, you will need your local unit PTA ID
number (the number you put on your membership cards) and your
personal PTA ID number (which can be obtained from Colorado
PTA). Follow the
directions to set up your unit and start entering members.
Q:
Do I have to enter all members one at a time?
A: No, it is
possible to upload member information from a spreadsheet, such
as excel or access.
Q:
Once members are entered, can a membership list be
created?
A: Yes, the data
can be downloaded into a spreadsheet to allow units to use as
desired.
Q:
Do I have to pay dues as soon as the members are
entered in OMDR?
A: No, local units
are encouraged to submit dues monthly, but reports are
required by Nov. 1 and Feb. 1 each year.
When using OMDR, units should submit a dues submittal
cover sheet and dues ($5.75 per member) to Colorado PTA.
Q: Can I print my
PTA cards from OMDR?
A: No, there is
currently a technical issue with printing information on the
cards. It is
possible to request a word template that will allow you to
print your cards. Simply
e-mail National PTA
at membership@pta.org
to request the template.
Q:
What benefits do I get from OMDR?
A: OMDR allows you
to print mailing labels; e-mail your membership; renew members
without having to re-enter information; allows access to
member information to your PTA board; allows for timely
sharing of information; helps key people receive information
from Colorado and National PTA (you know, the Red Box!)
Q:
Why OMDR?
A: To comply with
state incorporation law, we must know who our members are.
OMDR is a highly secure program that lets us track
members; communicate better with targeted audiences (such as
treasurers, Reflections chairs, etc.); future plans to allow
payment of dues
Q:
What if I have questions?
A: Contact
Colorado PTA
at 1-888-225-8234
or office@copta.org or
Karen Hobson at 719-683-4540
or sandragriffith@copta.org
The Importance of Filing IRS Form 990
Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, is an
annual information return that most state PTAs and many units
should be prepared to file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) within the next month. Here are a few guidelines regarding
Form 990 that PTAs should keep in mind:
-
PTAs with annual
receipts of more than $100,000 or total assets of more
than $250,000 must file Form 990.
-
PTAs with annual
receipts of less than $100,000 but at least $25,000 and
total assets of less than $250,000 are required to file
Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
-
The IRS
deadline for filing Form 990 or 990-EZ is the 15th day of
the fifth month after the end of the organization’s
fiscal year. (For example, a PTA
with a fiscal year ending June 30 must file by November
15.)
-
The state
PTA’s Form 990, along with the state PTA’s audited financials, must be filed with the national
PTA
office within 30 days of filing with the IRS
, in accordance with the Policy for Continuing Affiliation
with National PTA.
More information about filing Forms 990
and 990-EZ is available on the IRS
website. 10/20/06
Have You Asked Anyone to Join PTA
Today?
Attracting new members and retaining
current ones are among the most important duties of a PTA. A
thriving membership doesn’t just happen; it requires good
planning and year-round attention. Now that school is back in
session, PTAs everywhere are celebrating September as PTA
Membership Month by recruiting members at school events and in
the community.
PTAs should be
encourage continued membership recruitment efforts throughout
the year. Every PTA event is an opportunity to recruit new
members, and every volunteer is a potential PTA member or
supporter! Successful membership drives are essential for
bringing new volunteers and excitement to our local members,
but membership efforts need to continue past September.
Remember, the number one reason that people don’t join is
that they were never asked.
Don’t forget to take advantage
of PTA’s human resources either. Field service
representatives, extension liaisons, and minority outreach
specialists are available to assist in reaching your
membership goals.
You and PTA Make the Difference: Here's Proof
Out of the schools in listed in the annual Newsweek list of the 100 Best High Schools in America, nearly half of them have PTAs or PTSAs! In addition, there are PTAs at the number 1 ranked school (Talented and Gifted Magnet in Dallas, Texas), and PTA schools make up about half of the top 20 schools. Considering that less than 25% of all schools in the United States (and many, many fewer high schools) have a PTA, these are great statistics!
This very recent and extremely relevant correlation of top schools with PTAs is compelling information for you as a leader. You can use this information as you talk with principals, school boards, decision makers, and fellow parents about the importance of family involvement, particularly at the high school level. You can also open your Building Successful Partnerships presentations with these points.
Spread the word to your current PTA members that they are making a difference! Share the message that every child can benefit from the presence of a PTA at their school. PTA is the best way to strengthen the school, and keep families and community leaders connected in support of education. Keep up the great work of PTA.
The "T" in PTA stands for teachers
Sometimes we forget that the "T" in PTA stands for teachers.
Teachers and school staff members are crucial partners in
our children's success. Encouraging them to join your PTA
should be a focus of your membership campaign.
Here are some ideas for getting them involved:
-
Arrange to provide a breakfast for teachers prior to the start of the school year. Use this breakfast as an opportunity to talk to the teachers about the value and importance of joining your PTA.
-
Award teachers and staff with a party or lunch when 100% teacher and staff membership is reached.
-
Request a bulletin board or showcase at your school to display current information about PTA activities.
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Use back to school nights as an opportunity to speak with both teachers and parents about the importance of joining PTA. Prepare a short presentation. Be sure to have the permission of your principal.
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Include PTA materials in information packets given to teachers and staff at the start of each school year.
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Enlist the support of your principal. A principal's encouragement to join can go a long way.
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Print out personal invitations asking teachers and staff to join and include a membership envelope. Remind them that for the cost of a few coffees at Starbucks they can support our national organization of more than six million members!
Some other ideas:
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Parent Involvement is what PTA does best and it's the law. Remind teachers and staff that PTA helps them to fulfill the Parent Involvement mandate of No Child Left Behind.
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Get to know your teachers. Sometimes teachers or staff may be reluctant to join because of a prior bad experience with PTA. Apologize for whatever may have happened and talk to them about how PTA's work benefits not only the children but the teachers as well.
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The teachers and staff expect to be asked to join. If they expect it and you don't ask, they might feel they are not needed or welcomed. Remember to ask.
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Remind teachers and staff that PTA is more than a local fundraising group for their school. It is an organization focused on the education, safety, and well-being of children.
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