Northwest Council News
Edition 1, Welcome Back 2023
New and returning PTA leaders, we're so glad you're here!
We appreciate your time and dedication to make a positive difference in the lives of others. This year we are celebrating 35 years of Council supporting Locals in Northwest ISD!
Each issue of the Northwest Council News provides timely information, procedures, updates and reminders to every leader on file once they register with TXPTA.
Our priority is to support our locals to operate optimally, to foster leadership development, and to share the tools and resources available in order to fulfill the mission of PTA.
We know that balancing the first weeks back to school and running our PTAs can be hectic and overwhelming, so let's focus on completing the 10+ items below so we can start moving forward together. Taking your training courses will provide you with a lot of the next steps, and anytime you have questions, Council is here to help! We're better together!
Let's get this year started!
Michelle Smith, President
Northwest ISD Council of PTAs
940-368-5616
Why PTA is Here
Please refer to our Mission, Purposes and Values in all that you set to do for your PTAs. Does each purchase/program/event/fundraiser directly benefit all students at our school? Are we offering three programs at least to every fundraiser? Are we collaborating with our community and making everyone feel welcome? This is how we build positive culture at our schools.
1. Join The PTA(s)
Join the PTA!
Don't delay and join today. Use your local PTA resources or go to www.joinpta.org where you can register up to 6 family members in one transaction.
Sign up grandparents, friends, VIPs, extended family, students and children, too!
Everyone can back the future because anyone can join PTA!
If you'd like to join all the PTAs in a feeder pattern or all of our 33 PTAs, sign up at the Council Link and we can expedite the process (See #12).
2. Complete the Officer and Chair Intake Form
Each local leader should register at https://txpta.secure.force.com/OfficerIntake/. Your info is only used to contact you for PTA related business and opportunities. Use the link as many times as you need for every board you serve on. Oh! And don't forget Principals! They need to register, too!
3. Check your Board's Registrations
We count on you to help start the conversation and forward this bulletin to the incoming board members. Besides being a requirement of TXPTA for every leader to register, we want to connect with our leaders, foster leadership growth, combine our strengths, and move forward together!
Check the "2023-24 EB Roles Registered" tab of the Local Roster to see who has registered.
4. Become a Volunteer!
All Northwest ISD volunteers are required to apply for the current school year volunteer application. You only need to apply once each school year. https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MzUzOmVuLVVT
And, you must take the mandatory online training class (new this year), on simple procedures when working at a school in NISD.
Go ahead now, the 2023-24 application is open. Available in English and Spanish: https://sites.google.com/nisdtx.org/samplevipssite/home?authuser=0
5. Grow Yourself with Training!
Find Quick Start Actions, Duties At-A-Glance, the BASICS Resource Guides, and Training Webinars at:TXPTA.org/local-pta-leaders.
Follow the flowchart for training requirements and to access the courses at: https://www.txpta.org/pta-training within 30 days of election or appointment.
6. Request the newest Bylaws & Standing Rules
Each year after August 1, every local must request the latest version of their Bylaws and Standing Rules.
These will be in the most recent template by Texas PTA that will include any amendments passed by TXPTA at the annual meeting at LAUNCH: https://txpta.secure.force.com/BylawsRequest
7. Programs & Advocacy
Make sure to sign up for the newsletters from TXPTA https://www.txpta.org/newsroom
and National PTA after signing in under communications preferences.
8. Calendars - Mark them now!
Find all the dates for Council Delegate Meetings, Superintendent Roundtables, Special Events and Trainings, Important Due Dates and Monthly Leadership Training presented by Council Leaders called Lead and Learn Roundtables.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eHGV3lE12_d2Ga3NJr0k9yDIJxhxV9FJKxp5QA_t5hs/edit?usp=sharing
9. Finances
- August 30 is the deadline to file the 990. Find a filing guide and a video on how to file a 990-N at txpta.org/treasurer. If you file a 990EZ or 990, check out these IRS approved e-file providers and be sure to prepare a draft of the filing for the financial reconciliation committee. You will then electronically file the 990EZ or 990 immediately following the financial reconciliation.
A financial reconciliation is required at the end of the fiscal year. https://www.txpta.org/financial-reconciliation
10. Programs - Reflections
Kick start our National PTA Reflections/Arts in Education program with this year's theme: I Am Hopeful Because...
Resources located: https://www.txpta.org/reflections
Specific training will be offered at our Training on 9/12 at 9 am.
11. Membership for Locals
August 1 marks the beginning of the PTA membership year!
Click to view the English and Spanish 2023-24 Local PTA Membership Awards
The second award is the Early Bird Award: Reach 100% of the previous year’s total membership. RECEIVED Deadline: September 30 (Not postmarked)
Visit the Local Roster to view last year's membership (Column G) and track this year's membership stats (Column F).
12. Gotta Join Them All
Join every PTA in NISD in one simple transaction or support schools in a specific feeder pattern so that we can have a Voice for Every Child in NISD. northwest-isd-council-of-ptas.square.site
Teaching Kids to Advocate
Every other year, when the Legislature is in Session, TXPTA hosts a Rally Day on the steps of the Capitol in Austin. We attend caucuses, meet with legislators and share our concerns. We are honored to have this giant group of Students with us in 2023.
TXPTA Scholarships
Scholarships for Seniors & Faculty will open 9/15 through txpta.org. Encourage your families and staff to apply!
State PTA Student Advocate of the Year
Congratulations to Jace K. from Steele Accelerated HS for being the first student to earn the Student Advocate of the Year in NISD from Texas PTA!
Voice For Every Child
Congratulations to Lakeview ES for having a member for every child at their school - the only one in NISD this year!
Partnering for the Back To School Fair
Shout out to the Council volunteers (Laurie and Jim not pictured) for helping support the Health and Welfare of our kids at the District's Back To School Fair, sponsored by Partners in Education and Northwest Education Foundation.
Council Membership
Thanks to all our schools working to grow our campus memberships. Our Council was awarded the 8 Year Key Award at our summer State Convention called Launch in Dallas this year. This means we have had overall council membership increases EVERY year for the last eight years, including during a global pandemic! Thank you to those that work so hard to get a voice for every child at their campus(es)!
Training
Our 20 members of Council have been working all summer attending Trainings, creating trainings/programs/resources and helping to support our local leaders. We had over 91 registrees at Launch for our 33 campuses. We spoke to all the Staff at Convocation. We can't wait to share our hearts and help build our schools and communities.