Friday, February 29, 2008

Flunk the Budget!

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA
LEGISLATION ACTION ALERT
February 29, 2008
____________________________________________________

FLUNK THE BUDGET!
Sample Letters and Phone Script
(Please email this to your ALL your PTA unit, council and district members.)

Dear PTA members:

The need for PTA has never been greater. The Governor’s proposed 2008-2009 budget contains disastrous cuts to education and children’s program. For the next several months (or however long it takes), we will be pursuing a statewide effort to make sure every legislator and the Governor hear PTA's message loudly, clearly and often:

FLUNK THE BUDGET!


The proposed budget would make across-the-board cuts to education, health care and other programs that have a direct impact on the safety and well being of California’s children. (Please see the attached fact sheet for details.)

The Governor has recommended a $4.8 billion cut for K-14 education, on top of a $400-plus million reduction for education in the current year.

During the next week, we are asking all PTA members to do TWO things to Flunk the Budget:

1. Call your legislator
2. Write your legislator

Hint: Do both

You can do this at home or as an activity at your PTA Meeting


Suggested PTA Activity:


Bring the information below to your PTA meeting and have all your members make phone calls to their elected officials at the meeting.

Then ask them to follow-up by going home and sending an email.

Make sure you provide your members with the telephone numbers
of their elected officials at the meeting.

Find Your Legislator:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html


SAMPLE TELEPHONE SCRIPT
My name is ___________ and I reside in ______________. As a volunteer member of the California State PTA I ask that ___(Your elected official)___
strongly OPPOSE Governor’s proposed budget.

• The California State PTA opposes any cuts to education and children’s programs in the state budget.

• This budget flunks the basic test of good government: It hurts our children.

• Our children did not create this financial crisis and they should not have to pay for it.

Please do the right thing for California's children. OPPOSE the any cuts education and children’s programs in the budget.

SAMPLE EMAIL OR FAX OR LETTER
(You can find your elected official’s email address by clicking on to their home page from the search page Find Your Legislator above.)

Date
Your Address

My Legislator
State Capital
Sacramento, CA

Dear Senator or Assembly member _________:

As one of the nearly one million volunteer members of the California State PTA,
I ask that you strongly OPPOSE Governor’s proposed budget.

• The California State PTA opposes any cuts to education and children’s programs in the state budget.

• This budget flunks the basic test of good government: It hurts our children.

• Our children did not create this financial crisis and they should not have to pay for it.

Please do the right thing for California's children. OPPOSE the any cuts education and children’s programs in the budget.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Your Phone number

Find Out More About the California State PTA Campaign
to Flunk the Budget
http://www.capta.org/

Here is the Flunk the Budget Fact Sheet: http://www.geocities.com/jennywo/Flunkthebudgetfactsheet.pdf

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

PTA and Taxes

From Tom Jennings, 20th District PTA President

As April 15th looms in the near future, I began to think about filing my personal tax return and the responsibilities that I, as an individual, am required to do. I have to gather up supporting documentation in order to complete and file my tax return correctly and on time. You may be thinking, “What does that have to do with PTA?” Well, it may be a stretch, but documentation is the key word.

Under Internal Revenue Service code, PTA is recognized as a public charity and, as such, is required to keep books and records (documentation) to prove that it is complying with tax rules. Due to recent changes in the tax code, every PTA will now be required to file an informational tax return annually. Your PTA must be able to document the sources of receipts and expenditures reported on your 990, 990-EZ or 990-N (also known as the e-postcard.) Which return your PTA files depends on your gross receipts. As a PTA board member, you have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure the prudent management of the organizations’ funds, this includes filing your PTA’s tax return. As an elected or appointed officer, the PTA bylaws require regular attendance at board and association meetings. It is every officer’s responsibility to review financial statements, i.e. treasurer reports, budgets and audit reports, presented at those meetings. What can you do to help ensure that sound financial practices are being followed? The following documents can assist you and your board in maintaining the documentation necessary to complete an audit and to assist you in completing your PTAs tax return.

Budget – an estimate of gross receipts and expenditures for the fiscal year.

Audit Report – an audit must be conducted twice a year: year-end and mid-year. Audits must be presented to the board and the membership for adoption.

Cash Verification Form - completed and signed by two people not related by blood, marriage, or residing in the same household. This form must be completed each time money is counted.

Payment Authorization Form - completed by the secretary or the financial secretary. Bills and/or receipts should be attached to the form as documentation. After the bill has been approved by the association, it is given to the secretary and president to sign. After signatures are collected on the form the treasurer can then write the check.

Treasurer’s Report - must be presented at every meeting of the board and the association. A beginning and ending balance along with a listing of funds received and disbursements must be included in the report. The ending balance
should match the checkbook register, the ledger, and the bank statement (adjusted for outstanding checks and deposits).

Expense Report - this is for officer reimbursement for expenses incurred completing their duties of office. Expenses must be approved by the association.

Request for Advance – a binding contract. Funds must be returned or receipts provided within two weeks of the advance. The advance must be approved by the association.

Annual Financial Report – basically, a treasurer’s report covering an entire year.

Ledger - treasurer-maintained document that lists income and disbursements. Note when bank account is reconciled and when a treasurer’s report has been made.

Check Book Register - just like your own, list deposits as you deposit funds and write down all checks at the time written. Must keep a running balance. Note when bank account is reconciled in the register and when a treasurer’s report has been made.

Bank Statements - must be reviewed immediately upon receipt by the treasurer and the auditor. Statements must be reconciled upon receipt.

For additional financial information and instruction check out your PTA Toolkit, www.capta.org, or talk to your 20th District Treasurer and attend district workshops when offered, and attend the California State PTA Convention.
PTA offers you the support you need!

Reasons to attend convention, from 4th District neighbors

As I visit PTA’s I sometimes witness a tug-of-war about convention attendance. Some PTA leaders see convention as a worthwhile training and networking experience. Others think that sending a delegate to convention is too costly and without value.

Sending a delegate to California State PTA convention is one of the most important uses of PTA funds. PTA is a grassroots organization that takes direction from unit, council and district PTA members. Where are the voices of the grassroots heard? At PTA convention, of course.

Voting on PTA resolutions is the most important thing you will do at the convention. State PTA leaders must show that they have been given the authority by YOU before they can take positions on advocacy issues. Let your voice be heard! Your unit or council should vote to elect your convention delegates. The number of voting delegates you may send to convention depends upon the number of PTA members you have. (Check the California State PTA Toolkit, Section 2.8.1b.)

Final drafts of this year’s proposed resolutions will be available in mid-March. Your PTA should study the proposed resolutions and vote on a position. At the convention, delegates should attend all general meetings and vote as dictated by their PTA association. Sometimes, this will mean voting contrary to their own feelings about a resolution. Delegates should represent the majority of their PTA members, rather than their own interests.

In addition to voting on resolutions, delegates will attend some amazing training conferences, network with other delegates, share experiences, exchange solutions to problems, and grow to their full PTA leadership potential.

Building PTA leaders is essential to a thriving PTA. Anyway you look at it, attendance at PTA convention is a must and well worth the few hundred dollars that are spent. It is an investment in the future leadership of your PTA. Don’t miss the opportunity! See you in Long Beach May 1-4.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Scholarship Contest





The Campaign for College Opportunity would like to invite your PTA to join us as a partner in promoting our Save Me a Spot in College scholarship contest with your local youth.

The Save Me a Spot in College scholarship contest will award more than $100,000 in scholarships to over 100 students across California ! The contest provides all California 6th – 12th grade students an opportunity to share why college is important to them by answering the question, “Why should California leaders save you and your peers a spot in college?” Students may submit a written word, poster, and/or a 30-second TV ad that answers this question. Help us ensure that youth in your community are informed about this contest by becoming a Partner. All students who participate in the contest will receive recognition for participating and information preparing them for college, along with their chance to win a $500 to $2,500 scholarship.
As a formal partner in this scholarship contest we will be able to formally recognize you for (1) distributing materials to your students, (2) helping your students register and enter the contest, and (3) coordinating a presentation by a Campaign representative at your local PTA meeting or school who can give your students information about the contest and the importance of going to college. There is no fee or long-term commitment of any sort.

Additionally, we are pleased to offer you access to a new resource recently featured in La Opinion newspaper titled, "Road to College: Know How to Go." This 16-page bilingual (English and Spanish) supplement includes important information that we hope will inspire and inform readers to understand the steps necessary to prepare for college and that college is possible!
We are excited that this publication includes information about California 's community college and university system, steps on how to prepare for college and access financial aid, and inspiring profiles of students and professionals. We hope that this material will serve as an excellent resource for students, parents, and future college goers and are happy to provide copies for distribution.

Your PTA Council, District or Chapter can help us by promoting the scholarship contest in your community. To become a partner and find out more information about this scholarship contest, please visit us online at www.collegecampaign.org/contest. Additionally, if you have any questions or would like to schedule a presentation you may contact Stephanie Romero-Crockett at 800-459-9586 or http://us.f522.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=stephanie@collegecampaign.org. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully,
Michele Siqueiros and Stephanie Romero-Crockett
Associate Director Program Associate
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REMINDER: The deadline for scholarship contest entries is March 15, 2008!
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Web-Wise Kids

WEB WISE KIDS, ESA FOUNDATION AND CALIFORNIA STATE PTA
HELP MAKE TECHNOLOGY SAFER FOR CALIFORNIA’S CHILDREN
Organizations Partner to Provide Parents with the Resources to Keep Kids Safe Online

SANTA ANA, CA - February 12, 2008—Web Wise Kids and the ESA Foundation today announced a joint effort with the California State PTA designed to make California’s children safer online. The initiative, funded by a grant from the ESA foundation will provide WIRED WITH WISDOM, a one-of-a-kind Internet safety education program to the parent members of the California State PTA.

“We believe ‘Wisdom Begins With You’ and we know that it is critical that parents play an active role in their kids’ safety while online,” said Judi Westberg Warren, president of Web Wise Kids. “We are grateful to the ESA Foundation to be able to provide this important educational tool to California parents empowering them to keep their children secure.”

Today’s culture bombards families with new parenting challenges in the field of technology. Making even basic decisions about the family’s computer and Internet usage can be quite a hurdle for parents whose kids are often more Internet-savvy than they are. The need to educate parents is critical and WIRED WITH WISDOM helps to do just that.

WIRED WITH WISDOM is an online, interactive safety program designed for busy parents. The program is comprised of five independent learning segments each of which can be completed in less than 20 minutes. WIRED WITH WISDOM addresses a variety of online issues including: social networking, personal Websites, the World Wide Web, chat rooms, instant messaging, email, cell phone dangers, cyber bullying and emerging technology. The program is being made available to parent members of the California PTA online so they can access it anytime and anywhere.

“The California State PTA works to prevent, control, or eliminate hazards to the health, safety and well-being of all children and youth. We are grateful to Web Wise Kids, and their sponsor for this project, the Entertainment Software Association Foundation, for providing California PTA members cost-free access to WIRED WITH WISDOM to help them protect and guide their children in the careful and proper use of the Internet”, said Kathy Moffat, Vice President for Community Concerns for the California State PTA.

WIRED WITH WISDOM has been uniquely designed to provide parents, teachers, law enforcement officers and youth leaders with useful information and solutions related to the problems faced by today’s e-generation. The program is comprehensive without being complex and the format is attractive and easy to navigate so that even the least Internet-savvy adult can enjoy learning.

“The ESA Foundation is proud to partner with Web Wise Kids and the California State PTA to make the Internet safer for youngsters,” said _________ ESA. “The entertainment software industry is committed to keeping kids safe while using today’s technology through educating parents about resources such as WIRED WITH WISDOM and the ESRB Ratings.”


About Web Wise Kids
Web Wise Kids (WWK), established in 2000 is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that receives partial funding from the U.S. Congress through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs. WWK is dedicated to empowering today’s youth to make wise choices online and specializes in providing easy to use, school-approved Internet safety education for youth ages 11 to 16. Today’s e-generation is taught valuable lessons in their own medium using computer games with high tech simulations based on real life criminal cases. For more information about Web Wise Kids please visit www.webwisekids.org.

Contact:
Mary Davis Dan Hewitt
Web Wise Kids ESA Foundation
714.435.2885 ext. 204 202.223.2400
maryd@webwisekids.org dhewitt@theESA.com