Board and Committee

WHISPERING FOREST PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS


EXECUTIVE BOARD:

CO-PRESIDENTS:
Preside over all school PTA meetings, oversees the functioning of the Board, and serves as liaison with the principal. Represents the school at various events and meetings. Assists with developing a PTA budget. Preside over all monthly PTA meetings. Channel information from the State and National PTA to ensure membership is informed and focused on the PTA mission Assemble an effective PTA team, one that can accomplish things. Presidents may also attend district educational meetings as a representative of the school. Presidents is are ex-officio members of all committees except the nominating committee.The Co Presidents should be at least one who is able to volunteer time in school. This position should delegate most tasks and follow up on timely completion through out processes. Co Presidents should be aware of all events and tasks but not involved in hands on as they must be available to each member for support and information.

VICE PRESIDENTS:
Each maintains a core area of responsibility. In addition, the VPs inform, delegate, and obtain feedback & results from Board Committees and representatives. Vice Presidents preside at meetings and assume President's duties in his/her absence or resignation. This position assumes most in school volunteer time. VP's will fill in to any missing committee chairs as needed.

VICE PRESIDENT-MEMBERSHIP:
Organizes the school's PTA Membership Drive with the goal of attaining a 100% membership rate. It is hoped that all families will join the PTA since the minimal dues support the local, state, and national PTAs. Solicits membership through distributing information and setting up Membership Tables at school functions. Distributes membership cards and maintains membership log. This VP will oversee half the committees and own the outcome.

VICE PRESIDENT:
Responsibilities include organizing student assemblies and working with the principal, teachers, and RHT to select
presenters and projects which will enhance the educational experience for our students.This VP will oversee more complicated committees and work closely with the chair members and will own outcome of those committees. This is a very important job.

SECRETARY: Takes minutes at Board meetings, then types and distributes copies. Assists other officers with duties as needed. Attends and keeps minutes at all meetings. May be asked to assist with composing/typing outgoing mail. Files and keeps copies of all minutes, correspondence, committee reports, newsletters, meeting notices, etc.

TREASURER:
Collects, counts, and deposits PTA monies, writes PTA checks, maintains books, keeps the ledger, and prepares budget for approval by the members. Keeps accurate financial records of all funds received and disbursed. Submits a written monthly budget report at each PTA meeting. Deposits funds received promptly into the PTA bank account. Pays by check
only, all financial obligations of PTA, as authorized by the Board. Preserves all vouchers, receipts, bank statements, canceled checks, etc. to be submitted to the end of year audit committee, or to the Board or general membership, upon request.

BOARD COMMITTEES:

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:
This committee consists of volunteers and one board member who will recruit viable candidates who would be interested in serving the school as a board member for the next school year. This committee is designed to fulfill all board positions and can track names and contacts of interested persons who are unable to comitt to board positions, but would like to volunteer in other capacities throughout the next school year. This committee will determine the success of the following school year by setting the PTA up for success prior to the start of the year.

BEAUTIFICATION/LANDSCAPE:
This committee is responsible for coordinating the creation of new landscaped areas at the school as well as maintainance of grounds and school. There should be organized beautification and maintenance days through out the school year. This is a great way for Dads to become involved.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION:
Organizes a monthly birthday celebration for students celebrating birthdays that month. Summer birthdays are included in the first and last months of school. The chair will purchase cookies which are given to the students after their scheduled lunch period. This is a sibling friendly job.

CULTURAL ARTS:
The Arts are an integral part of education. Dance, theater, voice, playing an instrument, story telling, visual arts creation, writing and photography - all help a child build self-esteem and add joy to his or her learning experience. Each year, this committee helps coordinate the National PTA & Reflections Program, My Louisiana essay contest, and Safety
Poster contest. Volunteers help to: 1) promote the program; 2) coordinate printing of entry materials; 3) recruit individuals to judge student entries; 4) collect entries and prepare for judging; 5) provide recognition of all entrants with a reception, awards and follow-up publicity and; 6) follow up on any and all entries that advance in the competition. The chairperson is responsible for obtaining official competition information from the state PTA, as well as organizing volunteers to help with the above. CHAIRPERSON 08-09: Peggy Lacourrege at 985-641-7147 or Klacourrege@bellsouth.net

EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT/PROGRAMS:
Responsibilities include organizing student assemblies and selecting presenters to enhance the educational experience for
our students.

FRIDAY FUN NIGHTS:
Responsible for planning and executing four, PTA-sponsored fun nights for the students. Can establish other committee chairmen to heorganize advanced ticket sales, decorations, food, music, and other tasks, asneeded.

GRANTS:
Serves as a PTA representative on the school Grant-Writing Committee and will work to research and identify grants for which our school or PTA may be eligible. Additionally, he/she will participate in the submission of the grant applications.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:
HOSPITALITY:

This committee is primarily responsible for staff appreciation. The chairman arranges a breakfast or luncheon for the faculty/staff for Back to School, end of 9 weeks grading periods, and Staff Appreciation. Additionally, this person provides tokens of appreciation for the cafeteria workers, custodians, and bus drivers. Volunteers are needed to help with the planning and organizing of ALL hospitality events. Other committees may ask the hospitality committee to help assist them with drinks and treats for their functions, if needed.

LEGISLATION:
The legislative committee is responsible for keeping the membership informed of legislative issues affecting our children at school. They are to attend monthly PTA Board meetings as well as St. Tammany Parish School Board scheduled meetings.

LIBRARY:
Works with the school librarian to provide volunteers to assist in the library.

NEWSLETTER:
The newsletter committee's primary responsibility is to publish a monthly OR each 9 weeks PTA Newsletter and to coordinate all aspects of newsletter editing/production, sponsorship, and distribution. This is can be a 2 or 3 person committee. One person is the editor. The other person(s) solicits ads and handles the reproduction and distribution of the newsletter. The newsletter must be submitted to the principal for editing prior to production. Edits must then be completed and resubmitted until final draft is approved.

PTA PROJECTS:
Works with the principal to determine areas where PTA can contribute to the school with major purchases. Responsible for researching cost, materials, and installation options for all selected projects. Seeks to gather ideas from parents, faculty, and board members regarding project opportunities. This position may be filled by Co President or Vice President.

PUBLICITY:
The Publicity chair is responsible for providing the local newspapers with articles about school events, maintaining a PTA scrapbook, and providing information to the website coordinator. This involves a year-round commitment with short bursts of activity.

RECYCLING:
Printer and Cell Phone Recycling: This committee collects empty laser and inkjet printer cartridges from our community. Collected cartridges earn points, which are then exchanged for thousands of different classroom technology products or cash. Chair would place collection boxes in local business (they are prepaid to mail with UPS so you do not need to pick them up) and send off the box that is located in the school office. Basically keep track of ordering new collection boxes and promoting the program. Great for working parents or those with small children who want a job on their own terms.

ROOM PARENT COORDINATOR:
Coordinators for each class are needed to be liaisons for parents, teachers, and PTA. This position is for the person who is very organized, likes to plan parties and works well with other parents. This position is responsible for recruiting and coordinating volunteers for the purpose of planning and hosting holiday parties during the school year, helping with Teacher Appreciation week,and donations throughout the year.

TEACHER MINI-GRANTS
The purpose of this program is to provide financial support for teachers seeking to introduce innovative and creative projects in their classroom. The PTA allocates an amount to fund projects up to $500.00 each. The funded
projects will be implemented during the current school year. Interested teachers are required to complete applications detailing the scope of the project, as well as a timetable for implementation, and a budget. The chairperson will prepare applications, oversee distribution, coordinate the committee who will select the recipients, distribute awards, and promote this program to our parents and teachers.

TELEPHONE AND / OR EMAIL COORDINATOR:
Call and remind Board members of upcoming Board meetings or other special events, as needed.

T-SHIRT SALES:
Responsible for working with the firm providing school spiritwear to take orders, stock, and distribute shirts. Chairman or
committee members should staff, New Family Orientation and Open House. The majority of work will be at the beginning of the school year.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR:
Assesses volunteer needs and coordinates the recruitment of volunteers for in-school programs and other special requests.
Communicates job tasks and assignments. Sorts information received from parent volunteer forms and distributes to appropriate committees. The chairperson will track volunteer hours on a monthly basis and report them to the District PTA. Telephone and e-mail skills are useful and people skillsare invaluable.

LABELS FOR EDUCATION:
Responsible for informing the teachers/students of the Labels for Education program, collecting the labels, turning labels and paperwork to appropriate sponsors, and providing incentives for winning classes.

RESTAURANT NIGHTS:
This committee will organize several evenings throughout the school year when we can gather at a restaurant or take out
food, network with other Whispering Forest families, and earn money for our school. Participating restaurants give a percentage of their revenues to the PTA. Chair is responsible for publicizing these nights via the newsletter, website,
and signs at the school and restaurant. Dates for the entire school year are normally set up as soon as school begins.

WEBSITE:
Responsibilities include creating, inputting, and maintaining a PTA website, independent of the school website's link.This chair should be shared by 2 people who can work well as a team with little to no supervison.



IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE 2009-10 WHISPERING FOREST PTA BOARD
PLEASE CONTACT LISA UNDERWOOD (504)615-9518 OR wfepta@yahoo.com