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Mountain View PTA supports Mountain View Elementary School in Lacey, WA (Thurston County).

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Message from WA State PTA Region 4 Dir








Region Director Message


It’s exciting as we come closer to the end of the school year with the promise of warm, sunny summer days ahead. In PTA this is the season for elections and the time to begin preparing for transition. Hopefully, your elections have gone well or will go well and those people who have been chosen to act as your PTA boards for next year are excited and ready to continue in the work for our children. I have a few thoughts to share regarding these upcoming changes and transitions.

First, let me thank everyone of you for your work in PTA this year. For most units this year has seen a growth in membership numbers, increased involvement from parent volunteers and the implementation of many new and beneficial programs and opportunities in our schools. The really is no sure way to acknowledge the good that you have contributed to our communities through your efforts. I hope that as you, the current board leadership, prepare to turn your local PTA units over to new, incoming leadership that you take the time to be sure that your paperwork is order and that all of your records from membership to treasury are accurate and current. This will save time for the incoming board, allow them to continue from where you left off and in general, start them off on the right foot.

Secondly, take some time to talk with the new board about your goals, ideas and plans. If the new board has a clear vision of what you have been working for, why and what the end goal is, they can be better positioned to continue the work once they assume their posts. Discuss with them the programs and processes that have been successful, as well as those that haven’t been. The more the incoming board understands about your local unit’s history, the better prepared they will be to continue to bring success to it. And remember, success in your PTA means better opportunities to your children, a strengthening of your school and positive consequences for your communities.

Third, please be sure to register your new board members with Washington State PTA. Please be careful to ensure that all of their contact information is correct. Be sure to take care of this at the earliest possible moment. From the region’s perspective, the less time we spend tracking down the members of local unit boards the more time we have to actually serve the members of our region. Also be sure that the incoming board is aware of the leadership conference scheduled for August 8th and 9th at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia. This is where your unit can connect with the region service delivery team and become trained in their jobs. This conference is exciting and motivating and will get your incoming board off to a strong start!

Finally, take some time to reflect on the past year. Recognize the good that has come from your efforts both as a collective whole and as individuals. Your efforts are appreciated by thousands whose voices you do not hear. Know that this time sacrificed by you has made a difference in the world that we all share.

I hope to meet many of you in the coming months as we participate in local, region and state gatherings. Bets of luck to you all and enjoy the sun…while it lasts!

Catherine Christensen
Incoming Region 4 Director

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