2008-09 School Year
Dear Ashland Parents,
We invite you to consider four leadership opportunities on the Ashland K-12 Parent Teacher Organization Executive Board. The PTO, like other non-profit organizations during recessionary times, needs your help and support. With school budget cuts year after year, our organization is more critical than ever to help fill gaps and provide monetary support for the entire school district. In addition to the curriculum and technology support the PTO provides, we also raise and spend $30,000 annually to bring multiple enrichment programs to each of our schools.
The first position to consider is President. This is a great opportunity be become more involved with the schools and help make a difference for every school-aged child in Ashland. Past presidents Cyndi Raabe and Peg Grimes actively remain on the Board of Directors, along with several other seasoned members, to support the PTO and to transition in a new President. The time commitment is what you can afford and is honestly not overwhelming. Many past Presidents worked full-time while managing the PTO presidency. The board meets monthly. If you’re the kind of person who likes to work hands-on, can direct others, and wants to make a real difference for the children in Ashland, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
We are also aiming to fill parent liaison positions for the Pittaway and High Schools. These positions hold the title of Vice President, or Co-Vice Presidents as they are often shared between two volunteers on a given campus. These roles are more specific to the events at each school. If you are the parent of a child in one of these buildings, you can make a real difference in the educational experience of the students and their faculty/staff.
Finally, it has been several years since the K-12 PTO has held a silent auction or any other major spring fundraiser. If you would prefer to run a specific project or event, we would be very interested in hearing your ideas. We need an additional major fundraising event this year to continue giving back next year at the same (or higher!) levels we’ve done of late.
Please, check out our website at www.ashlandpto.com and/or contact one of us to learn more about these opportunities. We appreciate your consideration and hope to hear from you soon!
Very truly yours,
Cyndi Raabe, PTO President 2006-2008, 508-881-2901, fourcees@comcast.net
Peg Grimes, PTO President 2004-2006, 508-881-2877, peg.grimes@yahoo.com
Heather Keaveny, Secretary, 508-879-5909, hkeaveny@verizon.net
Written on behalf of the entire Ashland K-12 PTO Board of Directors
Please read more about vacancies in the PTO Board and related Committees for the current school year. Contact PTO Secretary Heather Keaveny or any other board member to express your interest or ask for additional information.
President
Oversees/directs all PTO activities; accountability for all areas of operation. This includes:
- Set yearly organizational mission
- Set monthly Board Meeting agenda; lead meeting
- Lead discussions and subsequent voting on fundraisers and events for the year
- Ascertain that planning for upcoming events or fundraisers is going smoothly
- Review flyers for appropriateness and timeliness, make sure all outside communication has been prepared and delivered, and signage is completed
- Review monthly P&L’s
- Review membership reports and lead relative discussions
- Review school enrichment activity
- Review monthly minutes
- Prepare “Letters from the President” to report news to membership and community
- Prepare various notices and correspondence to be sent to membership body
- Direct webmaster for inclusion or removal of information on PTO website
- Liaison with Superintendent of Schools and School Committee
- Lead/assign special projects. Troubleshoot and resolve issues.
- Public presence for PTO; deliver short presentations at functions, open houses, or town/School Committee meetings. Voice of the PTO for newspaper reporters.
Overview
The President oversees and directs all members of the Board, and all PTO missions and activities. The President leads discussions surrounding all PTO business, from setting the tone of the PTO mission and goals for the year, to recapping results of events and fundraisers and deciding if we will hold them the following year. The President sets the monthly meeting agenda and leads the meeting. The role is primarily that of a leader, motivator and organizer; most decisions are made by a majority vote of the Board members. The President is also the face of the PTO in public domains, and will usually be required to make a short presentation at certain functions. The role requires frequent access to email, and availability by phone, as well as the ability to see the big picture and how each decision will impact the organization as a whole.
Co-Vice President - High School
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