PTSA Meeting September 1, 2009 Cougars

Welcome and Introduction Aleta StenderPresident Mary BusbyVice President Ashone ChildressVice President Jennifer EmbreyTreasurer Tena WallaceSecretary Shana WinterTeacher Representative

Calendar of Events September Fall Carnival 3-9 pm October 5-9 Fall Break October 23 or 30Harvest Picnic 3-6 pm November Thanksgiving Break December 15PTSA Mtg/Band Concert

Membership Update More than 200 members at this time. This is up from last year’s membership. This is a “simple fundraiser” for our PTSA, so please join if you have not. Thanks to all those who joined at the Open Houses and the first weeks of school

Spirit Items T-Shirts are available for sale now. Blue and Black shirts are $12 and White shirts are $10 Long Sleeve Shirts and Sweatshirts will be available in Sept/October time frame Cougar Paw magnets and window stickers will be available soon, probably at Fall Carnival Are there Items you would like to see offered as a Spirit Item? Let us know!

Fall Carnival Friday, September 18(3-9 pm) Saturday, September 19 (3-9 pm) Parent Volunteers are needed as Chaperones for this event. Please sign up at the Membership Table tonight. Students will be allowed to stay after school with a note from parents. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP BY 9 PM !!!

Proposed Budget Revenue Carry Over from LY$ 3, Membership$ Fall Carnival$ 3, Spirit Itmes$ Harvest Picnic$ Concessions at Events$ Movie Night$ Special Education$ Star Market Cards$ Pet Photo Contest$ Sparkman Sprint 5k /Fun Run$ 5, Bank Interest$ Miscellaneous/ Donations$ th Grade Dance$ 1, Other Fundraisers$ Subtotal Revenue$ 20, Expenditures School /Teacher Requests$ 5, Teacher Appreciation$ 2, Special Education$ Volunteer Appreciation$ PTO Incorporation Expenses$ 1, PTSA Insurance$ Movie Night$ PTSA Administrative$ 1, th Grade Dance$ 1, Harvest Picnic$ Sparkman Sprint 5k /Fun Run$ 2, Spirit Items$ 2, Fall Carnival$ Concessions at Events$ Miscellaneous$ Subtotal Revenue$ 17, Balance $ 2,854.78

PTA vs. PTO Membership fees would stay at school. Currently, we send 55% of membership dues collected to state and national PTA Set our own bylaws and procedures locally. Officers elected yearly. Finances would still be accounted for and projects and activities for our school would continue as usual.

PTA vs. PTO We would not be part of a politically active organization; this would be strictly a support organization for Sparkman Middle School. No tangible benefits for our organization to continue to be a member of PTA and we are sending away much needed funds.

PTA vs. PTO Costs (approx $1000) will be incurred to incorporate our new organization and acquire the charitable status we need to receive tax free donations. This is a onetime set up cost for the organization. This is also a time consuming process that probably won’t be complete until May The IRS is backlogged and getting the required paperwork through will take time.

Stay Informed Join Listserv to get weekly Cougar Chronicle Newsletter from school as well as School Closing Information in event of inclement weather or other reasons. PTSA at to be added to notifications sent out to members and volunteers.

Adjournment Thank you for attending our first meeting. We will meet again on December 15 to update you on our finances, our PTO status and other events that are in the planning stages. Band Christmas Concert will also be December 15, 2009.