"Making a Difference as PTAs Move into 2012"

Maryland PTA’s membership theme is still in full swing as we strive to increase our membership to advocate for all children in school communities

An old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish, beached and dying after a storm...
A young man was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean...
"Why do you bother?" the old man scoffed...."You're not saving enough to make a difference"...
The young man picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back into the water.
"Made a difference to that one," he said.

Hello PTA Leaders and Members,

I would like to take the time to introduce myself, my name is Rita Lowman and I am the new President of Maryland PTA. It is an honor and a privilege to be serving as your president and more importantly, the Maryland PTA Board of Directors and I are looking forward to meeting you, and working with you. Remember, we are here to serve and assist you with any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via phone or e-mail.

As we move forward, Maryland PTA will continue to be part of the solution as we face the many obstacles to health, education and the well-being of our children and youth. We will work together to solve these challenges, whether large or small, with powerful, practical solutions as we continue our legacy. Our voices will be more powerful, persistent and impossible to ignore as we sit at the table with the many stakeholders to ensure an equitable education for all children and youth. With these challenges comes change. These changes are designed to improve strategic focus and effectiveness, which will enable all parts of the association to work together better and enhance service to you our membership. With these changes, Maryland PTA will emerge as a high performing association dedicated to the needs and values of its members, committed to diversity, teamwork and self-evaluation. Together, we will support each other, encourage each other and share our enthusiasm for the important work we do each and every day.

You are our future leaders and Maryland PTA will be here to help you enhance your skills, make new friends and strengthen your advocacy efforts so that together we will “Make Every Child’s Potential a Reality”.

Warmest Regards,

Rita Lowman

President

Maryland PTA is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/53457603877/

Maryland PTA Website: www.mdpta.org

The official Nomination and Board Development Committee respectfully submits the following slate for the 97^th Call to Convention:

President-Elect                          No Candidate Nominated

Nomination and Board Development Committee:

NBDC                                       Mr. Emory Young                   Baltimore County

NBDC                                       No Candidate Nominated

NBDC                                       No Candidate Nominated

In accordance with the Maryland PTA bylaws, Article 10, Section 3, “The committee shall report its nominees to the annual convention, at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor. Nominees from the floor must have given thirty (30) days notification before the beginning of the annual convention of their intent to run.

Notification must be given in writing to the state president and the NBDC chair. No name shall be placed in nomination without the written consent of the nominee. A nominated candidate who wishes to withdraw may do so by informing the chair of the committee in writing. Such withdrawal shall be accepted upon receipt”. Nominees wishing to run from the floor of the State Convention must submit their written consent in the MDPTA Office by June 13^th, 2012.

Mid-Year Membership Campaigns

Many PTAs run only one membership campaign a year in the fall. But those units that run more than one campaign a year have, on average, 20 percent more members. That’s because potential members have more opportunities to say “yes” in becoming a member.

Some facts:
Nationwide, approximately 18 percent of PTA members join in January and February.

Treasurer’s Corner

Personal Property Returns

As an incorporated entity all PTAs are required to file a personal property return. Please have the president check the PTA mail box for a copy of your form.  This form must be completed and filed by April 15, 2012.You can find the instructions on how to fill out the return in the Forms and Instructions Booklet which provides step by step instructions. This form must be completed in order to keep your incorporation current with the State of Maryland. All PTAs must be incorporated in accordance with local bylaws.

Charitable Solicitation Forms

All PTAs must register with the Office of the Secretary of State in order to solicit on behalf of the PTA. The instructions for completing the form can be found in the Forms and Instruction Booklet from Maryland PTA. After registering with the Office of the Secretary of State a PTA must complete an Annual Update each year, and submit the forms by December 31st.  Please check both Cash Encounters and the Forms and Instructions Booklet on how to register.

Maryland PTA Scholarships 2012

The Maryland PTA offers scholarships at a minimum of $500 to high school graduates who plan to pursue a career in education in the public schools of Maryland. We seek your encouragement for qualified students to apply. There are no restrictions placed on the selection of the college or university. Please check with your high school guidance office for a complete application or visit the Maryland PTA website at www.mdpta.org. Deadline for submission of application is March 15, 2012. Sponsoring PTAs must be in good standing for student to qualify.

Maryland PTA
5 Central Avenue •  Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061
800-707-7972  •  410-760-6621  •  410-760-6344 Fax