Join the Northshore Council Executive Team and make a difference in your community! Now is your chance to take your involvement to the next level and become a leader in the Northshore Council PTSA. Northshore Council PTSA is made up of volunteers from our Local PTAs and community that have chosen to use their skills to assist our community. The Nominating Committee is seeking interested candidates for Northshore Council PTSA's 2024-2025 Executive team. Positions include:
Learn more about the job description for each position as well as qualification requirements below. Nominate Yourself or Someone passionate about education, dedicated to our community today!
Nominations are due by January 31, 2024. Questions? Contact Council's Nominating Committee at [email protected] Qualification Requirements Per the 2023-2024 Council Standing Rules: All Candidates:
Brief Job Descriptions of Council Positions For a more detailed job description, click here. President: The President has many important jobs including serving as the official contact, communicator and representative of Council. They oversee and coordinate the work of the executive board, preside over meetings, are ex-officio members of all committees (except Nominating Committee) and are designated as an authorized signer for checks, contracts and authorizations for payment. But, most importantly, they work to connect PTAs which in turn helps them support families, schools and the community to work towards overall student success. 1st VP: Must be familiar with the Council president’s duties and responsibilities. Act as an aide to the president and perform the duties of the president in his or her absence. Is in charge of advertising and organizing the Council Grant Program and yearly Awards. Treasurer: Is the authorized custodian of the funds of the association and receives and disburses all monies in accordance with the budget as approved by the membership. Secretary: Keeps an accurate record of meetings, which become part of the permanent history of the PTA. Also responsible for taking attendance and monitoring quorum at meetings. VP of Events: Plans and coordinates Councils yearly events including Presidents and Principals Brunch, Reflections Celebration and Spring Recognition Event. VP of Communications: Works to facilitate Northshore Council PTSA communications in order to inform, engage, educate and inspire local PTAs and beyond. VP of Advocacy: Help to educate local PTA's and disseminate information about current WSPTA and National PTA legislative priorities. VP of Elementary Support: Act as a conduit of information for local elementary PTAs. Helps to answer questions local PTA's may have and works to recognize and celebrate local PTA's. VP of Secondary Support: Act as a conduit of information for local secondary (high school and middle school) PTAs. Helps to answer questions local PTA's may have and works to recognize and celebrate local PTA's. Questions? Contact Council's Nominating Committee at [email protected]
![]() The Nominating Committee is a special committee that holds the key to a successful PTSA. It is responsible for presenting the best-qualified candidates to serve as the elected officers who will lead your PTA next school year. What is a Nominating Committee?
The nominating committee is a group of three (3) PTA members who are elected for the purpose of finding enthusiastic and qualified volunteers to serve on the PTA’s executive committee! The Nominating Committee members must be elected at a general membership meeting at least 30 days before the officer elections. Members of the committee cannot be appointed by the PTA President or the Board of Directors. The PTA president nor the principal may serve on the committee or participate in the committee deliberations. Why Do We Need a Nominating Committee? Depending on the length of term for your executive committee that is laid out in your Standing Rules (your PTA can choose to have officers serve for a 1-year or 2-year term), there is the possibility that executive committee roles on local PTAs will be elected each year. Having a nominating committee is the best way to make sure that each volunteer is qualified, excited, and ready to serve. The goal of the committee is to seek the most qualified candidates for each elected position for the next school year (beginning July 1). It is a vital committee because it has the power to shape the nature of your PTA and to set you up for future success. Remember! Electing a nominating committee is also a part of your Standards of Affiliation Agreement with WSPTA and is a key marker in remaining in good standing during the fiscal year! ![]() Who Should Be On The Nominating Committee? Nominating committee members should:
When Should We Elect Our Nominating Committee? Elect the committee early in the school year so they have time to locate the best candidates! State guidance suggests that the Nominating Committee be elected at the first meeting of the school year. If you have not done that yet, make it a goal to elect the committee at your next General Membership meeting. The nominating committee is discharged from service after the executive officers are declared elected.
During the School Year - While serving on the nominating committee, members:
At the Meeting Where Election of Officers Will Take Place: The chair (or another member) of the nominating committee reports the committees’ recommendations to the membership during a membership meeting. A script can be found in the Washington State PTA Nominating Committee Handbook (found under Board Resources/Nominating, Elections and Voting). Who Can Be Nominated for an Elected Position: The candidate should be the person the committee thinks will best fill the role! Additionally, the candidate must:
Additional Things to Consider: * Candidates who wish to have co-officer positions can be considered together if both candidates agree to prior to the election. * Individuals should not be nominated by the committee just because someone is interested in or has volunteered for a position. The nominating committee should only nominate candidates whom they believe would be qualified candidates as described above. * Current officers should be evaluated just as you would any candidate. If the committee finds a more qualified candidate, the committee should nominate the more qualified person. People are not guaranteed a nomination the second year. What Is A Nominating Committee Report?
Can a Member of the Nominating Committee Run for a Position? Yes! But the member should recuse themselves from all discussion about their nominations and discussion of other potential nominees for that same position. What If You Cannot Find a Candidate for a Position? The committee can leave the position vacant by writing "Open" on the report. Someone may self-nominate during the election or during the self-nomination period. Additionally, your PTA may appoint a person to fill in until a long-term candidate can be elected. Here are a couple of ideas to broaden your reach when searching for candidates:
What if you STILL can’t find a candidate for a position?
More Questions? Contact...... VP of Secondary Support: [email protected] VP of Elementary Support: [email protected] *updated article in 01/2025* Northshore Council PTSA Mission Statement Northshore Council PTSA is a welcoming organization that works to support our Local PTAs and serve the children and youth of our community through advocacy, education, mentoring, collaboration, and leadership. Northshore School District Director Candidates Information |
District No. 2 | District No. 3 |
Board members represent the district at large although they must reside in specific geographical areas of the district. Voters within the Northshore School District boundaries are able to vote for all school board director positions.
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- Northshore Council PTSA School Board Candidate Forum
- League of Women Voters Snohomish County
- NSD Community Conversations Facebook Group
- 2023 Northshore School Board Candidate (questionnaire)
(Questions were submitted by the members of the closed Facebook group.)
- 2023 Northshore School Board Candidate (questionnaire)
Dates & Deadlines |
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October 18 King County: Ballots Mailed for General Election |
October 19 Snohomish County: Ballots Mailed for General Election |
October 20 Start of 18-day voting period (through Election Day). Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers. |
October 30 Online and mail registrations must be received 8 days before Election Day. |
November 7 Deadline for Washington State voter registration or updates (in person only). |
November 7 General Election |
How Do I Register to Vote? Check your registration info at VoteWA.gov.
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If you are 16 or 17, become a Future Voter!
Sign up online at VoteWA.gov with your Washington state driver’s license, permit, or ID. Or you can fill out a paper registration form using the last four digits of your Social Security number and mail it in. You’ll be automatically registered to vote when you qualify. If you will be 18 by the November Election, you can vote in the Primary Election.
- Visit our Advocacy Page to learn more about Northshore Council PTSA's advocacy efforts including:
- WSPTA's Legislative Platform
- 2022-2024 Top 5 Priorities
- Ways to Get Involved
Please contact Council Co-VPs of Advocacy, Terra Droney & Holly Muenchow, at [email protected]
Since the position of Secretary was not contested, the election will be by voice vote at the next General Meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023, at 7 PM.
Questions? Email Council President Rachel Fitzgerald.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 | 6pm to 7pm
Northshore Administration Center
3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, WA 98021
Inform Your Vote!
The structured forum will be moderated by Northshore Council PTSA. Each candidate will be asked the same questions. Potential questions for candidates can be pre-submitted at https://forms.gle/ARFDPvGiuBBpnhew6. Please submit your questions by Monday, September 25, 2023.
The forum is free and community attendance is encouraged. However, distribution of campaign materials, including the carrying of signs, by candidates, volunteers or members of the public is prohibited.
(Links for each candidate below is from King County Elections website)
District No. 3 | District No. 2 |
Please contact Council Co-VPs of Advocacy, Terra Droney & Holly Muenchow, at [email protected].
Disclaimer: Northshore Council PTSA does not support or oppose any candidate (appointed or elected) for public office. This event is to assist the community in making an informed judgment in the election of its school board.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 - General Election
Register to Vote: Voter information and registration can be found at http://vote.wa.gov/.
Update your registration if:
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Snohomish County Election Information: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/224/Elections-Voter-Registration
WA Secretary of State: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections
Northshore Council PTSA is a welcoming organization that works to support our Local PTAs and serve the children and youth of our community through advocacy, education, mentoring, collaboration, and leadership.
Notice: Self Nominations for Secretary Open
Consider joining
Council's 2023-2024 Executive Board!
Self Nominate by Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Election for Secretary will be held at the
General Membership Meeting on Monday, September 18.
Secretary: Keeps an accurate record of meetings, which become part of the permanent history of the PTA. Also responsible for taking attendance and monitoring quorum at meetings. Learn more about the secretary role. Full job description here.
Complete Self Nomination Form by midnight on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Election will be held at our General Membership Meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023.
Qualification Requirements
Per the 2022-2023 Council Standing Rules:
- All Candidates:
- Any position may be held jointly by two (2) people, except the role of Treasurer.
- Nominees must be at least 18 years of age.
- Nominees must be a current member of at least one local PTA within the Northshore Council PTSA membership area.
If there is a contested position at the close of the self-nomination period on September 7, 2023, we will send out an electronic voting method to Northshore PTA/PTSA presidents and vice-presidents. If no position is contested, we will hold the election by voice vote during our next General Meeting, on Monday, September 18, 2023.
Northshore Council PTSA General Meeting
Monday, September 18, 2023 6:30 PM Meet & Greet 7 PM Meeting Begins Register for Zoom Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtduqorjgrGdVXE-PHC18F7bvkuHv8VUuK The Zoom link you receive will be unique to your registration. Please have each person attending register for a Zoom link. Thank you. |
Please join us for the first General Membership Meeting for the 2023 - 2024 school year!
Meeting Agenda: In addition to our regular business, we will hold an election for 2023-2024 position of Secretary. Self Nominations are open now and close on Sept. 07, 2003. More information on how to self-nominate is posted here on our website. There will be two PTA Educational Sessions to learn more about AIM and memberplanet. Second Notice of Election: update 9/11/23 As there is only one candidate for the position of Secretary, the election will be conducted via voice vote. Click to read the Second Notice of Election. |
Questions? Email Council President, Rachel Fitzgerald at [email protected].
Save the Date - View calendar of future meeting dates.
School Board Candidates Meet & Greet.
Voter registration information available.
Register to vote or update your registration information today!
School Board Candidates
Links for candidates websites were obtained from King County Elections on 6.29.23
Director District No. 2 Candidate
☐ Elisabeth Sotak Candidate is unopposed and will not appear on Primary Ballot in August, but will appear on the November ballot. |
Board members represent the district at large although they must reside in specific geographical areas of the district. Voters within the Northshore School District boundaries are able to vote for all school board director positions.
- You are new to Washington State
- You have recently moved
- You have a new mailing address
- You changed your name
Important Dates: |
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July 11 - King County July 12 - Snohomish County |
Voters' Pamphlet mailed |
July 12 - King County July 13 - Snohomish County |
Local ballots mailed. |
July 24 |
Last day for voters to register or update voter information online. |
August 1 Election Day |
Last day for voters to register or update voter information in person. Last day for voters to return voted ballot by mail postmarked by today or dropped in ballot drop box by 8 p.m. The August 1 Primary features local races and will narrow the field of candidates to the top two who will go on to the General Election on November 7. It also features local ballot measures. |
August 1, 2023 - Primary
November 7, 2023 - General Election
February 13, 2024 - Special Election
Snohomish County Election Information: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/224/Elections-Voter-Registration
WA Secretary of State: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections
We welcomed NSD’s Director of Food Services Juliana Fisher as our guest speaker. Ms. Fisher shared with us that about 2500 NSD students qualify for Free and Reduced rate breakfasts and lunches, but unfortunately only a fraction of them are currently enrolled in the program. As a result, Food Services is partnering with schools to make sure that all families are aware of the benefits and services to their students, and to encourage them to sign up if they qualify for the program. Ms. Fisher also shared with us that Food Services has faced some recent challenges due to the COVID pandemic and the impact that it had on providing meals at all schools. The main challenges have been a decrease in staffing, as well as supply chain issues. These issues have impacted the capacity for menu varieties, scratch cooking, cultural access, increasing vegetarian/vegan options, and cultural/linguistic/emotional access. Recently, Food Services created and implemented a picture food menu for our schools, which has been a hit with some of our students! Thank you, Ms. Fisher, for joining us and sharing with us how NSD Food Services continues to feed our students in our schools!
Council Business:
Council Treasurer Serena Xu presented the February Financial Report for review and approval, as well as the proposed Council budget for the 2023-2024 school year. Many thanks to the Council Budget committee (Mary Khouzam, Rachel Fitzgerald, Serena Xu, Brenae Brix, and Melissa Kline) for all of your hard work in helping create and proposing the new Council budget! Serena also shared with us that the Standard of Affiliation (SOA) is complete, and all elected Council officers have completed all of their required training, including PTA and the Law. Speaking of the SOA, Council Board member Diana Christiansen shared that 6 NSD schools participated in our SOA Raffle Drawing. The participating schools were Lockwood Elementary, Innovation Lab High School, Woodin Elementary, Frank Love Elementary, Cottage Lake Elementary, and Canyon Creek Elementary. The winner of the SOA Raffle Drawing is Lockwood Elementary! Congratulations, Lockwood!
Council Nominating Committee member Cherry Holmes presented nominees for Council Executive Officers, and a vote was taken to approve the nominations. Our new Council Executive Board for the 2023-2024 school year are as follows:
President - Rachel Fitzgerald
Vice President - Grace Jurado
Treasurer - Brenae Brix
Co-VP of Advocacy - Holly Muenchow
Co-VP of Advocacy - Terra Droney
VP of Communications - Jennifer Snyder
VP of Elementary Support - Diana Christiansen
VP of Secondary Support - Jennifer Drury
Congratulations, new Executive Board members!
We currently have two Executive Board positions that we need to fill. Those positions are Secretary and VP of Events. If you like keeping accurate records and creating meeting minutes and newsletters, or if you love throwing parties or events, please consider throwing your name in the hat for one of these roles. Council will continue to seek volunteers for the OPEN positions of Secretary and VP of Events with the goal of holding an election at our General Membership Meeting on May 15, 2023.
Advocacy Chair Jen Drury gave thanks to all of those involved in advocating for the best superintendent candidates, and thanks, also, to all of those who spent time during this last Washington State Legislative Session advocating for the Special Education bill, which passed in the Senate. Thank you, advocates! Half a dozen of advocates, including parents, spent much time in Zoom meetings with our legislators, and 2 dozen NSD parents, students, Superintendent Tolley, NSD school staff, and school board members traveled to Olympia on February 20th to meet with our state legislators and shared their voices in advocating for things that impact our students and our schools. Thank you for all of your advocacy!
On behalf of the Grant Committee Chair (Grace Jurado, who as unable to join us), Mary Khouzam shared that another round for grant application submissions was open until March 24th, and the Council Awards Nominations form will be available soon.
Reflections Chair Jasmine Fry shared that online showcasing is now available on Council’s website, and several NSD students did well! Carissa P. from Leota Middle School is advancing to National Reflections for Videography. Congratulations, Carissa!
After several other committee updates, including info for an upcoming Mental Health Fair on May 23rd at Skyview Middle School, and a reminder that the Washington State PTA Convention will be held in May at the Bellevue Hilton, Co-Chair President, Mary Khouzam, brought our meeting to a close by reminding us that planning for Council’s Spring Recognition Even is underway, and details will be shared shortly. To help determine the time of day that works best for attendance, Mary shared a link to a poll asking us if a morning event time or an afternoon event time works best for each of us.
Thank you to everyone who took time to join us!
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