TREASURERS
You want to make sure you are continuing to maintain your physical binder, while putting together a digital binder that allows you to share it with your review committee. There are many different ways to create a digital binder, depending on your skill set. A super simple way is to use a program like Google Drive, Drop Box, or One Drive to create folders to store your digital documents. Below are steps you can take to create a simple and easy to use online binder:

1. ​Choose your online program. It should be simple to upload files to and you should be able to easily share it with the financial review committee.
2. Create a folder specifically for your financial review. You may already be keeping digital files, but keep in mind that the best way to keep files for you to find, may not be the best way for your review team to locate those files.
3. Set up folders for each section. There is a Financial Review Checklist found on the WA State PTA website. Section 4 will not need a folder as that is for the review committees comments and signatures.
4. Fill each section’s folder with digital copies of these documents. Each section has a list of documents needed to answer questions in that section. To make it easier for your committee to locate documents, if an item is needed for more than one section, put a copy of that document in both sections. To help organize each section folder, create folders within the folder to group items together. For instance, create a folder for each month where you can put your expenses and deposits for that month.
5. Clearly label all digital documents. Keep in mind, what will the review committee be looking for when naming it. In section 2, they ask for minutes where specific things were done (budget approval, elections, etc…) consider labeling those minutes with that title (Budget Approval Minutes). When labeling expenses, consider using the check number (7623 Reimburse Chambers), this puts your expenses in number order.
6. Go through the review questions. Once you have all your documents uploaded to your financial review folder, walk through answering each question and make sure you have all the needed documents. 

Following these steps will help you to feel confident when handing over your books to be reviewed. Before you hand over your binder, make sure you remove anything you store in it that shouldn’t be shared such as passwords. When it is time for the review, give the entire team access to your digital files. Also, if it is at all possible, give at least one person on your review team viewing access to your financial software.

FINANCIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Setting Yourself up for Success:

• Each committee member should have a copy of the Financial Review Checklist to follow along. One person should be in charge of note-taking. You will want to make notes on a draft and then sign the final draft to submit to the board.
• While working remotely, it’s helpful for each team member to take ownership of one section of documents: Meeting Minutes, Standing Rules, any additional Policies (such as money handling, password updates, etc.), Bank Statements, Reconciliation Reports, Treasurer’s Reports, Expenses Reports, Deposit Reports, Grant Documents, Budget, etc.

Quick Tips:

• As you work through the checklist, make note of any exceptions in the comments. If you are unable to answer a question based on what you have in hand, make a note of this and move on to the next question.
• The final page will require signatures from all parties of the Financial Review Committee as well as any feedback and recommendations for the board of directors to take under advisement. This is also a great place to provide positive feedback, too!

​
Financial Review Questions:
For notes on what documents to reference for each individual question check out this helpful document below. Click here to print the PDF of this document.

Legislative session is upon us and starting Monday, January 18th, ​it's
​WSPTA's Focus on Advocacy Week!!

Here's a brief run-down on what you can expect out of this week long event and how you can get involved!

When is Focus on Advocacy Week?
This week long event runs Monday, January 18th through Friday, January 22nd.

Who should participate?
Anyone who wants to advocate for students, teachers, or their school community! Advocacy is for everyone and now is the perfect time to get involved.

Where does this take place?
This year, Focus on Advocacy Week is virtual! That means anyone wanting to participate can do so from their phone or computer.

What is the Legislative Session?
The Legislative session is the time when our senators and representatives work on bills. They will be
debating, reading emails, and holding meetings about current bills for the session.

What is Focus on Advocacy Week?
Focus on Advocacy Week is the week where we as PTA members focus on calling, writing, and having meetings with our
legislators. We do this to get our Legislative Priorities into the hearts and minds of our elected officials and to educate them on what our members need and want.

Why does Focus on Advocacy Week matter?
This is the best time to get our priorities heard by our representatives. Washington State PTA members voted and approved our top 5 issues that we believe lawmakers should work on. Now is the time that we bring these issues to the forefront of their work. See below for a list of our Top 5 Issues as well as how PTA plans to put equity at the center of everything we do with our 2020-2022 Legislative Priorities.

How can someone participate?
1. Sign up for the WSPTA's Action Network Group to get timely alerts.
2. Find your Washington State Legislature Representatives.
3. Set aside time during Focus on Advocacy Week to call and email. WSPTA has designated each day next week to a different focus topic:
   ◘ Monday, January 18 – Call to Action: Focus on anti-racism
   ◘ Tuesday, January 19 – Call to Action: Focus on equity
   ◘ Wednesday, January 20 – Call to Action: Focus on mental health and wellness
   ◘ Thursday, January 21 – Call to Action: Focus on preserving and flexing funding
   ◘ Friday, January 22 – Call to Action: Focus on safety and emergency preparedness
4. Read the January 11 Focus on Advocacy Weekly Report by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Chair, which includes the status of current bills.
5. Spread the word! Invite others from your PTA community to join you in connecting with state legislative leaders. Don't forget to share about Focus on Advocacy Week through your PTA channels such as your website, emails, or social media.

​


Learn more about the WSPTA legislative priorities:

• Top Five Legislative Issues (including also supported issues)
• WSPTA Long-term Resolutions
• WSPTA Long-term Legislative Principles

Check out the image below from WSPTA to see how PTA is putting Equity at the Center of Everything We Do with our 2020-2022 Legislative Priorities. Click here for a printable version.

Northshore Council PTSA is proud to co-sponsor two upcoming Parent Education Events taking place on Thursday, January 28th; one on digital safety and the other on instilling positive self-identity in our children. These events were made possible by the Educational Speaker and Community Event Grants Program. Check out the details for each of these events below!

Join us for ‘Northshore PTAs Connect’ – an online roundtable discussion for PTA/PTSA leaders to ask questions, share ideas, and connect with one another.

​Northshore PTAs Connect Roundtables are designed to support our local PTA/PTSA leaders as we navigate membership, programs, and managing our organizations in an uncertain and ever-changing landscape.

This midday (12 noon) roundtable will be an open discussion in order to give our Local Leaders the opportunity to ask questions and tackle emerging or ongoing areas of interest or concern as we head into the 2nd half of the 20-21 school year.

Date: Thursday, January 28th
Time: 12:00PM (noon)
Location: Online via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97945642459
Meeting ID: 979 4564 2459
Passcode: *Available upon request

Please join us for our 3rd general membership meeting of the year on Thursday, January 21, 2021 via Zoom.

Guest Speaker Update: Cherry Holmes (Reg 6 DEI Chair, WSPTA FACE Committee + DEI Chair, and part of the OSPI DEI Workgroup) will be joining us during this meeting. She will be talking about WSPTA DEI resources that local leaders can use within their own units. 
 
Topic: Jan. 21, 2021 - Membership Meeting - Northshore Council PTSA
Time: Jan 21, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
​
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98768030408

Meeting ID: 987 6803 0408
Passcode: *Available upon request.

One tap mobile
+12532158782,,98768030408# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,98768030408# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
Meeting ID: 987 6803 0408
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aedmGZbOtD

Council meetings will build your PTA knowledge, give you the opportunity to network with other PTA, school district and community leaders, and they can be a lot of fun, too. Each PTA may send up to 4 voting representatives - but we encourage ALL who are interested to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

*A meeting passcode is required to join. It will be sent to local leaders via email. You can also request the passcode by emailing Council PTSA Communications VP, Rachel Fitzgerald.

Please join us for our second general membership meeting of the year on Monday, November 16, 2020 via Zoom.
In addition to our regular business items, we’ll also be holding elections for our 2020-2021 Nominating Committee (See Notice of Election Post).

Additionally, Dr. Michelle Reid, Northshore School District Superintendent, will be joining us for a brief Q&A session during this meeting!
 
Topic: Northshore Council PTSA November General Meeting
Time: Nov 16, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91310708539

Meeting ID: 913 1070 8539
Passcode: *Available upon request.

​One tap mobile
+12532158782,,91310708539# US (Tacoma)
+16699009128,,91310708539# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 913 1070 8539
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adiesbXAOG

Council meetings will build your PTA knowledge, give you the opportunity to network with other PTA, school district and community leaders, and they can be a lot of fun, too. Each PTA may send up to 4 voting representatives - but we encourage ALL who are interested to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

*A meeting passcode is required to join. It will be sent to local leaders via email. You can also request the passcode by emailing Council PTSA Communications VP, Rachel Fitzgerald.

​Join us for a special Monday Night Roundtable focusing on Reflections!

​This roundtable is designed to support our local PTA/PTSA leaders as with any questions they may have about the Reflections Program. 

Date: Monday, October 26th
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Online via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99257796923
Meeting ID: 992 5779 6923
Passcode: *Available upon request

Join us virtually on October 21st at 6:30PM for this upcoming Parent Education event: Parenting on the Same Page!

Guest Speakers, Kira Dorrian and Deana Thayer, co-founders of Future Focused Parenting, aim to support parents and caregivers doing the best they can to create a safe loving environment for their children, where everyone works together as a team. 

This presentation is for any parent or caregiver that wants to thrive rather than just survive throughout their parenting journey. This session helps families get on the same page with their parenting partner or other adults in their children’s lives. Learn strategies for communication, preparing for parenting curveballs, and how to parent with unity even when you disagree. Presentation includes a Q&A for attendees.

Talking points of this presentation include:

• Operate as a team, even when you disagree
• Parent together from a strong set of values
• Work cohesively to support one another and your children in these unprecedented times
• Model parental unity as partners, co-parents, or single parents
• Avoid accidentally undermining your parenting partner
• Find ways to meet each other’s needs so that your own emotional buckets are full
• Plan and prepare for new issues you may see coming down the pipeline

Register to attend at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parenting-on-the-same-page-registration-123364748283
Zoom link will be emailed to those who have registered before the event.

​Note: A Spanish translator will be available during the presentation. Email mayna@closetfly.com if you would like to utilize this service so we can connect you with the translator before the presentation begins, or if you would like to request translation in another language.

Acompañenos por Zoom para nuestro primer evento de KEPTA Parent Education, organizado junto con Northshore Council PTSA! Nuestros oradores invitados desean apoyar a padres y guardianes que quieren crear un ambiente seguro y cariñoso para sus hijos, en el cual todos trabajan como un equipo unido.
Parenting on the Same Page (Criando Niños Juntos)
Miercoles, el 21 de Octubre de 6:30pm a 8:00pm (incluyendo preguntas y respuestas)
https://www.eventbrite.com/x/parenting-on-the-same-page-tickets-123364748283?utm_term=eventname_text
Antes del evento, conozcan a nuestros oradores: Kira Dorrian, CHt, HBCE y Deana Thayer, M.Ed.
https://futurefocusedparenting.com/
El enlace de Zoom se enviará antes del evento. Un traductor de español estará presente durante el evento. Por favor envíe un correo electronico antes del evento si le gustaría estar asignado al traductor para el evento. Si su PTA está interesada en compartir con su comunidad la grabación de esta presentación, por favor comuníquese con este correo electrónico para obtener una licencia.