September 16, 2024 Membership Meeting Recap

On September 16, 2024, Northshore Council PTSA held an in-person General Membership Meeting. We would like to say thank you to the local leaders from across the Northshore School District, as well as community and school partners, for taking the time to join us!
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Continue reading below for a recap of the meeting. 

Council Business

• An election was held for three open Council board positions: VP of Elementary Support, VP of Secondary Support and VP of Communications. The following were elected to these positions: 
  VP of Elementary Support - Jennifer Drury and Jennifer Snyder
  VP of Secondary Support – Rachel Fitzgerald
  VP of Communications – Jane Chiodo
• After the minutes for the May 2024 Membership meeting were presented for review, Council President, Grace Jurado, standing in for Council Treasurer, Brenae Brix, presented the findings of the 2023-2024 Financial Review, the July and August 2024 Treasurer Reports, the 2023-2024 End of Year report, and the proposed 2024-2025 Council Budget, which was then approved by vote. There was an update regarding Council fees. Fees would be invoiced three times per year with payment method left to the PTA's choice. Read more about payment of Council fees HERE!
• Council President, Grace Jurado, presented proposed edits to the Council Standing Rules to keep our Council compliant with changes made to the WSPTA Uniform Bylaws at their annual meeting in May 2024. Along with moving our Mental Health Committee to an ad-hoc committee, an Outreach committee and an Inclusion committee were established. The chair from each new committee will be selected by the members of those committees and will be a voting member of the Council Board of Directors. If you are interested in volunteering for these and other Council committees, we invite you to fill out this interest form.
  Members of Council received feedback during and after the meeting about the naming of the Inclusion Committee. We are open to suggestions for a name that better fits the goals of this committee without any marginalized group feeling excluded. Please take a moment to share your ideas on the naming of this new committee by filling out our feedback form. 
  After discussion, the proposed Standing Rules edits were accepted by vote. In regard to the Inclusion committee, our local PTA voting delegates always have the opportunity to modify our Standing Rules, including the names of committees, at a membership meeting.

What is Council?

• Our newly elected Council VP's of Elementary and Secondary Support walked through a presentation on what Council can do to support our local PTA's in Northshore School District. This presentation also included how to reach out to Council and how to stay connected through our various means of communication. Check it out the "What is Council?" presentation HERE!

Community Partners

• Carri Campbell – NSD Executive Director of Communications
  The audiences for the district "listen and learn" sessions will be more targeted this year. They are bringing together more community members in these sessions to help build bridges between families. The district will also work to target smaller groups using family representatives as well as co-constructing family events. Grant funding was received to hire a language access coordinator (.5).
• Superintendent Michael Tolley
  The district will continue to work on building a sense of belonging as the foundation of the work they do. There has been work towards making sure instruction materials for K-5 literacy are being implemented as well as increasing inclusionary practices for students and staff. The district has commissioned a middle school task force to review the original intention of the middle school model and what, if any, changes need to be made. The budget is still a concern with cuts approaching $10 million for next year's budget. There is an op-ed that will go out in the Connections newsletter re: the state not fully funding education. The school board is meeting with state representatives soon about that same issue. He also gave a reminder that in February 2026 there will be a bond/levy election.
• Marco Garcia – Community Partnerships & Volunteer Coordinator
  Marco started with a reminder to renew your volunteer status every year. He talked about a symposium for Spanish speaking families on Saturday Sept. 28. Over the summer, the district, with volunteer help and donations, supported over 300 families with food deliveries. This amount was equal to about 50% of all free & reduced lunch qualifying families. Marco gave a few more date reminders - Oct. 22 is Art Docent training from 11am-1pm in the Admin Board Room and on Oct. 10th from 11:30am-1pm there would be a Community Partner meeting, which would be a chance to meet other organizations in the district that provide help to families within our community.

Committee Updates

• Advocacy – Our Advocacy Co-VP's will be shifting their focus to mentoring and supporting all advocates in our NSD PTA's. Have advocacy questions? Reach out to Holly and Terra, our Co-VPs of Advocacy.
• Events – Oct. 24th is Council's Presidents and Principals event at the Brightwater Center. All NSD PTA presidents and their principals are invited to attend. The BHS Culinary program will be putting together lunch for the event. 
• Membership – We currently have over 2300 members! Allison, our Council Membership Chair, can also help you with  the Givebacks membership database. If you have any questions, reach out!
• Reflections – “Accepting Imperfection” is the theme. There are 4-5 Reflections trainings coming up. There will be an event to celebrate all of the entries currently planned to take place in January. If you have any questions, reach out to Laura, our Council Reflections chair!
• Speaker and Events Grants Program – The first deadline for grant applications is Oct. 21!
• E-Prep – E-Prep Chair Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month. E-Prep Chair Training is happening on Oct. 17th @ 3:30pm. Questions about E-Prep? Reach out to Robin, our E-Prep & Safety Chair.
• Communications – Council has two private Facebook groups - a Presidents group and a group for all NSD PTA local leaders. Don't forget to update your PTA officer and chair contact information.
  
  

Calendar Reminders

• Don't forget to register for WSPTA Legislative Assembly happening Oct. 26 - 27th.

After the meeting was adjourned, leaders were invited to grab some cookies and join informational sessions regarding Standing Rules, Reflections, Givebacks membership database or a President's Roundtable.

We hope to see you at our next membership meeting on November 18, 2024, at 7PM via Zoom. 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!