A powerful voice for all children A relevant resource for families and communities

A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child

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Table of Contents:

The Ohio PTA Voice

December 2015

Note from the President...

Pg. 1- Note from the President

Greetings Family,

Pg. 2 - Planning Your Year

Happy Holidays!!!!!!!! During the holiday season I hope that you find time for
your family. Spend time talking and listening to one another. Singing is a great
way to spend family time. Telling stories is another. I intend to take time for my
family but I have been very busy as your President. I have been travelling a great
deal.

Pg. 4 - Being a PTA Treasurer

Pg. 5 - Ohio PTA Needs You
Pg. 6 - Education

Pg. 8 - How a Bill Becomes Law

In my travels I visited Winton Woods Community PTA in Cincinnati. I was very

impressed by the message on their PTA t-shirts. I thought I would take time to
share their message with you. The front of the shirt says I choose to be a member
of Winton Woods Community PTA to

Pg. 9 - Family School Partnership

The message on the back of the shirt is:

Pg. 11 - Marketing

Support my community

Pg. 12 - Bylaws Info

Advocate for my children

Pg. 13 - Board Members

Help my childs school

Pg. 7 - New Year, New Members

Be part of a decision making process

Support my childrens teachers
Use my skills and talents
Be a role model
Spend more time with my children
Be a change maker
Be a resource for other families
Support academic improvement
Get better programs for my children
Have a voice
Ohio PTA
40 Northwoods Blvd Ste A
Columbus, OH 43235-4718
(614) 781-6344
Fax: (614) 781-6349
office@ohiopta.org

Support our teachers

Support our staff
Help ensure ALL
Winton Woods Community PTA
Every Child, One Voice
Continued...

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The Ohio PTA Voice

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December 2015

It amazed me how they were able to list so many items on the back of a shirt. But
the shirt says it all, I choose. I choose to be a part of one voice for all children.
This was a decision that influenced my life greatly. Become engaged with PTA. Let
your choice make a difference in you and your family.
Happy Holidays,
Sheila

Planning for the 2016-2017 School Year NOW!

Across America and abroad, PTAs will start forming nominating
committees soon so slates can be brought forward for 2016-2017 PTA
Officers. Check your bylaws for when you should elect your
nominating committee. Is it in January or February? Is your election
of officers held in March or April? Your bylaws will provide the
answers to those questions, too. The nominating committee is the
lifeblood of your PTA.
Would you like an Ohio PTA Board Member to present a nominating
committee workshop for your council/unit? We would love to come
out and provide valuable resources to your unit/council. This is a
FREE service for being an Ohio PTA member. In addition, Ohio PTA
has several guides to lead you through this important task. http://
www.ohiopta.org/PTARESOURCESRunningYourPTA.aspx
Venezuela Robinson
Nominating Committee Chairperson
communications@ohiopta.org

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The Ohio PTA Voice

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December 2015

Being a PTA Treasurer in an Electronic Age

(Part 1)
Ive noticed a particular theme in questions from Treasurers around the state
of Ohio since I have taken office as Secretary/Treasurer for Ohio PTA. PTAs
are inquiring about new laws or new procedures when transforming their
Treasurer records to digital software or electronic banking. PTAs have been a
bit slower in making these transitions, but over the years, have been evolving
like the rest of American companies from paper or word documents and paper
checks to online banking and automatic payments. The questions I hear range
from, Is it appropriate for our unit to use a debit or credit card? to What is the
best accounting software for a PTA or nonprofit to use if we wish to start
moving away from Excel spreadsheets?
These are all valid issues that we have to deal with in this new electronic age
with computers and other electronic devices being so prevalent in our society
today. You will be happy to know that PTA believes in staying in tune and upto-date with best practices associated with using technology as it pertains to
banking, accounting, receiving donations, and online storage opportunities.
We are very aware that the speed and transparency of using these new tools
can be tremendous assets to your PTA and volunteers. Here are a few things
you should consider when using any of these electronic applications.

Be sure to use good internal controls for all your financial transactions.
Be sure that your board is committed to good and proper management of
these tools.
Use sound policies and procedures in segregation of duties.
Stay in compliance and review all policies and procedures currently in
place.
Have all policies and procedures in writing concerning using these tools.
Make sure that the workflow enforces your written procedures.

(For more information regarding internal controls, please refer to the National
PTA booklet entitled Money Matters in an Electronic Environment.)
Continued...

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The Ohio PTA Voice

December 2015

Lets begin by talking about the all important question, Credit Card or Debit
Card? Are either of these an option for our PTA? This is one of the most
common questions asked in almost every Treasurer workshop. The answer
is Credit Card, YES (if you are willing to accept the risks involved with using
one) and Debit Card, NO (unless it is a deposit only debit card).
So, for either of these options, we must warn you that your PTA always runs
a risk of fraud or misuse when allowing employees or volunteers to use a
PTA-issued card. However, with good internal controls, the credit card can
be a useful and convenient tool if managed well. Within your written
procedures, you should state by whom and for what the credit card can be
used as well as the cardholder responsibilities assumed by the persons authorized to use the card. Have new cardholders sign a statement saying they
have received the card and have read and agree to the terms and conditions
of your PTA and credit card policies. Make sure to acquire a credit card that
will allow limits by user.
Those limits will be set by your board. Set up an approval process ensuring
all credit card receipts are received and all charges have been approved.
Make sure the cards of all former employees or volunteers are destroyed and
deactivated immediately upon the end of their term or the termination of their
position within your PTA. Make sure to assign a person who does not have
card privileges to review receipts and reconcile them to the credit card statement. A sample credit card policy is available in the National PTA publication
noted above.
The ability to accept credit and debit cards as payments from members is increasing in demand and becoming more widely available through use of mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. And again, internal controls are
the key in being able to successfully provide these types of services. Make
sure to never transmit cardholders data by e-mail, mail or fax and never store
credit card data of members on paper or electronically in an unsecured area.
Do not store PIN or CVV2/CVC2/CID numbers. Do not share user IDs for
systems access. Do store all physical documents containing credit card data
in a locked drawer, file cabinet or locked office which the PTA solely controls.
Continued...

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The Ohio PTA Voice

December 2015

Debit cards are a different story. If you lose a debit card, or if it is stolen
from you, your PTA bank account could essentially be drained of all funds
before you even realize the card is missing. Another reason for your PTA
not to acquire a debit card is that when multiple volunteers have access to
a debit card, it can be difficult to track purchases made. Accounting becomes difficult because individual receipts are the only record for your purchases. The use of gift cards to pay PTA bills is also discouraged, for the
same reasons above, and they are not traceable once purchased.
In Part II of this article coming out next month, we will go into other electronic opportunities for your PTA, such as Non-profit Services and software, cloud computing and storage, and electronic banking.
If you have further questions about any financial matters, you can reach
me at sec-treasurer@ohiopta.org.
Suzie Smith-Rios
Secretary / Treasurer

Ohio PTA Needs YOU! Ohios Children Need YOU!

A District Advisor for District 6 is needed. District 6 comprises Southern Ohio
the Cincinnati area.
What is a District Advisor?
The District Advisor has the responsibility of providing field service to Ohio
PTA units and councils and serving as the direct link between the local level
and state association. Field service encompasses those activities that further
the purpose of the PTA and lead local PTA units and councils to become
more effective.
For a complete job description click here
Venezuela Robinson
Nominating Committee Chair

communications@ohiopta.org

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The Ohio PTA Voice

December 2015

Inspirational Educator Column

OK for this month, I need you to do something before you continue reading.
READY? Grab a mirror. Are you looking at it? See that person looking at you? Yes,
that is the inspirational educator we are featuring this month! YOU!!
As the first educator of your child, YOU chose the pathway for your child. YOU
decided that education involves not just the hours of instruction, but the relationships
built, investments made, and information gathered from various local, state and
national agencies. You realized that your child is part of a system that is only strong
when the individuals work as a team. Therefore, you joined PTA! What YOU do goes
way beyond the parties and room parent activities.
As a PTA member, YOU have chosen not to just advocate for your child, but for all
children. PTA is the premiere parent and teacher group. YOU and all PTA members
actively support youth in their educational development through membership funds,
training, programs, and advocacy. YOU know that the work for students in your
school reaches far beyond the doorsteps of the building. YOU continue to foster
relationships with district personnel to inspire educational opportunities for all
children. YOU train and advocate with OHIO PTA because you know policies
affecting your child are not just developed by local school boards, but also in
Columbus and Washington D.C. YOU contribute to our membership efforts and
coffers so others can continue the excellent work being done and to find others to help
in PTA goals and objectives. YOU believe in public education as an equal opportunity
source for ALL children. So keep looking in that mirror and smile for all the reasons
that make YOU Ohio PTAs inspirational educator. Thank YOU!

Education Updates
Recently on the Ohio Department of Education website, technology practice items for
ELA and math are now available on the Ohio Test Portal. Students and families can
practice items in social studies, science, math and English language arts. There are
also student practice resources (tutorials, online calculator, rubrics, answer keys and
guides). The link to it is
http://oh.portal.airast.org/ocba/students-and-families/
At the end of October, 2014-15 scores from state tests were released. Districts will be
sharing these soon with parents and students (if they havent already). It is a giant
spreadsheet and may require sorting for the district before it reaches parents.
Please check the recently renovated Education tab on Ohio PTAs website. We have
provided various links to valuable resources for parents.
From Pre-K to high school, there are resources for parents
and caregivers on a variety of topics from 3rd grade
reading guarantee to college credit plus. If you know of
any other resources and would like us to feature them on
the website, please contact Ohio PTA or me at
education@ohiopta.org.

Jackie Arendt
Director of Education

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The Ohio PTA Voice

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December 2015

NEW YEAR=
NEW MEMBERS
The time has come to rejuvenate or even reinvent your Membership Campaign!
Please spend the month of December with your committee, planning how to wow
people and capture those members that have yet to join when school resumes in
January. We say it over and overMembership is a Year-Long Event! We truly mean
that and we want to see every unit take that statement seriously. Even if you have
reached the goal that Ohio PTA set for Membership this year, you should still be
pursuing new members. If you have not yet met your goal, please keep trying!
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES is anyone to give up at any point in the year. Take
a lesson from many Early Childhood PTAs that never stop recruiting for even a
moment. As soon as one Membership year ends for these units, they are already
gathering families for events to renew for next year! In the middle of the summer,
Early Childhood and Pre-School units are having swim parties, picnics and familycentered events that draw people to their organization to see what its all about. Please
do not think of your committee as a bother to people because you have reached out
consistently! Instead, the Membership Committee should be made up of the biggest
cheerleaders in the unit; always willing to have a Pep Rally to get the team fired up
again! Below are some tips for gaining new members in the second half of the year:

Start with a new theme or build off of the original.

ASK PEOPLE TO JOIN RIGHT NOW! Do not make it a yes or no question that
allows for rejection. You are asking for a good cause, so be confident.
Make the request personal. Pick up the phone to call people that still have not
renewed or invite someone you just met to the next meeting.
Tell people how the value your PTA provides makes a difference in the lives of
each child you represent.
Point out to people that when we advocate, we ask all of our members to speak for
all children.
Make a Membership incentive specific to recruiting male members.
Ask the female members of your PTA to invite the men in their lives to join.
Visit local businesses and stores personally to showcase what your PTA provides
and invite them to join and form a partnership with your organization.
We want to recognize your unit at our annual convention, so please, THINK BIG
when it comes to Membership! As always, feel free to email with any questions at
membership@ohiopta.org.
Angela Revay
Director of Membership

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The Ohio PTA Voice

December 2015

How a Bill Becomes Law

Growing up in the 1970s, I can recall watching the Saturday morning cartoons series,
Schoolhouse Rock. It taught important educational information that was coupled
with exciting animation and catchy music. One of my favorite songs was Just a Bill
and I can easily recall the words of that song today. It explained the process of how a
bill becomes a law.
There are approximately 25,000 bills introduced in each term of Congress, but only 10
percent become law. The legislative process can be complicated; however, there are
basic steps in the law-making process. Any member of Congress may introduce
legislation. Each bill that is introduced by a member of Congress is assigned a number
- H.R. # for bills originating in the House of Representatives and S. # for bills
originating in the Senate. After a bill has been introduced and assigned a number, it is
referred to the committee that has jurisdiction over the issue. For example, an
education bill would be referred to the U.S. House Committee on Education and the
Workforce or the U.S. Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions.
Most bills die in committee. The committee may pigeonhole, table, amend, or vote on
the bill. If the bill passes, it goes to Rules Committee. The Rules Committee decides
the rules for debate, and when the bill will come up for debate. In the House of
Representatives, the Speaker of the House determines if and when a bill will come
before the full body for a vote.
The House debates the bill, and may add amendments. After proponents and
opponents debate a bill, the bill is reported back to the House for a vote. If a majority
votes in favor of the bill, it goes to the Senate.
If a Senator introduces the bill, it is sent to a committee. The same procedure as in
the House is followed. If the committee majority votes for the bill, it goes to the
whole Senate. In the Senate, the Majority Leader determines if and when a bill will
come before the full body for a vote. The bill is debated, and amendments may be
added. If a majority votes in favor of the bill, it is returned to the House.

Continued...

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The Ohio PTA Voice

December 2015

If the House and Senate versions of a bill vary after passing both chambers, a
conference committee is created to reconcile the two different versions of the
bill. If no agreement can be reached, the bill dies. If the conference committee is
able to come to a consensus, both the House and Senate must pass the new
version of the bill. If either house does not pass this version, the bill dies. Often,
the House and the Senate committees of jurisdiction will negotiate provisions of
non-controversial bills to avoid conference.
Both houses must approve changes made by the conference committee. If
approved, the bill goes to the president. The president may sign (approve) the
bill or veto (reject) it. If approved, it becomes law. If the president vetoes the bill,
it can still become law if two thirds of both houses vote to override the veto. For
more information about the legislative process, go to www.pta.org/advocacy or
email me, advocacy@ohiopta.org.
Tandra Rutledge
Director of Advocacy

Family-School Partnership Promoting Student

Success
How can you help your child succeed in school?
Parents are important partners in a childs education. There are as many different
approaches to helping our children to succeed as there are resources to promote
these approaches. Most of this we sometimes view as common sense or
experience if we have raised other children. How do we as parents pick THE best
ways to ensure that our children are happy, healthy, and well-prepared to go into
the world? Here are some best practices:
Talk to your child - Start the conversation and encourage questions and
conversations. Create an atmosphere of openness that it is okay to talk about any
subject. Turn everyday situations into opportunities to talk. Bring up a topic you
want to discuss in the car. Start the conversation.
Listen to your child - It is important to be a great listener! Listen with your ears,
eyes and heart.
Set high but realistic expectations - Help your child explore possibilities and plan
ahead for the future.
Build your childs self-esteem and confidence - Let them know they are special.
Help them look at what they do well. Look for your childs unique qualities and
provide guidance.
Keep your child healthy - Promote a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, rest
and exercise. Maintain a healthy balance between school work and home life. Keep
stress to a minimum.
Support learning at home - Emphasize effort, not just results. Celebrate small
improvements in any area. Create a home that nurtures learning and provide
support if needed.
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Continued...

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The Ohio PTA Voice

December 2015

Communicate with your childs school - Talk regularly with your childs teachers
about what is expected at school and how you can help at home.
Encourage exploration and discovery - Help your child discover the world around
them, promote curiosity. Share your hobbies and talents.
Help your child develop good relationships - Get to know your childs friends and
their families. Find out how your childs friends feel about certain issues. Engage in
daily conversations with your child about interests, concerns and what is
happening with their peers.
Keep your child safe - Set up their world for safety. Provide structure and
consistency. Prepare your child without causing fear.
Participate in community service - Interacting with people with different
backgrounds teaches a child tolerance. Giving up recreation time to help others
teaches a child the importance of volunteering and allows them to differentiate
between needs and wants.
Pam Bonnett
Director of Family-School Partnership
fsp@ohiopta.org

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The Ohio PTA Voice

December 2015

INCREASE PTA MEMBERSHIP BY EXPANDING

YOUR MARKETING TOOLBOX
A press release is a written, formal statement to the media on behalf of
an organization. It typically announces a range of news items, including
events, awards, new products, or programs. A press release is useful when
there is a milestone event, program launch or other big news coming
from your PTA that is intended for a broad media audience. It follows a
standard format, contains the appropriate contact information and allows
a reporter the chance to follow up with you, should he/she be interested
in pursuing a story.
All PTAs should send out press releases. How well a press release is
written is almost as important as the information it contains. In general,
the most important information comes first, with less important details in
later paragraphs.
Components of an Effective Press Release
* Deliver key information quickly: who, what, where, when, why and how
should be found near the top of the release.
* Keep it short. Use action words and simple sentences with common
language.
* Report the facts, not opinions. Avoid editorializing and using adjectives
such as outstanding or interesting when describing programs,
events, etc.
* Dont use titles like Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss. Refer to people by their full
name on first reference.
* On second mention, refer to people by their last names only.
* Verify your facts. Your credibility depends on the accuracy of the
information.
* Checkand then double checkspelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Save the date Sunday, February 7th, 7 pm. Statewide

Communications Committee Conference Call featuring LaWanda
Toney, Director, Strategic Communications for National PTA.
Dial-in # (712) 775-7031 / Access Code: 276-129
Venezuela Robinson
Director of Communications
communications@ohiopta.org
Source: National PTA Press Releases

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The Ohio PTA Voice

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December 2015

Information for Local Bylaws Chairs

Bylaws of the PTA determine its structure, define members rights and
provide regulations for operating units and councils. They protect the
group from error and guide it to efficient service.

Bylaws are required by the IRS to be a 501(c)(3) entity.

Local unit and council bylaws must be reviewed every three (3)
years.

If you are ready to review or update your bylaws, contact the Ohio
PTA Bylaws Director at bylawsandstandingrules@ohiopta.org to get a
copy of the Sample Unit or Council Bylaws. This will guide you step by
step on how to update your bylaws.

KEEP YOUR BYLAWS SIMPLE. You do not want to have them be so

specific that they keep you from operating. Standing Rules are the
details of your daily PTA work.

Amendments to local PTA bylaws require a 2/3 vote of the members

present and voting at a general meeting provided a quorum is present
and a 30-day notice has been given to members of the proposed
changes.

Once your membership has approved the changes to your bylaws, the
bylaws chair should email a copy of the new amended bylaws in a
word document to Cindy Schanz, Ohio PTA Bylaws Director for
approval at bylawsandstandingrules@ohiopta.org.

Upon Ohio PTA approval, you will receive an email with your approved
bylaws and then bylaws chairs should distribute copies of your
approved local unit bylaws to each board member. The Ohio PTA will
keep an electronic copy of the approved bylaws.

Cindy Schanz
Director of Bylaws and Standing Rules

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The Ohio PTA Voice

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December 2015

Your PTA Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE BOARD

DIRECTORS

President
Sheila Ragland
614-351-8083
president@ohiopta.org
President-elect
Susan Hans
440-243-8776

Advocacy
Tandra Rutledge
216-860-4575
advocacy@ohiopta.org

Diversity
Jeanne GroetzShockling
330-313-1544
diversity@ohiopta.org

FSP
Pam Bonnett
440-781-2927
fsp@ohiopta.org

Bylaws & SRules

Cindy Schanz
330 329-6335
bylawsandstandingrules@ohiopta.org

Education
Jackie Arendt
440-230-1567
education@ohiopta.org

HWS
Lisa Catalano
440-498-9545
hws@ohiopta.org

Communications
Venezuela Robinson
440-786-9855
communications@ohiopta.org

Events
Linda Read
330-923-7248
events@ohiopta.org

Membership
Angela Revay
216-328-9668
membership@ohiopta.org

District 3
Lois Monroe
937-653-8741
da3@ohiopta.org

District 11
Debbie Tidwell
440-779-7141
da11@ohiopta.org

District 17
Carol Beasley
216-383-1963
da17@ohiopta.org

District 7
Dana Paul
440-843-6951
da7@ohiopta.org

District 12
Maria Lang
440-289-9696
da12@ohiopta.org

District 18
Shannon Weber
440-781-0036
da18@ohiopta.org

District 10
Terry Hickey
614-870-9570
da10@ohiopta.org

District 13
Rebecca Gawsyszawski
440-315-9097
da13@ohiopta.org

OFFICE
Sue Owen
office@ohiopta.org
Jeri Gookin
jerigcr@sbcglobal.net

presidentelect@ohiopta.org
VP Leadership
Ana Chapman
440-234-2504
vpleadership@ohiopta.org
VP Field Service
Lisa Weaver
330-825-8252
vpfieldservice@ohiopta.org
Secretary/Treasurer
Suzie Smith-Rios
614-878-3596
Sec-treasurer@ohiopta.org

Immediate Past President

Lisa Mack
216-691-2990
lamack7@aol.com

DISTRICT ADVISORS

Vacant Advisor Positions: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 19.

If anyone is interested in serving on the Ohio PTA Board of Directors, contact Venezuela Robinson at communications@ohiopta.org. Job descriptions and an application are posted on the Ohio PTA website.
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