Every year, PTAs enter into a variety of contracts. Whether it is a contract with a fundraising company for a fundraiser, with a bounce house supplier for a fun fair, or a local artist to conduct a workshop at a PTA event, the PTA is entering into a legal agreement and needs to be aware … Continue reading PTAs and Contracts
Top 10 Tips for New PTA Treasurers
Most people think that president is the toughest job in PTA, but in reality, it is probably the treasurer’s job that is the hardest. Not that the work is difficult—it is mostly just addition and subtraction and attention to details—but that the stakes are high. As treasurer, you are ensuring that all the PTA funds … Continue reading Top 10 Tips for New PTA Treasurers
7 Tips for a Strong Financial PTA Year
While running a PTA is a volunteer job, to the state of Illinois and the federal government, it is running a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With that official role comes some legal obligations, most of which focus on financial issues. Here are seven tips to help you get your PTA year off on good financial footing. … Continue reading 7 Tips for a Strong Financial PTA Year
What PTAs Need to Kow About the Illinois PTA Proposed Dues Increase
The Illinois PTA State Board of Directors has proposed a $0.75 dues increase starting July 1, 2022. Delegates to the Illinois PTA Convention in Springfield on March 29-30, 2022 will vote on the proposal as part of the business of convention. Here’s what PTAs need to know about the proposed dues increase. Why a Dues … Continue reading What PTAs Need to Kow About the Illinois PTA Proposed Dues Increase
8 Grant Writing Tips for PTAs
Illinois PTA recently celebrated four local PTAs earning National PTA program grants. These PTAs received $1,000 from National PTA and program sponsors to help bring PTA programs on STEM, literacy, digital citizenship, mental health, and the arts to their school. Here are some tips to help your PTA prepare for the next round of National … Continue reading 8 Grant Writing Tips for PTAs
Planning for Your PTA Year
Once again, PTA leaders planning for the coming year are faced with a lot of uncertainty. From the growing prevalence of the delta variant to breakthrough infections in vaccinated people and shifting recommendations on mask wearing, it is difficult to know how your coming school year will play out. Much of what Illinois PTA shared with … Continue reading Planning for Your PTA Year
PTA Funds and Tragedy
A beloved teacher at your school dies. A family’s house burns down, and while they all escaped safely, they are left without anything. A child at your school has a serious health issue, and the family is struggling to pay medical bills. Every school is a community, and every community faces tragedy now and then. … Continue reading PTA Funds and Tragedy
PTAs and Fundraising: Games of Chance
One of the more common fundraising questions from PTAs concerns various games of chance—raffles, “squares,” and other similar activities. The appeal of such fundraisers is apparent, as they are often very easy to run and have the potential to raise a significant amount of money. However, such activities are heavily regulated in Illinois and may … Continue reading PTAs and Fundraising: Games of Chance
Running Your PTA When School is Closed—Part 4: Additional Financial Issues
Illinois PTA is continuing its efforts to support our PTAs and PTA Councils by answering questions you may have about running your PTA in this unprecedented situation. Our previous parts of this ongoing series are here: Part 1: Meetings & Elections Part 2: Fundraising & Unused Funds Part 3: Audit & Budget If you have … Continue reading Running Your PTA When School is Closed—Part 4: Additional Financial Issues
Running Your PTA When School is Closed—Part 3: Audit & Budget
Illinois PTA is continuing its efforts to support our PTAs and PTA Councils by answering questions you may have about running your PTA in this unprecedented situation. Our previous parts of this ongoing series are here: Part 1: Meetings & Elections Part 2: Fundraising & Unused Funds If you have questions not addressed here, please … Continue reading Running Your PTA When School is Closed—Part 3: Audit & Budget
Running Your PTA When School is Closed—Part 2: Fundraising & Unused Funds
Illinois PTA is continuing its efforts to support our PTAs and PTA Councils by answering questions you may have about running your PTA in this unprecedented situation. Our previous part of this ongoing series is here: Part 1: Meetings and Elections If you have questions not addressed here, please contact your Region or District Director … Continue reading Running Your PTA When School is Closed—Part 2: Fundraising & Unused Funds
News from National Convention—Proposed Dues Increase
Early this year, National PTA proposed an increase in national membership dues of $1.50/member, raising the total National PTA portion of dues from $2.25/member to $3.75/member. The original proposal was to make the dues increase effective July 1, 2019, but National PTA moved the proposed start date to September 1, 2019 based on feedback. The … Continue reading News from National Convention—Proposed Dues Increase
Illinois PTA Policy on Fundraising and Alcohol
In response to an increasing number of questions from PTAs regarding fundraising and alcohol, the Illinois PTA State Board of Directors has adopted the following policy for local PTAs, PTA Councils, districts, regions, and the State Board of Directors. Like every PTA activity, fundraising should be conducted in alignment with our mission: to make every … Continue reading Illinois PTA Policy on Fundraising and Alcohol
10 Steps to Deal with Suspected Fraud or Theft in Your PTA
Theft and fraud are relatively rare in PTA, but it does happen. For PTAs that are using best practices when handling money, making deposits, and writing checks, they are even less likely to occur. By being proactive and examining your PTA’s processes and controls, your PTA can better avoid being a victim of theft or … Continue reading 10 Steps to Deal with Suspected Fraud or Theft in Your PTA
8 Keys to Getting Business Donations
Business donations can help a PTA offer programs and events and takes some of the financial burden off of your members by avoiding the need for fundraisers. But reaching out to businesses doesn’t come naturally to most people, and it can feel a little awkward when you first start. Here are eight tips to get … Continue reading 8 Keys to Getting Business Donations
Is Your PTA Ready with a Budget for This Year?
The budget and finance committee develops a budget to meet the needs of the PTA’s programs and activities. After the PTA has adopted the budget, the budget and finance chairman (usually the treasurer) is responsible for assuring that PTA money is disbursed in accordance with the budget, presenting necessary amendments to the budget at executive … Continue reading Is Your PTA Ready with a Budget for This Year?
How to Handle Bad Checks
It happens to almost every PTA every year. A check for membership, spirit wear, or a fundraiser gets returned. Depending on what the check was for, the PTA can be left responsible for full payment on merchandise already received. Here’s how to handle bad checks. Your PTA’s check handling policies should go in your PTA’s … Continue reading How to Handle Bad Checks
Plan Now for PTA Success in the Fall
With the school year coming to a close and summer activities to look forward to, many PTA leaders may be looking to put their feet up for the next few months. But summer provides an excellent time for PTA leaders to make their lives easier once school starts back up. By doing some planning for … Continue reading Plan Now for PTA Success in the Fall
6 Things to Wrap Up Your PTA Year
May is a busy month for PTAs with Teacher Appreciation Week, end of the school year activities, and electing new officers. As a PTA leader, you’re probably a bit worn out from everything your PTA has done this past year. But making sure your PTA is successful next year begins with wrapping up this year. … Continue reading 6 Things to Wrap Up Your PTA Year
IRS Releases Updated Form 990-EZ
As 501(c)3 organizations, PTAs are required to file some type of Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) every year. That form is due on the 15th day of the fifth month after the end of their fiscal year. For PTAs whose fiscal year ends June 30th, the filing deadline is November 15th. PTAs … Continue reading IRS Releases Updated Form 990-EZ
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