September 11, 2007 Minutes

PTO President, Tina Melvin, welcomed everyone.Everyone in attendance introduced themselves to the group.Tina introduced PTO Treasurer, Matt Williams.

Matt Williams discussed revisions to the PTO bylaws (review the propsed bylaws).Copies of former and proposed bylaws were distributed for review.A vote will be taken to accept the new bylaws at the October PTO meeting.

Matt Williams explained that PTO is now incorporated and that PTO is in the process of getting their 501c3 status.This will allow the PTO to apply for grants, be tax exempt and recognized as a non-profit organization.A vote was taken and approved to proceed with the 501c3 process.

Matt Williams went over the PTO Budget.Fiscal year is July 1 – June 30^th.He discussed how PTO earns money through Market Day, Abitibi recycling, donations, Market Day and fundraisers.He also discussed various events that PTO sponsors, such as Secret Santa, Book Fair, Staff Appreciation week, field trips and various special assemblies.

We discussed purchasing green “pride” t-shirts for PBS.

Matt explained that spending will be limited until after the fall fundraiser.

Current PTO balance is approximately $2300.00.

Individual donations can now be made to the PTO through the website via PayPal.

Becky with Midland Fundraiser talked about our upcoming fundraiser.Money will be collected from parents at pick-up on Oct. 26^th.No money is to be handled by students!

Judi Thompson announced that $124.80 in box tops money was submitted over the summer.The next deadline will be Oct. 20^th.

Mary Bowe explained the upcoming Secret Santa, which will be Sat. Dec. 8^th.We again plan to have the cake walk, face painting, crafts, lunch, free gift wrap, pictures with Santa, two raffles (Conger student and Open raffle) and gift merchandise available for purchase.Many volunteers will be needed to run the various areas that day.

Mr. Stewart discussed the District Report card and goals for proficiency.He also discussed upcoming dates to remember, including:No School Sept 20 and 21^st, District Communication Roundtable on Sept 24^th, School pictures on Sept. 27^th with retakes on Nov. 1^st.Mr. Steward also advised PTO that the staff has mentioned their appreciation of PTO and their support of such things as field day, book fairs, Secret Santa and the framed art work for the halls.The staff would like to see more literacy support in the way of author or artist visits / assemblies this year.Staff also suggested dropping COSI on Wheels this year and spending those funds on literacy promotions.

PTO discussed possibly doing family-oriented assemblies after school, such as author visits, etc. in lieu of movie nights this year.

PTO Vice President Paula Eyerman presented Mary Bowe with a gift certificate to Fort Rapids from PTO members and Conger Staff for her efforts in PTO last year after President Kristen Miller and Treasurer Bob O’Sullivan left Conger during the school year.