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Happy New Year!  I don't know if that phrase makes me feel excited, nervous or relieved!  However, what I do know is that ready or not, it's here.   It was only a blink ago, last New Year's, when I was asking you guys to hold me accountable if I avoid the hard topics, shy away from taking a risk and belittle myself for the sake of humor.  I must say that some of you did exactly what I asked!  We fought the tough battles, we stepped out of our comfort zones and we lifted each other during moments of self-doubt.  Regardless of how many roadblocks and challenges we faced in 2017, we made it through to another year, another opportunity, another chance.  We made mistakes, I'm sure, some of us more than others.  But those challenges and mistakes don't define us, they REFINE us. 

I'm determined again this year to grow.  To grow my knowledge, my confidence, my influence and my potential.  I want to urge you to keep growing, as well.  Don't stop pushing, don't stop questioning, don't stop evolving into whatever it is you want to be!  It's never too late, or too early, or too much.  Set goals, write down your dreams, lay aside doubts, eliminate roadblocks.  When we take small steps to become a better version of ourselves, it only serves to help us reach our ultimate goal: The goal of serving others.

This year, the key to our success will be the perfect balance between taking care of ourselves and supporting those in need around us.  They say "You can't pour from an empty cup", and that is so true.  Sometimes, as volunteers, we are always so quick to say YES, when at that moment we know we need to say NOT RIGHT NOW.  Listen to your body, take care of you and strengthen the foundation of your life, so when the time comes to serve, you will do so like a warrior!

Let's make this year the best ever!

Cindy Gerhardt
President  
 Legislative Conference - January 21-23, 2018





It's not too late!
Please join us for our 2018 Legislative Conference in Tallahassee.  

Registration is $55 ($35 for students).


(please register by January 18)

Position Statements
Do you know where Florida PTA stands on the myriad of issues facing our students, families, and schools today?  Please click here to review our current position statements.
Founders Day

Read about what Founder's Day means and how and why it's celebrated!  Thanks to our Executive Director, Jean Hovey, for the information!
Scholarships for High School Seniors
 Leadership 

Happy New Year! Did you remember to relax, recharge and reenergize?  We certainly hope so! My favorite part of the holidays is being able to spend time with family and friends.  It seems no matter how busy we are in our daily lives, during the holidays we always manage to make extra time for fun with family.  Now that we have recharged we are ready to hit the ground running!  Over the next few months you will hear about several events going on throughout the state and we hope you will be able to join us.  January will bring our Legislative Conference in Tallahassee, February will bring Founder's Day, March will bring the Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., April will bring our annual Reflections Ceremony in Orange County, June will bring the National PTA Convention in New Orleans and July will bring our Leadership Convention at Innisbrook Golf & Country Club. Wow...lots to come and those are just the events, not mentioning all the programs and elections to prepare for.  We hope you are excited as we are!  Remember, we are here for you and no matter how busy life gets, it is always okay to reach out for support. 

This month's Leadership topic will be "Leaders build the next generation of leaders":

They build the next generation of leaders.
Leaders can't, and shouldn't, stand alone. A company doesn't need just one influential individual. Leaders should want to develop more leaders from the get-go.

"Great leaders also hire and inspire other great leaders, whom they trust to carry out the company mission and instill a sense of purpose that touches each and every staff member," added Tom Villante, co-founder, chairman and CEO of payment processing company  YapStone .

According to J. Kelly Hoey, author, " Build Your Dream Network " (TarcherPerigree, 2017), a leader builds their employees so they can be as successful as, if not more than, the person in charge. "A leader is someone who builds their team, mentors them and then advocates for them," she said.   They are not in competition - they are part of a team.

Projects from the Leadership Development Commission
  • NPTA E-Learning Cultural Competency, please visit www.pta.org and take the E-Learning course
  • Day of Service, #LETTHEMSEEUS, share your stories of your community outreach service projects and use the hashtag
  • Hanging of the Hands for Children's Week: January 22-26, 2018
  • Leadership Convention July 12-15, 2018 

Learning and growing,
Jen Martinez
VP of Leadership
 Health & Wellness Grant Winners
The Florida PTA Health & Wellness Committee would like to thank all the local units and County Councils who applied for a Health & Wellness Grant. Congratulations to the following winners, who will receive a $100.00 grant to start or supplement an existing Health & Wellness program: 


 

Socrum PTA--Polk County

Westchester Elem PTA--Broward

George Marks Elem PTA--Volusia

Maniscalco Elem PTA--Hillsborough

Pinellas County PTA--Pinellas

Darnell Cookman Middle High--Duval

MacFarlane Park Magnet Elem--Hillsborough

Lee Elementary School of Tech--Hillsborough

Lamb Elem PTA-Hillsborough


 
Health and wellness is important to the overall well-being of a child. If you do not currently have a health and wellness program in your budget, please consider adding one for next year.

 Membership Matters

Attention All Treasurers!
As we start the new year, treasurers must look toward the end of our fiscal year which is rapidly approaching. We must start getting our files in order if they are not already in order. This will make the process of the end of year review and next year's tax filing easier. Also, for the outgoing treasurer, this will make the transition of officers easier. You can also do a mid-year review of the books and budget (which I do suggest) to make sure that your unit is staying on point with what you have planned for the year. This will also allow you to see if any changes need to be made. Remember the budget is a working document and can be changed and updated at a General PTA meeting. Click here for a detailed a checklist to get prepared for the end of the year.
 Spotlight on...Linda Kearschner
Linda Kearschner, President-Elect of Florida PTA, was selected to participate in the January 2018 Lifetouch Memory Mission, an intensive volunteer effort, to build a new community center and school cafeteria in Rio Grande, Dominican Republic.
 
The Dominican Republic Lifetouch Memory Mission began in 2011 with the first floor of the Cecaini K-8 school and returning in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Over the six years of construction, the volunteers finished the second floor of the school, built a two-story vocational school and a two-story K-8 school in Rio Grande.
 
The 2018 Lifetouch Memory Mission will consist of 46 volunteers that include 29 educators and 16 Lifetouch employees from around the country. The volunteers will depart on January 15 and return on January 23.

To support Linda as she travels to help build schools internationally, please visit her webpage!  

To learn more about the Lifetouch Memory Missions visit www.lifetouchmemorymission.com
 Leadership Convention - July 12-15, 2018


Leadership Convention is coming...Leadership Convention is coming...

What does that mean you ask??  Well I am glad you did.  Leadership Convention is our annual event for all local unit leaders and members to learn more about PTA.  It is a time for networking, collaboration and learning.  It is an experience that even the most seasoned PTA leader finds valuable.  With over 80 workshops to choose from, there is something for everyone to enhance their PTA knowledge.  With workshops, elections, county council gatherings, PTA's Got Talent, General Meetings, policy discussions, exhibitors there to share their information and products and more, there is definitely something for everyone!
 

Your next question might be, who can attend?  That is easy....any PTA member!   Members can pay for themselves to attend or better yet, it is an approved and encouraged expense for local unit and county council budgets.

What can PTA/PTSA's be doing now to get ready...that is another great question!   You can start by reviewing your budgets.  Verify there are funds available to attend.  If funds are available, review your policies and procedures and/or standing rules and apply the process to decide who can attend.   If funds are not available, ask these questions, do we need to make a budget amendment to allot the proper monies to attend?  Do we have the funds available to make a budget amendment? Not sure what to do...no worries, ask us!  We are here to assist you with these questions and more.
 Get Your Reflections Incentives Here!
 Thank you to our Leadership Convention Sponsors!