Florida PTA     1747 Orlando Central Parkway     Orlando, Florida     32809     407-855-7604     800-373-5782
*Please share this publication with your members*

FALL IS HERE!  Just kidding.  I think fall is hiding somewhere until hurricane season ends.  I mean, wouldn't you? 

This has definitely been an unpredictable year, both locally and nationally. It seems that every day we could potentially open our social media, turn on our televisions or open the newspaper and find something that is shocking, or sad, or irritating, or even frightening.  Just when we feel like things have become smooth or, dare I say easy, it only takes one thing to set us back on our heels.  How we process these challenges matters.  Are you a venter?  Do you take to the internet or the car line and let your feelings flow?  Are you a worrier?  Do you nail bite and find yourself waiting for the other shoe to drop?  Are you a planner?  Do you make lists and check them twice, hoping that being proactive will help regain a measure of control?  Are you an avoider?  Do you find yourself dismissing yourself from conversations and focusing on anything except the topic at hand?  Maybe you're like me, and a little of each of these depending the time and circumstance.

Whatever category you find yourself in, remember that our children are always watching.  Many of the ways we handle trauma and crisis will imprint themselves on their hearts and minds.  We set a pretty strong example of processing for our children.  I wish that when my children were little, I had taken more time to have deeper, more meaningful conversations with them about current events, or unpredictable weather, or grief.  I could've asked them to share their thoughts and in turn shared mine in a way that could help them express all of those feelings they may not even have recognized as fear, or anxiety or sadness.  Of course, my kids are grown now and have families of their own, but those discussions should still take place even now.  It's never too late to allow those close to you to get even closer by talking about our challenges and expectations.  If we don't allow each other and especially our children to talk about feelings, we could end up being more desensitized to "breaking news" than we already are.  In our ever-changing and dramatic society, we often find less and less peace.  While many of us grew up in a world with much less technology, our kids are bombarded with constant communication.  One would think that this could be beneficial in learning to process information, but in reality, because the stream of media never ceases, we barely have time to chew and absorb data before we're being given another spoonful of refreshed news.  For me and most adults, it can become as heavy as a wool blanket.  Imagine what it is like for our children who have less coping experience to draw upon.

So, let's commit to helping each other do a better job of talking about our feelings, of sharing our anxieties and of setting a great example for our children.  I've always heard that while joys are doubled when you share them, burdens are cut in half when you do the same.

Now, I'm going to stop typing and call my kids...

Cindy Gerhardt
President
 State Summit - November 4, 2017




Please join us for our ALL Children Are OUR Children State Summit!  

Registration is FREE.
Breakfast is provided.
Lunch from Jason's Deli can be pre-ordered for $10.


 Save The Date!  
2018 Leadership Convention - July 12-15
Innisbrook Resort

 Leadership 
Happy October! As we head into our busiest time for our families, we hope that you take the time you need to relax, recharge and stay energized all while keeping your PTA engaged! With that being said, we always want the best outcome for any projects we are working on, remember family should always come first.  It is OKAY to have to say NO when necessary...wait what...NO?  We know PTA takes quite a bit of time and managing time can become a challenge.  Remember to DELEGATE and share responsibilities.  Delegation is a key component of building leaders and a great example of true leadership.  Shared knowledge will help us all grow and be successful.  Feel free to reach out to us for support whenever you need us, we are HERE FOR YOU!          
 
This month's Leadership topic will be "Leaders better their environment":
Leaders do not exist to order their workers around. While they oversee their team, a true leader takes initiative and trusts their employees to perform efficiently and independently.
 
"Leaders are coaches with a passion for developing people, not players," said Randy Stocklin, co-founder and CEO of One Click Ventures. "They get satisfaction from achieving objects through others. Leaders inspire people through a shared vision and create an environment where people feel valued and fulfilled."
 
When a company has a positive culture, employees are more motivated and confident in their work. It's through supportive leaders that a company finds the most success. According to Richard Kissane, executive chairman of Premium Franchise Brands, leaders are responsible for setting the tone for their team and organization.
 
"As a leader, it is your responsibility to establish goals, innovate, motivate and trust," he said. "A passionate and compassionate leader can energize a company."
 
Learning and growing,
Jen Martinez
VP of Leadership
Diversity & Inclusion

Why We Should Care About Children of Inmates

Over the last 18 months, I have been forced by circumstances to live the life of the wife of an inmate in the Florida Department of Correction's custody.  A stupid, colossal, tragic mistake landed my usually law-abiding 58-year-old husband in prison.  It has been a huge adjustment to my life and to the lives of my children.  Since October of 2016, I have been driving to north Florida to visit my husband.  It was a surprise that he was incarcerated so very far from home. At the time, it was a 6.5 hour drive one way to see him.  On those long drives, I thought about how glad I was and am that our children are adults launched into their careers or finishing college.  But I wondered how other families cope.


 Call For Resolutions
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Do You Want to Help Shape the Future of Florida's Youth?  With RESOLUTIONS You Can!
 
Resolutions are an important way for local PTA units and councils to shape the work of the PTA.  The passage of a resolution at the Florida PTA Leadership Convention directs the state Board of Directors, Councils, and local units in areas of advocacy, legislative priority, and program development.
 
Do you have an issue that really concerns you and other members of your local unit/council?
 
Do you want to bring your concern to the attention of other PTA members in Florida?
 
Then get started NOW and have your resolution presented for consideration at the annual Florida PTA Leadership Convention in July. Only thoughts and ideas for possible resolutions are needed now. Your Florida PTA Resolutions Committee will help you through the rest!
 
FIRST DRAFTS OF RESOLUTIONS ARE DUE BY NOVEMBER 1st! To request a copy of the Florida PTA Resolutions Procedure Guide, email the Florida PTA Resolutions Committee at resolutions@floridapta.org or check the Resolutions page on the Florida PTA website.  
Student Involvement
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Hello from Student Involvement! We are pleased to announce that your Student Involvement Committee is still hard at work to get more students involved. One of our goals this year is to see an increase in student involvement. We are using our social media campaign through Twitter, Instagram and SnapChat (flptasi) so check us out and follow us. We are also working with county councils to see what the students would like to see at Leadership Convention to get those students to attend!  The committee has its sights set on a "Planning For College Fair" this year during Leadership Convention. Look for more information to come!

Stay tuned to new and interesting things coming from Student Involvement. Remember this committee wants to see what you are doing in your local units. So please post on social media or email us at student.involvment@floridapta.com and let us toot your horn. We want to see ALL the amazing things students are doing! 

Reflections 2017 - Within Reach


Visit our website for all the forms and rules needed to run a successful Reflections art program this year!  

Don't forget all the great Reflections awards, pins, ribbons, and certificates!  Visit the ShopPTA website to see what is available.  


Children's Week - Hanging of the Hands
Hanging of the Hands is a part of Children's Week where tens of thousands of paper hands created by children are hung in the Capitol Rotunda in Tallahassee. 
The hands are a reminder to legislators and advocates that we must take care of our most precious commodity - OUR CHILDREN!!!
 
We are asking ALL of our LOCAL PTA UNITS to participate in this exciting project by having the children in your community create Hand Art and send it in to us.

IT'S THIS EASY:
Create a small artwork station in your schools, libraries, or other community areas where children can trace, cut out, and color Hand Art. Then you (or a volunteer) string them up and send them in.

For more information, download our flyerOr email Renee Huggins, Florida PTA Family & Community Engagement Chair, at   family.community@floridapta.org.
 Thank you to our Leadership Convention Sponsors!






 Get Your Spirit On!