Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm sure you've read that hundreds of times on all of the newsletters, flyers, emails ads, etc. that you are receiving from schools and local businesses.  It's definitely the time of year that folks are inspired to evaluate and appreciate their "haves" and "blessings".  We're asked to look around and calculate the valuable things in our lives.  To be honest with you, this has always been my favorite season.  I look forward to the fall foliage, cooking a huge meal (and trying to get an approving nod from my mama) and watching football between naps. 

This year, I've been thinking a great deal about those families that we have been seeking to serve. Those whose list of "haves" and "blessings" may be a little shorter than our own.  They are heavy on my mind.  Sometimes it's those that have lost their homes in recent storms.  Sometimes it's those who have lost loved ones to recent violent tragedies.  Other times, it's those children who are coping with situations that no child, or even an adult, should ever have to experience.

I had someone tell me a few weeks ago how much they appreciated the work that we are doing to provide much needed resources to families in our communities.  They actually called our work valuable.  Looking up the definition, I found:  Valuable (adjective) A thing of great worth. Priceless. Precious.

So, I wonder.  This Thanksgiving, as many families are gathered around their tables, preparing to eat delicious meals made with love (and hopefully an approving nod from their mothers), I wonder if someone, who we may not even know, will give thanks for us. For me.  For you.  Have we been a blessing to someone?  Have we made such an impact on a family that they count us as a valuable thing in their lives?  Will there be someone somewhere who has a "haves" on their list because of your work? I hope for that, more than anything.  To have given more than I received, to have made a difference anytime I had an opportunity, and to have been a part of making someone's life better because I cared.

I know this for certain. I am so thankful for you.  You have made a difference in my life.  You have inspired me when I doubted, pushed me when I tired, hugged me when I needed encouragement and fought by my side when I faced opposition.

You are valuable to me.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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! This past month I was watching my daughter take her senior portraits and prepare her college essays for her college applications and I was like wait....how did I get here and where did my babies go??? It did not really hit me until this month that I will soon have four high school graduates!  After watching our four children slowly but seemingly very quickly become adults, I was reminded of how blessed and thankful I am.  I am thankful for my family and friends and consider myself honored to be amongst the best leaders in the state for the largest child advocacy volunteer group in the nation!  With that being said, we always want the best outcome for any projects we are working on, but remember family should always come first.  If you cannot do something, it is OKAY to ask for help or to delegate a task and not feel bad about it.  Delegating is actually a true testament to a good leader.  As a team we should always support and be there each other.  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 "They know their team and themselves well":

Good leaders want their entire company to succeed, including everyone involved. They take the time to understand every worker so they can help them achieve their personal goals in line with the company's.   "A leader places the people around him or her in a position that sets them up for success," said Andor Kovacs, CEO and founder of property restoration brand  Restoration 1 . "This is a difficult task, because a leader must have an in-depth understanding of each individual, such as understanding their career goals and knowing what motivates them. By being committed to helping each person achieve their own personal goals, the leader sets the organization up for greatness."

This translates to providing tools that workers need to succeed, offering praise when things go right and taking responsibility when things go wrong, said Jordan French, founding CMO of  BeeHex, Inc. 3D Food Printing.

Learning and growing,

Jen Martinez

VP of Leadership

Leadership Learning Moment #1: Be inclusive, be a team, and increase membership! For more Leadership Learning Moments, visit our YouTube channel!

Growing your PTA

Did you know that PTA does more than fundraising and mom's social hour? That is right! What separates PTA from other childrens' organizations is Advocacy! While relationships may form during raising funds for items that benefit the well-being of our children, joining PTA adds another voice when we are advocating on many levels! This is one of many reasons to join us today!

**Voices needed to reach our membership goal:  116,000 additional members**

Q: Need more membership cards because everyone wants to be part of an organization that advocates for all children?

A: You can complete the on-line request form. It's located on our website at www.floridapta.org on the upper right hand corner.  

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

For the full article, please click here.