February might be the shortest month of the year, but it's chock-full of beloved national holidays, special events and commemorations. Florida PTA, too, is all abuzz as we move into high gear with planning, programs and celebrations for spring and summer! We encourage you to take full advantage of all the training and advocacy opportunities available. Our Founder’s Day (February 17) is an especially great opportunity to reflect on and highlight all that PTA has accomplished and all that PTA offers. 

Here’s just a sample of February happenings!

From the Heart

Think about the leaders you respect and admire. Chances are they distinguished themselves because they led with and from the heart. A heart-led leader serves others and epitomizes servant leadership. Three such leaders are Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Selena Sloan Butler, the founders of PTA, who have inspired generations of parents, teachers, and community members to work together to better the lives of every child in education, health and safety.

“Our founders represented women of imagination and courage. They had a simple idea—to improve the lives and future of all children. They understood the power of individual action, worked beyond the accepted barriers of their day, and took action to change the world for all children.” National PTA

Founder’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on and take pride in our achievements, and renew our commitment to make every child’s potential a reality.  I want to thank all our PTA members and leaders at the state, Council and local levels for giving so much of your time and talents…and your heart!

  

I would love to hear how you have commemorated this special day and please continue to share your special “Mission Moments” pictures and video clips so that we can celebrate with you.

  

With warmest regards from the bottom of my heart,

Linda Kearschner

President, Florida PTA

Greetings. As we slip into the second month of the year, I find myself needing to do more than the clock, calendar, and at times my  ♥ , can handle. What about you? If you’re like most PTA volunteers, you always say yes, ignoring your personal capacity because. . . well it needs to get done. This month I invite you to be intentional when you consider what you as a leader need in order to thrive. The most important thing that you can do for yourself, your family, and your peace of mind, is to schedule your day, ensuring that you include enough time for loved ones and for you to rest and regroup. As a perpetual hoarder of planners and date books, I know that this is often easier said than done. But, plan we must. Even though it is still cold (cold is indeed relative) in many parts of the Sunshine State, we must turn our attention to the tasks which ensure our local units and county councils are moving forward, such as planning for annual meetings (elections), electing nominating committees, appointing audit committees and ensuring that we have included the 2019 Leadership Convention on our calendars and in our budgets.

Leadership Convention is fast approaching, and we want to ensure that you’re there to receive the best training that PTA has to offer. We’ll gather at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort, July 18 – 21, 2019 with new workshops, additional opportunities for networking, and so much more. Busque talleres adicionales y otras oportunidades que se ofrecen en español, ya que realmente abrazamos a todos los niños, son nuestros niños. Be prepared when registration opens to claim your spot among leaders who recognize that life-long learning is critical to success.

 

I invite you to check out this month’s Leadership Spotlight and the opportunity to claim one of the few remaining spots on the Individual Leadership Portfolio Enterprise (ILPE) team elsewhere in the newsletter. Always keep in mind that your leadership growth and development rests within you. Remember to make today matter.

Carolyn Nelson-Goedert

Vice President for Leadership Development

#FLPTACultivatingLeaders 

We're shining the February Leadership Spotlight on National PTA's Executive Director Nathan Monel. While Nathan is a man of few words, one of his recommendations for aspiring leaders speaks to a new venture being launched this month by the Leadership Development Commission. You'll have to read both articles to make the connection. Remember you own your growth and development, but we're here to help. Happy Valentine's ♥ Day!

Carolyn Nelson-Goedert

Florida PTA VP for Leadership Development

#FPTACultivatingLeaders

Name: Nathan Monel

What is your current role with PTA? National PTA Executive Director

What was your first PTA volunteer position? Kitchen volunteer for holiday dinner

What was the most challenging obstacle that you encountered on the path to your current role? My path switched from volunteer to staff. I think the only volunteer challenge I have had has been getting people to let go and have others do their part. For the most part there were few barriers.

Click here to continue reading about Nathan's PTA journey...

This month kicked off the Leadership Development Commission’s  Individual Leadership Portfolio Enterprise (ILPE). The ILPE is designed to support motivated leaders who are interested in increasing their personal and professional growth and development opportunities on a monthly basis.

Each month participants will choose from training options including webinars, Ted Talks, books/articles, and/or case studies to increase their knowledge across a broad spectrum of topics. The generalist approach is recommended in the February  Leadership Spotlight featuring National PTA Executive Director Nathan Monel.

This program is not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for a challenge, there are a few spots remaining. Contact me at  [email protected] for additional information.

Carolyn Nelson-Goedert

VP for Leadership Development

Our Legislative Conference will be held March 24-26.

*Registration fee is just $55*

Click here to register!

Visit our website for agenda details

Our President-Elect, Jen Martinez, with a few words about attending our Legislative Conference.

If you need to make hotel accommodations, please click here for a list of hotels in the area.

Advocacy Tip: Get to Know These Congressional Committees

Woodrow Wilson once said, “...it is not far from the truth to say that Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition, whilst Congress in its committee rooms is Congress at work."  Committees  play an integral part in the function of Congress overall and in the legislative process.

 

For the purposes of our work National PTA, it is important to monitor the work of the following committees:

While votes, speeches and the introduction of bills are important, a fundamental understanding of committees is crucial for any successful advocate. Committee work is where bills are truly shaped and where members of Congress decide whether to allow bills to proceed in the legislative process. Don’t forget about committees as you begin to shape your advocacy strategy for the 116th Congress.

"Why Advocate?"

Our Florida PTA members will tell you why THEY advocate...

"Why Resolutions?"

Hear from many of the members of our Board of Directors and Committee members as to why we need Resolutions!

Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement

Heritage Months

In the United States, cultural celebrations like these matter greatly because they help better explain the stories and histories of each ethnic culture. These cultural celebrations provide the opportunity to recognize the complexities and richness of each cultural identity. It is important to understand and appreciate these stories within the greater American narrative.

Why are heritage months important?

Heritage month celebrations are important in providing the space to teach and learn about cultural history, and also to examine the way in which these cultures are viewed within American discourse. It is important to celebrate cultural heritages and to examine how these groups are continually oppressed and marginalized in society. We should look more closely at how we view groups and subgroups in this country, and what place they have at the table. We must explore the important questions: How are we learning about heritage and culture? How do we interact with people that have different heritages and cultures from our own?



As the demographics of the United States shifts, it is important to frame the way we understand “American” identity. Hispanic/Latino Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans all shape American identity and collectively make up American history. While there are designated heritage month celebrations, our hope is to continue to acknowledge the contributions made by all groups of people in the United States throughout the year, not just during the heritage month celebrations.

Source:   Lewis and Clark College

Resources for learning more about Black History:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black History Facts

​

20 pertinent classroom resources for Black History Month

Please listen as our VP for Leadership Development, Carolyn Nelson-Goedert, gives some insight into why you would benefit from attending our Leadership Convention in July.

Registration will be open at the beginning of March. Please note the following registration fees offered this year:

Member: $85 Early Bird/$105 after July 1st. On-site registration for members: $125.

Non-member: $150 Early Bird/$175 after July 1st/On-site registration for non-members: $200.

Students: $50 early/late/on-site registration.

Register today by visiting this link: https://surveymonkey.com/r/ATN2019