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The new academic and calendar year marks a fresh start for schools. But new beginnings can be overwhelming for those getting involved in a parent or parent-teacher group. Even disciplined organizers can feel perplexed and uncertain about where to start. It’s hardly surprising with so much to navigate, like school schedules, extracurricular activities, volunteers, newRead more

Picture this scenario: A parent-teacher group works hard to support its school community, but with one critical oversight—the absence of Directors and Officers insurance, or D&O insurance for short. So, why should that matter? It matters because it means there’s no safety net for your volunteers. If there are legal challenges against unintentional wrongful acts,Read more

The back-to-school refresh is a chance to review and improve your money-handling habits. Checking PTA bank statements is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your finances. Even a quick scan can reveal unauthorized or suspicious transactions. Another benefit of PTA financial accountability is it helps identify areas where your groupRead more

In the US, 20,000 individual PTAs advocate for students’ needs. [1] These groups raise funds to support diverse educational programs and create strong communities. If your parent-teacher group is like most, it’s organized and run primarily by parents of students. But do you know the benefits of encouraging teacher participation in your organization? This articleRead more

If you’re not crowdfunding, your PTA, PTO, or booster club could be missing out on big-time fundraising opportunities. Online fundraising is revolutionizing how non-profits raise money for parent-teacher groups. But even the best crowdfunding ideas aren’t a replacement for traditional fundraising campaign efforts. However, it can be an excellent addition to your fundraising toolkit. ThisRead more

Graduating seniors should not have to navigate the challenges of their final year at high school alone. Lists are simple yet proven tools for helping you help your kids prepare for life outside the classroom. Use them to help organize college applications, look for work, take a gap year, or explore other options. Our graduatingRead more

For graduating seniors, saying that final goodbye to classmates and teachers evokes mixed emotions. The right support and advice for graduating seniors helps them prepare for their life’s next great chapter. Hopefully, high school has done its job priming them academically, but students also need help to adapt socially and emotionally to the new challengesRead more

Booster club leaders can show genuine gratitude with volunteer appreciation gifts. But is gift-giving really necessary once someone has committed to supporting your organization? A happy volunteer feels a sense of belonging and contribution. Booster clubs that value their helpers hold onto them for longer and attract new support. And all it takes is aRead more

Collaborative efforts between parent advocates and schools create the best results, parents should seek out ways to make themselves available as a valuable asset to teachers and administrators to increase advocate effectiveness. That’s why parent advocacy works best with a collaborative approach. But how do you strike the ideal balance, and how beneficial is parentRead more

Does your school act on volunteer appreciation ideas to show genuine gratitude for engaged parents who go above and beyond their expectations? If not, it’s time to take a fresh look at volunteer recognition and why it matters. Schools love willing volunteers, and it’s important they know it. But being grateful is only a feeling,Read more