by Kathy Robinson, Council Membership Chairman

This year's membership theme is "every child. one voice." Our goal for each unit is to increase your membership by 22 members from last year. The membership goal for our council is to increase our membership by 2% from last year. I know that we can achieve this goal. Please join us in promoting PTA membership throughout our community.

PTA is the largest volunteer organization working exclusively to improve the education, health, safety and well being of all children and youth. Through the PTA, parent, teachers, administrators and other work for quality education and a true partnership between home and school.

The National PTA brings together the efforts of members, local units, councils and state PTA's on child centered issues. PTA has played an important roll in many areas including the following: Child Labor Laws, Family & Medical Leave Act, Children's Television Act to improve TV programs for children, Hot Lunch Programs in schools, National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs.

Your involvement, whether at home, at school or in your community, makes the difference. Everyone who cares about children is encouraged to join PTA. Your PTA leaders should by their example, provide a model of inclusiveness which will help establish and nurture a climate throughout the association that demonstrates a genuine regard for diversity of all kinds and reflects the richness of our society.

Membership Themes:

Start your membership drive off with a catchy theme. Prepare a bulletin board display where students, parents and teacher can visually see your membership goals accomplished. Some themes are:

• Batter Up!-Encouraged all to participate and work as a team
• Blast Into The Future with PTA: Space theme used with rockets
• Fly Your Way Into PTA: A Kite theme
• Get Hooked on PTA: Incorporate an undersea motif
• Here's the Scoop: Ice cream was the key to this theme
• Chip In & Support PTA: A chocolate chip cookie theme
• Because We Care: Hearts were used throughout the campaign

Accurate record keeping is important in tracking the number of members of your PTA. You must send $ 3.35 (until 3/31/02) for each member who joins your PTA. It can be confusing if your unit has a family membership. Please call me with any questions or need for clarification.

Important Due Dates:

Early Bird Award (15 members min.)	Council Meeting - 10/18/01
Chairman's Club (50 Members+)	Council Meeting - 10/18/01
1st Membership Remittance (15 Members)	Council Meeting - 11/15/01
2nd Membership Remittance	Council Meeting - 1/17/02
Final Membership Remittance	Council Meeting - 2/28/02

In order to be eligible for a California State PTA Creative Membership Award, all units must meet the membership deadlines.

Always remember the PTA Mission Statement when you are planning programs, parent nights and fund-raising events!

The Mission of the California State PTA is to represent our members and to empower and support them with skills in advocacy, leadership, and communication to positively impact the lives of all children.

AUDITS DUE NOW!

Attention Presidents and Auditors: As specified in your bylaws all units must have a complete financial audit conducted on a semi-annual basis. Since our fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, that means all units should have their audits completed prior to the first board meeting which most of you have in August.

For new Presidents or Auditors, the PTA publication, "PTA Financial Procedures Made Easier," has worksheets for the Auditor which spell out the audit procedure step by step. If you do not have this it is available from the California State PTA.

The final completed audit must be adopted by your Association at a unit meeting, by way of a motion, and the adoption date must be indicated on the audit.

Please submit two (2) copies of your "adopted" unit audit by bringing to the council meeting on September 20 or mailing by September 30, 2001 to: Dolores Winchell, 21522 Via Del Angel, Lake Forest, CA 92630.

Dolores Winchell, Auditor

By now the audit should have been completed and the treasurer has had some time to become familiar with the financial reports. The REGISTER (a financial report itself) is the source of information for the FINANCIAL REPORTS presented at the first meeting: the Proposed Budget and the Monthly Treasurer's Report.

The PROPOSED BUDGET is a statement of estimated receipts and estimated disbursements. It is a tool for the board to use for their decision making process. The Proposed Budget must show expected gross income and expected gross disbursements. As plans develop during the year, it may become necessary to amend the Budget. The treasurer may make a motion to amend the budget at any association meeting.After the first meeting the Proposed Budget is simply renamed the Budget Report.

The MONTHLY TREASURER'S REPORT is the official statement of the unit officers reporting the financial state of the unit to the membership. The treasurer includes in each report the total balance on hand at the beginning of the period covered by the report, receipts and disbursements, and the total balance on hand as of the date of the report. At the first meeting you may decide to present two Treasurer's reports—one reporting from the last association meeting in June through June 30, 2001; and the other, reporting from July 1, 2001.

On September 20, 2001, OCDE will co-host the Orange County Substance Abuse Prevention Network's Annual Showcase of Community Resources. This event is attended by school personnel, community organizations, parents, students and others in the field of prevention and youth development interested in finding out what resources are available to families and schools in Orange County. OCDE will again have an exhibit table representing Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL), Friday Night Live/Club Live (FNL/CL), Youth Development Framework (YDF), Drug, Alcohol Tobacco Prevention (DATE), and a separate table for OCDE's America's Promise. The Showcase will take place at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

This year's event will have a live performance by Susie Vanderlip, Legacy of Hope, and an exciting panel of youth involved in prevention, intervention and recovery.

We close with a "Pledge to be An Asset Builder" with a special gift for each participant.

The cost is $5 in advance and $15 at the door, and includes a directory of all participating agencies (usually 40 organizations are represented) and a wonderful box lunch from Meyernof's.

Contact Yvonne Gladle (714-327-1062), Debbie Stout (714-327-1076), or Linda Kearns (714-327-1061) for a flyer for the event. Anyone wanting to exhibit that day should contact our committee chair, Mike Darnold at (949) 493-7475.

Hope to see you there.

From the SVUSD Online Newsletter:

• Over summer, personnel processes over 1,528 employment applications, completing the hiring of as many as 97 teachers plus support staff in time for school to open in the fall.
• Summer Committees worked with staff to train teachers in the presentation of new curriculum and materials for the California State Standards, being implemented statewide in the fall.
• Mira Monte Independent High School and Silverado Continuation High School are undergoing a major reconstruction of their campus, replacing two single-story modules with a new two-story one, and improving parking capacity.

Dr. Jerry C. Gross was unanimously selected by the Board of Education for Superintendent of our District. The selection culminates a six-month process which began with clear objectives developed from the vital input of parents, staff and community members, who helped to generate detailed criteria used in the national search. Dr. Gross' experience, education and enthusiasm placed him as the Board's preferred candidate. Following a visit to Dr. Gross' former school district, the Board reached its final decision and formally appointed Dr. Gross at the special Board Meeting on August 2. The Board of Education is confident that Dr. Gross will be a tremendous asset to our award winning district; his personable style and depth of experience will provide the inspired leadership needed to take our schools to the next level of excellence. His strategic planning abilities and financial acumen are valued strengths in a time when public education funding has become more complex and monies more scarce.

For more information, go to http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/district/superintendent.html on the Internet.