The CMS PTA Executive Board is comprised of elected officers and committee chairpersons.  The primary roles and responsibilities of the 8 elected officers are outlined below.  The incoming president will make decisions on the incoming committee chairpersons.  Elected officers and Standing Committee Chairpersons vote at monthly Executive Board Meetings, generally convened on the second Wednesday of each month during the school year at CMS.

EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

President – Leads the PTA by working with members, other officers, committee chairs and school administration.  Retains ultimate responsibility for the decisions of the PTA.  Duties include: presides at meetings and sets agendas; appoints committee chairs with approval of Executive Board; serves as primary PTA contact for school administration; maintains master calendar of PTA events (fundraisers, PTA-sponsored activities); welcomes parents at Back-to-School Night; retains signature authority on PTA account.

1^st Vice President – Works side by side to assist the President; presides at meetings in the absence of the President; coordinates First Day Welcome folders; performs Committee Chair oversight; tracks action items for President; plans PTA volunteer appreciation at the end of the year; solicits volunteers to contribute pies for the teachers during conference week; retains signature authority on PTA account; may be grooming position for next President (optional).

2^nd Vice President – Assists the President and assumes responsibility for duties assigned by the President; coordinates Giant Bonus Bucks program; chairs Nominating Committee; retains signature authority on PTA account; may be grooming position for 1^st Vice President (optional).

Treasurer – Keeps an accurate and detailed account of all money received and paid out (currently managed in Quickbooks); signature authority to make deposits and pay bills by check with 2 signatures; drafts proposed budget for review by Executive Board and approval by general membership; verifies appropriateness of claims to issue reimbursements; submits written budget report at monthly meetings; coordinates cash box w/Front Office for activities; keeps record of membership dues and committee income/expenditures; pays money owed to local, state and national PTAs and state or federal taxes.  Note:  tax filings prepared by independent outside CPA.

Recording Secretary – Maintains accurate record of PTA memberships; records attendance and all business transacted at each meeting; presents the minutes for approval; has on hand for reference at each meeting a copy of the local PTA bylaws and standing rules, and the agenda and minutes of past meetings; acts as a custodian of records.

Corresponding Secretary – Conducts the correspondence of the PTA such as letters, thank you notes.  Coordinates PTA purchases of appropriate gifts as requested by Executive Board for retirements, engagements, new babies, sympathy as need arises.  Coordinates dates with neighboring and feeder schools (CES, PRES, RHHS, AHS and St. Louis) for major events such as Back-to-School Fall Picnic, 8^th Grade Farewell, socials, PTA general meetings.

Delegates to the PTA Council of Howard County – CMS elects 2 delegates to serve as CMS representative at PTACHC; attend monthly meetings and present report to CMS PTA at monthly meetings.

CAC Delegate – Serves as CMS PTA representative to the Citizens Advisory Council which meets separate from PTAC (PTA Council of HoCo).  CAC meets monthly or every two months in the evenings, but to be more effective, the incumbent recommends that it’s best to work on a committee – all separate committees meet during the days.

COMMITTEE CHAIR POSITIONS

Awards Assessment – Evaluate award programs throughout the year to recognize staff and school-related volunteers; make recommendations to PTA; process applications and supporting documentation.  Educate parents on various awards available for staff.

Band Booster Liaison – Serves as PTA contact with CMS music director regarding all band activities during the school year; communicates key performance dates with PTA.

Blood Drive

Directory – Introduces on-line registration and link to on-line Volunteer registration.  Solicits parental input for the CMS School Directory; develops format and coordinates printing for distribution of the Directory on or before 1^st quarter report cards are distributed.
 

8^th Grade Farewell – Supports the 8^th grade teacher team in planning and organizing supplies and volunteers for CMS’s for the Dance, Picnic, Scavenger Hunt and Breakfast, as well as for the traditional Farewell Program on the last full-day Friday of the school year.  Teachers run these events, with support from the PTA committee.  This committee begins meeting in March with the 8^th grade teacher team.

Family Night/Socials – Organizes Family Fall Picnic to kick-off new school year in September and several social dances/events for students and/or families during the year such as family basketball nights, game nights, etc.

Food on the 15^th
6^th Grade Coordinator:  arranges for 1-2 diabetic speakers (Julie Rosenthal would provide names and contact info).  Take bags to school once a month for Ms. Vinje.  No sorting/bagging required of any coordinator as all of this is done by the students in school.  Sends to school e-newsletter submission.  Can coordinate delivery every other month with 7^th Grade Coordinator.  Sends e-mails to parents monthly reminding them to send in diabetic foods.

7^th Grade Coordinator:  takes bags to school once a month for toiletry collection (Mr. Wright).  Coordinates drivers each month.  There is a high school student willing to coordinate toiletry deliveries for 7^th grade this year and next year. Contacts Ms. Houston at the building monthly to let her know what day deliveries will be made.  Trades off every other month with 6^th Grade Coordinator with deliveries (e.g., actually being there).  Sends e-mails to 7^th Grade parents monthly reminding them to donate toiletries.

Bread Committee - contacts Great Harvest Bread Company, Bloom, etc. monthly and arranges to pick up bread and deliver to PRES/CMS in time for delivery to participants in the Food on the 15^th  Program.

Fundraising/Magazine Drive – Coordinates CMS’s primary fundraiser for the annual magazine drive in September/October. 

Green Team - This newly-formed team supports the education of CMS staff, students and parents concerning environmental issues.  It also encourages and supports the CMS community to take better care of the environment by hosting projects such as environmental “clean up” and beautification days as well as planting native plants that are sustainable through droughts.  The group encourages recycling and provides environmental facts in the PTA newsletter.  The Green Team is always open to new ideas and hopes that if you have a love of the environment or just want to lend a helping hand, whether you have an hour a month, or an hour a week that you will consider joining this exciting new group.

Hospitality - This committee is all about food. We provide the staff with a back-to-school breakfast, two dinners during conference time, a retirement breakfast, and snacks for other events when requested. An extensive notebook has been passed on from committee to committee with notes and information from previous years. One planning meeting is required at the beginning of the school year, and then email communication is sufficient.  The committee works best with three people, and, at least, two people are need at the events to set up, serve and clean up. Food donations are often requested; however, with such an active PTA, and large email list, it is no problem getting more than enough volunteers.

Landscaping – In years past the committee has arranged Extreme Makeover Days for volunteers to work on landscaping projects for the school grounds (planting seasonal flowers, mulch, etc.)

Membership Drive – Coordinate the PTA membership drive to advertise, collect payment, issue cards and ensure that CMS is registered with local and national PTA associations at the beginning of the school year.

Newsletter - Reports to the CMS PTA President and is primarily responsible for collecting CMS Newsletter submission requests.  Newsletter submission requests are received from various PTA committee members only pertaining to PTA information.  This would include, but not limited to, PTA school events, reminders, updates, important dates and informational tips.  The Newsletter PTA Committee member gathers all requests, reviews them for proper spelling & punctuation and submits them in a single email to the CMS front office to be included in the weekly CMS Newsletter.  The position is typically termed for one school year.  Qualifications include basic computer knowledge with emphasis on e-mail.

Parent Seminars – Solicit speakers, schedule meeting space, advertise seminars and host approximately 2 seminars during the year.

Reflections – Organizes the PTA Reflections program for recognition and achievement in the arts.  Students compete at the local, county, state and national level in the categories of literature, photography, musical composition, dance and visual arts on a pre-selected theme.

Spring Family Dinner – Plans family social for a dinner catered by a local restaurant to promote family participation in the school community.  Dinner is scheduled on Thursday night in cafeteria during the Book Fair in March to encourage families to visit the Book Fair together.

Spirit Wear – Organizes selection and sale of CMS Comet t-shirts, sweatshirts and other school related items throughout the year.  Orders stock in August to sell at key events such as Back-to-School Family Night, Spring Dinner, and Incoming 6^th Grade Parent Orientation Night. This is not a fundraiser, so there is no pressure involved! Spirit wear items are chosen, ordered and delivered before Thanksgiving which makes it a great job for someone who does not want to commit to the entire year. “A fun committee to work on with a friend."

Staff Adoption - Organizes Staff Adoption Program by soliciting host families to “adopt” a staff member to secretly surprise with 6-8 gifts throughout the school year.  Solicits/matches host families through online volunteer registration in welcome back packet; sends timely reminders to families at key gift-giving times (for example, Valentines Day); organizes lunch in May during Staff Appreciation Week to reveal identity of each host student to the staff member. 

Staff Appreciation –Organizes events during Staff Appreciation Week in May.  Coordinates volunteer schedule through online registration for monthly Staff Lounge decorations.

Volunteer Coordinator – Works with Directory Chair to introduce on-line registration to solicit volunteers for different events at the school such as student socials, spring dinner, etc.

Website Coordinator – Inputs and maintains timely notices for the PTA .