Somers High School
PTSA
General Membership Meeting
October 18, 2007
Members Present: Laura Braica, Jen Jeffers, Rob Kapner, Nora Kopec,
JJ Wassmuth
I.
Meeting called to order: 7:09 p.m. by Laura
Braica.
II.
Previous Meeting Minutes:
Anyone
who had not received a copy of last month’s minutes took a moment to look over
Laura’s hard copy. It was noted that the
count of 159 members in the minutes should be changed to 59. Otherwise, a motion was made to accept
September’s minutes; unanimously approved.
Jen Jeffers asked if minutes are normally posted on-line. She was told that they were to be posted on
the SomersNow website and that it would be checked into.
III.
Correspondence
JJ
Wassmuth has corresponded with the IRS regarding their recent letter. Laura read her email in response which noted
the requirement of the completion of a 990N form.
The
correspondence with class officers regarding their use of the $250 PTSA funds
was also discussed. Currently, the only
response was from the Class of 2011, who requested that the money be used to
fix up the taco booth, for senior activities, and for a class gift. Since most of PTSA’s funds are already for
senior needs, it was decided that the freshmen should be given the $250 for
this year toward work on the taco booth.
Because we received no response from the other classes, other options
were discussed. Rob Kapner suggested
that the $250 be put into each class account to be used by students who may not
be able to afford to pay for some of the activities. The other members responded favorably. Possibly this information could be
communicated through the student council officers.
IV.
Treasurer’s Report:
JJ
Wassmuth distributed the Treasurer’s report; unanimously accepted. JJ also reported that a check for insurance
and membership (updated total of 70 members) would be sent out the next day.
It
was also noted that the boat company in
V.
President’s Report:
Laura
asked board members to draw up a time line / task list to help keep on top of
deadlines which would also be helpful for next year’s board.
VI.
Principal’s Report:
Rob
Kapner reported that the first dance which would be on 10/26, would include the
first use of breathalyzers. It was
discussed that class advisors and faculty generally chaperone the dances, not
parents.
The
Pops Concert is coming up as well. It
will be held on 11/1 and 11/2.
It
is planned that Gary Cotzin will present CAPT scores at the upcoming BOE
meeting.
This
week was ALLY week. The purpose was to
promote tolerance among the students.
To
promote yearbooks, a balloon raffle is planned where one balloon will contain a
certificate for a free yearbook.
The
SAT prep. course is underway in week 5.
It
was also discussed that senior privileges (late arrival / early dismissal) are
tied to grades. Students must maintain a
minimum of a C- average with no more than one F.
VII.
Board Members’ Reports:
Ø
Membership – Nora Kopec
Nora
reported that the membership is now 70, up from 59 last month. Additional
membership checks were given to JJ. An
updated list was emailed to board members.
All
members have been inputted using OMDR, the CT PTA reporting website. They have assigned everyone an ID number
which you can get from Nora if you would like to visit the website and access
the information.
Nora
is also in the process of extracting that information to print membership cards
directly (a template is available through this website also) rather than
handwriting each card individually. She
plans to organize the printed cards by student name and grade. The cards can then be passed out possibly by
some of our board members’ high school student “volunteers.”
Ways
to boost membership were discussed. Rob
Kapner suggested that it should be acceptable to place membership forms in
teachers’ mailboxes inviting them to join with a notation such as “Faculty
Welcome” on the form. It was also
discussed that forms should probably be mailed with report cards in
January.
Before
the January report card mailing, it was agreed that the form needed to be
revamped to include more information such as what the PTSA does and where the
money goes. Possibly the form could give
parents the opportunity to make a donation without having to join and therefore
feel obligated to attend meetings or plan events. Nora volunteered to contact members who
indicated they would be willing to help in the area of membership. These members could get together to
brainstorm regarding a new format for the membership form. Two new forms could be created – one for
parents and one for faculty.
Ø
Safe Grad – Carol Winter
Laura
reported that Carol Winter is looking for a co-chair before moving forward with
plans for Safe Grad.
Ø
Scholarship – Laura Stark
No
report.
Ø
Staff Appreciation – Kathy Brewer
No
report.
Ø
Parent Directory – Kathy Brewer and Jean Mandirola
Rob
Kapner asked how we collect our information.
He was told that we handle it independently and will generate a list to
be emailed to members. Forms are still
trickling in.
Ø
By-Law Review – committee still pending
It
was recommended that each year by-laws be reviewed and that a committee should
be brought together for this purpose.
Ø
Fundraising
v
Shopping
We
plan to use admission tickets for a door prize as well as sell raffle tickets
during the event for a tea cup auction of items donated by the vendors.
The
fundraising amount from vendors was discussed.
Most vendors have a predetermined percentage which averages between 15
and 20 percent. Some crafters prefer
paying a table fee. So far, there are 12
vendors with about 6 more pending. Ads
will be placed in newspapers along with flyers (a table will be present at the
Pops Concert). We will also look into
flyers to be brought to the elementary and middle schools.
v
Fruit
The
fruit sale started today 10/18.
Purchasers may choose from crates of oranges, red grapefruits,
orange/grapefruit combo, or clementines.
Posters will go up with Laura’s and Nora’s phone numbers for
ordering. They each have a supply of
order forms with them. The ordering
deadline is 11/25. The delivery date is
set for 12/14 with distribution at the police station on 12/15.
v
Clean Comedian (Jean)
No
report.
v
Mohegan Sun bus trip 1/26 (Carol
& Diane)
No
report.
v
Variety Show concession sales
No
report – spring fundraiser.
v
Mother’s Day Plant sale
No
report – spring fundraiser.
v
Diploma sale
No
report – spring fundraiser.
VIII.
Old Business:
It
was discussed that cookie dough sales would go forward; however, no pie sales.
IX.
New Business:
It
is planned that Kathy Brewer will contact Matthew Kopec (CPA) to handle
reconciliation of PTSA books in November.
The
idea of selling Somers Spartan T-Shirts was discussed as a possible new fundraiser. The idea was received favorably by all
members. Prices would probably be set at
$10 for short-sleeved tees and $15 for long-sleeved tees. This would provide us with at least a 50%
profit. The fundraiser could be held
twice a year (fall and spring). We
discussed whether tees should be ordered ahead (60 minimum count required) and
sold at lunches or school events, or if individual order forms should be filled
out, ordered, and then distributed. The
general consensus seemed to favor ordering ahead.
X.
Other Discussions:
Nora
Kopec plans to input all member email addresses into one group in order to make
mass emailings easier.
XI.
Meeting Adjourned:
The
motion to adjourn was made by Laura Braica at 8:48 p.m.; seconded by JJ
Wassmuth. Unanimously approved.
Respectfully
submitted by Nora Kopec (for Amanda Vesce)