Morley PTO

Minutes of the Board Meeting of May 25, 2005

Present:

Stacy Raney, Michalee Merritt, Jenny Travers, Michele Paul, Ruth Lawlor, Sharon McHale, Peggy Mantz, Lisa Sandstrom, Kris Monnes, Ellen Rosow-Stokoe, Sharon LaPointe, Michael LaPointe, Kim Jackson

1.   Sharon LaPointe called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

2.   Review of Parent Survey

Sharon received 58 completed parent surveys.  The general feedback was favorable, with community service activities being especially well received.  83% of those responding were PTO members and 83% are on the e-mail list. 

3.   Treasurer’s Report

Sharon McHale presented a proposed budget for the 2005-2006 school year.  Most line items were kept consistent with the current year budget.  Although the PTO has a plentiful cash balance, the budget shows us operating at an approximate $5,000 loss.  This prompted a discussion regarding how to decrease the loss, which led into the Fundraiser discussion.

4.   Fundraising

Ruth Lawlor reported on a new fundraising program, the Scrip Program, which involves parents purchasing pre-paid “gift cards” to area grocery stores and other retail establishments.  The card can be used at full value at the store after purchase.  Each time a Scrip card is purchased, the school receives a percentage of the card amount in cash.  Judging from the successful Scrip programs running at other local schools, the Board decided that we would start this program at Morley next year, with a conservative budget of $2,000 in fundraiser income.   A volunteer will be recruited to chair this committee, which will fall as a subcommittee under the Treasurer.  The optimal size of the Scrip committee would be 3-5 people. 

Along with Scrip, the other major fundraisers for next year will be Sally Foster Snacks and Wraps, and the Family Picnic.  Categorizing the $1,000 in picnic revenue as fundraising income, along with the $2,000 budgeted income from Scrip, will bring the operating budget loss down to approximately $2,000. 

The t-shirt sale/fundraiser will be postponed until the fall. 

Two other fundraising ideas were discussed for next year.  Independent Coffee Roasters will produce coffee labeled with the school’s name, which can be sold at a 50% profit.  Original Art, previewed by Sharon LaPointe at a PTO conference, reproduces children’s artwork onto various items (shirts, bags, placemats, etc.)  The Fundraising Committee will consider both for next year. 

5.   Programming

Lisa Sandstrom and Kris Monnes reported that there would be an Ice Cream Social on Thursday June 16, during the school day.  The tentative plan for Programming activities next year is as follows:  September, Pet Parade; October, Pumpkin Night; November, 50’s Sock Hop Dance; January, Talent Show; February, Bingo Night; March, Spring Dance.

6.   Volunteers

Jenny Travers and Michalee Merritt will be recruiting volunteers again.  New volunteer needs will be the Scrip Committee (chair and committee members), and one committee chair to lead the “Other Annual Events” category of Holiday Lights, Wolf Pack game, and Rock Cats game. 

7.   Bylaws

Sharon LaPointe suggested a change to the bylaws.   Her proposal was to hold one business meeting every other month (versus one every month).  The Board voted and passed the motion. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Stacy Raney

Secretary