Morris Brandon PTA Committee Descriptions 2014-2015 KEY FINANCIAL/FUNDRAISERS: Auction: (2-3 co-chairs) This committee plans for our Spring of 2015 Auction, a major fundraiser for the Morris Brandon Elementary School Foundation. The three co-chairs are responsible for securing a site, acquisitions for the Silent Auction and communicating to the school and community. They will work closely with the PTA co-chairs and the Treasurer. Bee Fund (Elect): (2 co-chairs) These co-chairs are responsible for designing and executing our Annual Campaign for the Morris Brandon Elementary School Foundation. Our goal is to reach 100% participation of Brandon Families and Faculty members. Other responsibilities include soliciting and tracking donations, receiving funds, coordinating corporate matching gifts process with the Foundation and distributing decals to contributors. Helpful skills including strategic vision, public speaking, writing and fundraising. This committee works from late spring to February. The co-chair elects are responsible for the Patron Party in late January/February of their elect year. Business Partner Liaisons: (3 co-chairs) This committee develops relationships, coordinates donations (in-kind and financial ) and communicates with and develops relationships with our local businesses who support Brandon - our invaluable Business Partners. This committee also coordinates all requests for in-kind donations from Partners. A great deal of this is done on the phone and via email with some in person contact. Corporate Rewards: (2-3 co-chairs) This committee is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with local and national businesses who have programs that will support Brandon through parent participation. Amazon(NEW)/GaNaturalGas/Publix/Box Tops to name a few. This is a very important role and can be done primarily over email with some meetings. Communication skills and goal-oriented are a plus for this position. Jamboree (Elect): (3 co-chairs) This committee organizes, plans and executes our popular Fall Festival which is both a Fundraiser and a Brandon Community event. Chairs coordinate vendors (food, games,rides,etc), manage a budget, market the event and enlist volunteers. Read-A-Thon (Elect): (3 co-chairs) This committee organizes a twelve day school-wide event. It involves editing and printing the booklet; securing prizes (through the Business Partners); creating incentives and implementing theme days; working and communicating with teachers; promoting the event and soliciting and managing the parent volunteers in each classroom. This event raises upwards of $35K and our students read over a MILLION minutes Organization, some public speaking and a love of reading are helpful skills for this position. Book Fair (Elect): (2 co-chairs at each campus) This is both a service to the school as well as a Fundraiser. The book fairs are held at both campuses in the Fall and again in very early Spring. This involves working with the media specialists, coordinating with Scholastic and enlisting volunteers for this week-long event. This is a concentrated time commitment around the two book fairs.
Gift Wrap (Elect): (2 co-chairs) This committee works with our gift wrap vendor and promotes the products to the students and their families. Logowear: This committee designs, procures, manages and sells Brandon Logowear and Morris Brandon Cookbooks. While year-round, the focus is primarily at the start of school through the Fall. Foundation: The Foundation uses money raised through the Annual Fund and Auction to promote and enrich the education and development of the students by determining the appropriate: curriculum programs, teacher development opportunities and technological and capital improvements to be made that are not funded by APS. The Foundation meets monthly to oversee the annual budget and evaluate new funding requests. Foundation members must adhere to the Foundation s By-Laws and Conflicts of Interest Policy. This is a two-year term. COMMUNICATIONS Brandon Bee Editor: This person accepts articles from various committee chairs, the PTA and Principal and works closely with them before publication. This is a weekly e-newsletter and our primary means of communication to the Brandon Community. Computer and writing skills are a must. This is done primary via email. Social Media: This person is responsible for updating our Facebook page and Twitter accounts on a regular and ongoing basis. Proficient in the online world/ Social Media a must. This is done via computer. There will also be some coordination with the Website Chair. Directory: Our means of staying connected with each other, this committee prepares, publishes and distributes the school directory based on provided software. Computer skills are necessary for the on-line directory. This requires a concentrated block of time in late Summer/early Fall. Big Bee Envelope: This committee works closely with the PTA and Administration to prepare, organize and distribute communications regarding PTA, fundraisers and required school forms at the beginning of the school year. Public Relations: This person coordinates publicity with the local media for our news-worthy events and may involve meeting the press on site. This includes print as well as TV. Graphic Designer: This person assists the various committees in layout and design as needed. Prospective Parents: (2 co-chairs) This committee is responsible for reaching out to prospective Kindergarten students and their parents by coordinating and directing tours of the school. They will also host two events: the Kindergarten Coffee in the Fall and the Ice Cream Social in the Spring. This committee works closely with the Administration. Yearbook/Historian: This committee chronicles a year in the life of Brandon and works closely with the yearbook publisher. Time in school includes assisting with picture day(s) and taking photographs throughout the year. Some photography or layout experience is helpful. Duties include soliciting and tracking payments.
Website: This person manages the Morris Brandon website and handles regular content updates. Word Press experience is very helpful as is a general knowledge of website maintenance. The time commitment is throughout the year. Coordinates with Social Medial chair. INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS/STAFF LIAISON: Grade Level Coordinators: These coordinators work closely with their respective grade level teachers and the Room Parents to communicate information pertinent to that particular grade. These liaisons will also be responsible for posting information on our website. They will also work with Room Parents to organize events and fundraisers specific to that grade. (One coordinator is needed for each grade level.) This position is done mainly through email and is ongoing. Room Parent Coordinator: This person works with the Room Parents and Grade level coordinators to distribute appropriate information on class/grade events. New Specials Coordinators: This committee works with the Art, French, Music, Chorus, Band and Orchestra teachers at each campus and communicates this information monthly or quarterly in the Bee and//or on the website. This helps parents know what is happening in all of those fabulous areas This is done primarily through email and is ongoing. (1 co-chair for each campus.) Challenge Coordinator: This person works with the Challenge teachers and communicates the information to the Challenge room parents. (Separate from the homeroom room parents.) This is done primarily through email and is ongoing. In the Fall, the coordinator will meet with the Challenge team to determine any unfunded needs and will aid in raising the funds from parents. IB Coordinator: This person works with the school s IB Coordinator (currently Jake Thompson) to plan funding for the year as well as marketing and seminars to help educate the community on the IB Program. They also work with the school s IB coordinator to plan grade-level activities throughout the year, specifically assisting with the Fifth-Grade IB Exhibition in May. Junior Achievement: This committee coordinates a parent for each classroom to teach Junior Achievement and distributes materials. Sutton Liaison: This committee communicates appropriate Sutton Middle School events and programs to the Brandon students and parents. FAMILY/COMMUNITY EVENTS: Art Committee: This committee works with the Art teachers to display students artwork and assist the art teacher as needed. Every other year (next will be Spring 2016) responsibilities include coordinating the Night of the Arts event. Back to School: (2+ co-chairs at each campus) Also known as the Celebration of Learning, this committee organizes the event where students and parents meet their teachers at each
campus. This event is typically held the Friday before school begins but is TBD. (2 chairs at each campus) Community Enrichment: This person is responsible for arranging a variety of speakers relevant to the issues facing the children and parents of the Brandon Community. Field Day: (2 co-chairs) This committee works with the P.E. Instructors at each campus to coordinate the opening ceremonies and Field Day activities in May. This committee will also solicit and coordinate volunteers. Family Dinner Nights: This committee arranges Family Spirit Nights with restaurants that are Business Partners and promotes them within the community and school staff. Fun Run (Elect): (2 co-chairs) This committee coordinates the annual one-mile Fun Run held each Spring. This includes coordinating with the P.E. staff, ordering shirts, collecting money and communicating the event to the staff. Jump Rope for Heart: This committee works with the P.E. teacher and P.E. Liaisons to raise money for the American Heart Association. Watchdog Dads/Dad s Pizza Night: Held one night in the Fall at the Main Campus playground, this event requires coordinating a pizza vendor to quickly feed hungry dads and kids. Also coordinates our wonderful volunteer Watchdog Dads who have a presence at each school during the day. Father Daughter Dance: This committee organizes and hosts a evening of dancing and fun for all aged MB girls and their Dad s (or special someone). This includes booking a DJ, a food truck, minor decorations and communicating the event to the school. This event is typically held during the Spring Book Fair in February. Walk to School Day: This committee works with the P.E. teachers and P.E. Liaison to coordinate Walk to School day held once in the Fall and again in the Spring. Dad s Breakfast: This committee organizes the annual Dad s breakfast. OPERATIONS Attendance Recognition: This person works closely with the Administration to coordinate recognition awards. Caring Bees: This committee supports our Brandon families in need or crisis with notes, flowers, etc. Facilities: This committee oversees the interiors, fields and grounds and our recycling program. This committee works with the appropriate staff within APS and our school to help meet the needs of our students, buildings and grounds using the allotted budget. (1 chair at each campus)
Health and Safety: This committee works with the school nurses as needed and addresses and resolves any safety issues with our children entering and leaving school. May involve street safety, crosswalks and working with the school policeman. Hospitality: This committee provides refreshment for General PTA meetings and other school events as needed. The members also host the Holiday and the End-of-Year Luncheon for PTA committee chairs. Lost and Found: This committee helps organize the Lost and Found closets at each campus and returns labeled items to the proper classroom. Also responsible for labeling, tracking and then donating unclaimed items at the end of the month. (1 chair for each campus.) Media Center: This committee coordinates volunteers to support our Media Specialists at each campus. (1 chair for each campus.) Morning Parents: This committee organizes and schedules parents to man the front desk each morning during student arrival time. Duties include tracking change of transportation forms, recording tardy arrivals, monitoring the lobby and enforcing volunteer sign-in procedures. PE/Jump Rope: This committee works with the P.E. teacher to communicate Jump Rope Team information to parents and students. Also works with the Field Day committee and supports the P.E. teachers for any special events such as the Jingle Jog. School Supplies: This committee is responsible for ordering school supplies for the upcoming year and coordinating the sale of school supplies online and at Back to School. Special Services: The goal of this committee is to address the needs of a broad range of students with learning differences and disabilities and increase acceptance and inclusion of these students. Teacher/Staff Appreciation: This committee recognizes teachers and staff throughout the year with luncheons and birthday recognitions. The first luncheon is held the week before school starts during pre-planning. Teacher Workroom/Supplies: This committee helps with the teacher workrooms and keeps the teachers at each campus supplied with basic necessities throughout the school year. Wellness Committee: This committee helps promote wellness and health for students. Generally there is a specific week in the year when this is a major focus. TRANSPORTATION Bus Liaison: This person distributes the bus routes published by APS and is our liaison between our APS contacts in the transportation department and parents. This person works to resolve any bus issues that arise throughout the school year. Carpool Liaison: This committee is responsible for coordinating and distributing carpool numbers. They are present at the Back to School/Celebration of Learning to answer questions and
is active at carpool at the start of the school year to ensure that the first few weeks of carpool run smoothly. COMMUNITY OUTREACH Community Outreach Coordinator: This person helps coordinate the efforts of outreach committees and serves as a liaison/representative to the Northern Cluster to share ideas that provide support for all cluster students and needs that may arise. This committee will help to stock the Brandon Food Pantry and coordinate with Roots and Shoots to get our students involved in community outreach efforts. Bee Green: This committee works with the teachers and administration to implement our school s environmentally-friendly efforts throughout the year. Roots and Shoots: This committee leads several initiatives throughout the year for grades 2-5. Topics vary but encourage student reflection and action relating to animals, disabilities and those less fortunate. This team will coordinate with the Community Outreach Coordinator.