BOARD MEMBERSHIP INFORMATIONAL MEETINGMAY 2014

WHO IS THE PARENT ASSOCIATION?

Founded in 1999, the Montessori Children’s House Parent Association (MCH PA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made up of MCH parents and community volunteers.

We are a working board.

Board member are elected each fall for a 3 year term.

All volunteer organization.

Meet the 3rd Thursday of every month.

MISSION AND VISION

Mission: To foster and create an exceptional Montessori environment and community that helps our children grow to realize their highest educational potential through coordination with the school administration.

Vision: The MCH PA strives to create a culture of community giving and responsible fiscal management that supports the PA mission through the following activities:  Education enrichment of the school’s curriculum through programs and materials

Professional development of teachers and staff

Short term tuition assistance for existing families in need

PA sponsored programs and activities that support community development and parent education

Teacher and staff appreciation

WHAT DO WE DO?

First and foremost we fundraise.

If we don’t raise money we can’t fulfill our mission.

SEED is the primary mechanism that we use to raise funds.

We raise approximately $50,000 each fall with the help of 75% of the families.

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WHAT IS SEED?

Sponsorship Short Term Tuition Assistance

PA Sponsored Programs – Harvest Fest, Staff & Faculty Appreciation week

Extracurricular

Field Trips – visits to the theatre, museums, environmental education

Education Specialist Materials – garden supplies, musical equipment

Special Events – visits from fire fighters, dentist, science programs, orchestra

Enrichment

Annual education enrichment program

PA Sponsored Projects – nature trail, flag pole, playground development…

Educational Enrichment Materials – Classroom materials such as Lego robotics, million cube, World Flags…

Development

Montessori Certification Training

Professional Development workshops

Conferences and classes

SEED is the annual fund administered by the Montessori Children’s House Parent Association (MCH PA). It was established in 2009 as a formal mechanism to continue the work of the MCH PA in supporting the MCH community.

CORE ACTIVITIES

Parent Night

New Parent Orientation

Harvest Fest (Board Elections)

SEED

Staff Appreciation Week

Yearbook

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PAST PROGRAMS

Development of the playgrounds

Gardening materials

Nature trail

Lego Robotics a STEM program (science, technology, engineering and math)

Classroom computers

Experiential and environmental education program*

Music instruments

Classroom enrichment materials

Burke Museum

Cougar Mountain Zoo

Dentist Visit

Firefighter Visit

Gardening Specialist

Islandwood Visit

Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

King Tut

Museum of Flight Visit

Nutcracker Performance

On Campus Violin Concert

Seattle Art Museum Visit

Seattle Children's Theater

State Capital Visit

The Not-Its!

Tillacum Village

Vet Visit

Author Margaret Reed MacDonald

Seattle Arboretum

Staff Lounge Remodel

New Building Art Installation

BUDGET DISTRIBUTION

Enrichment32%

Development29%

Tuition28%

Community3%

Appreciation9%

OUR STRUCTURE

Officers President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary

Committees: SEED

Harvest Fest

Staff Appreciation Week

Yearbook

Board Recruitment

Finance

SAMPLE AGENDA

Number Agenda Item Owner Time Start End

1 Call to order Jeremy 0 6:00 PM 6:00 PM

2 Approve meeting minutes (Motion 1) All 0 6:00 PM 6:00 PM

3 School Update• Staff development

Jennifer W. 20 6:00 PM 6:20 PM

4 Committee Updates• Staff Appreciation Week - Mindy • Playground Development - Alisha• Wetlands Mitigation - Amie• Board Recruitment - Jeremy• Yearbook - Janet• Financial system - Karen• Derby days float - Jeremy• Parents night out - Lavanya

All 60 6:20 PM 7:20 PM

5 General Discussion All 20 7:20 PM 7:40 PM

6 Other Business All 5 7:40 PM 7:45 PM

  Adjourn   0 7:45 PM 7:45 PM

NEXT STEPS IN OUR GROWTH

Increase focus on building the MCH community

More individual empowerment

Committees based on activity not function

Committee reports presented at the beginning of each board meeting

Chairs recruit their committee members from the board and broader school community

Board members can create their own committees at will

Goal is to eventually pull from the broader community to staff programs

OUR GREATEST REWARDS AS A BOARD MEMBERS

Feeling connected to the greater school community

It was very gratifying to help raise the amount we did towards the SEED campaign

Helps the school.

The opportunity to create a great community at MCH

Being actively involved in the strategic development; beyond just coming to the meetings

Raising funds to support great enrichments & help struggling families

Meeting our SEED goal two years in a row which supports the needed programs at the school.

Making a difference, any difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

Complete the board application

Download from http://www.mch-pa.org and mail to pa@mchkids.com

Interviews: 6/5 and 6/12 (tentative)

Open Spots: One 2-year appointment

May be re-elected for additional terms of 1, 2, or 3 years

Four 1-year appointments

May be re-elected for additional terms of 1, 2, or 3 years

3 year term elections

May be re-elected for additional terms of 1, 2, or 3 years

Decisions by 6/19

QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION