Learning Library for
PRESIDENTS
Find everything you need to be successful in your PTA role, from basic trainings to leadership development tools. You'll also find links to forms and templates and other helpful resources.
Questions? Contact Cyndi Arakas, Council President
Dominica Sequeira, 1st VP/Aide to President
Know what you're looking for? Click on a topic below to move directly to that section.
ESSENTIALS Trainings
Includes important information for FISD PTAs and how to lead successfully in your specific board role on your campus.
Updated annually (August)
This training will guide you through key steps to complete during the summer to ensure a successful upcoming year! (Recommended for spring.)
Updated annually (May)
Interested in learning what School of Excellence is all about? Would you like to work with your principal to have your campus earn this national distinction for your amazing work? This training provides a brief overview, with important links, to get you started.
Interested in setting up a FREE Google Workspace account for your PTA? Follow these step by step instructions to get started today!
Bylaws and Standing Rules must be updated every 3 years (minimum) to remain in good standing with TX PTA.
This training takes you step by step through the process to make it fast, easy, and correct!
It's important to understand parliamentary procedure and how/when to utilize it for effective meetings and fair elections.
Includes "cheat sheets" on motions required for key board and membership meetings.
All board members new to their role are required by TX PTA to watch the BASICS Webinar. If you have never served PTA in your current role, or have served in the past but never taken the TX PTA Basics, please be sure to complete this online training within 30 days of election or appointment.
This introductory course is for new PTA leaders; all board members are required by TX PTA to complete it only once in their PTA service. There is a $10 fee to access the online course materials/webinar. A copy of your certificate of completion serves as your receipt for reimbursement. This online training is required to be completed within 30 days of election or appointment.
Every person serving on a PTA board is required by TX PTA to take the Boardsmanship training within 30 days of election or appointment. This training will help you in your role by reviewing the basic responsibilities and functioning of a PTA board.
This training is not required for your role, but will help you in your role by reviewing the basic parliamentary procedures that we are required to follow. Parliamentary procedure helps our meetings to be more productive, efficient, and fair.
This training is not required for your role, but will help you to understand the importance of advocacy and how to successfully advocate for your students as a PTA board member.
This training is not required for your role, but will help you in your role by discussing how to recruit and utilize volunteers to be the extra hands and feet needed in our educational system.
INSIGHTS Trainings
Further develop your core leadership skills critical for long term success, including communication, marketing your PTA, conflict management, and more! For all board positions. Please visit often as we continue to build our Insights training library.
Full Circle Leadership is TX PTA’s very own leadership development certification program. By focusing on the five key areas of technical, intrapersonal, forward-thinking, interpersonal, and adaptive skills, Texas PTA leaders are able to enhance their skills to become even more successful and effective.
Resources: TX PTA Dues Increase 2024
Understand your PTA's options and next steps in implementing the required dues increase from TX PTA, which goes into effect August 1, 2024. Ensure you are set for a successful membership drive in 2024-2025!
It's important to understand why TX PTA asked for, and was approved for, a dues increase. Utilize these resources for discussion with your board and communication to your membership. Share the benefits and areas of strategic improvement that are tied to the dues increase with your membership.
Resources: Meeting Support
Review this list before each meeting to make sure you have everything you need to be successful.
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit
Most chair duties vary by month, from fulfilling TX PTA requirements to board needs. We've taken TX PTA's checklist and added FISD-specific items to the list, giving you a comprehensive overview of your year. Use this "by-month" checklist so you never miss a step!
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit
Prepare an agenda for for each board and membership meeting and issue it prior to the meeting. Well planned meetings start with agendas, which help improve efficiency, time management, and engagement.
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit
Scripts are available for meetings, elections, financial discussions, and more. Be prepared to lead your meetings effectively!
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit.
Carry this with you to your board and membership meetings for easy reference on how to phrase a motion, who makes it, and what vote is required. Gives specific examples, including budget adoptions and amendments, approving minutes, and more!
Resources: Activities Annual Report
The Activities Report is also referred to as the Historian's Report. This report serves as a record of the PTA's activities and achievements.
If there is no Historian, the Secretary is required to complete this report at the end of each fiscal year and present it at the last membership meeting of the year for adoption by the membership.
Review examples from other campuses in the district for ideas on how to complete this report.
The Activities Report is also referred to as the Historian's Report. This report serves as a record of the PTA's activities and achievements.
Not sure how to format your report? Utilize this template to ensure all required information is included!
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit
Use this worksheet over the course of the year, populating it with key information as you go for your PTA's Annual Report.
Key dates for events such as board and membership meetings, programs, and other activities hosted by your PTA must be included in the Annual Report. Use a calendar format as an attachment to your written report for an easy snapshot of your year!
Included are an example calendar (populated with events) and a blank template for your use.
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit
Resources: Elections
Takes you step by step through the nominating committee process, from election of committee members through the slating and election of officers. Learn or get a refresh on the requirements, and tips on finding the best candidates.
Scripts are available for meetings, elections, financial discussions, and more. Be prepared to lead your meetings effectively!
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit.
Resources: Grants
Do you offer monetary or product grants to your campus staff? Are you looking to start a grants program on your campus? Utilize this application template to ensure you are getting all of the information you need from staff applicants to make the best choices for your students and campus.
If your PTA awards grants to your campus staff, it's important that you have transparency on the selection criteria and who makes up your committee. Include this information in your standing rules. Utilize this document as an example of what to include and customize it as appropriate for your PTA.
Resources: Scholarships
This questionnaire from Frisco Education Foundation must be completed each year your PTA awards scholarships and is typically due in November.
Ensure you are following Frisco Education Foundation's procedures for offering a "pass through" scholarship(s). Understand what is required from the PTA, and what your options are for awarding a scholarship.
Check out these great overviews of Frisco Education scholarship deadlines for both the PTA and graduating seniors - a great tool to get the communication out!
And did you know that Texas PTA also offers scholarships to graduating seniors? Learn more and share these additional scholarship opportunities with your campus students!
Resources: Vendor Lists
Texas PTA is excited to share this tool available to all PTA leaders: The Resource & Vendor Directory! Easily search by category — including program providers, presenters, fundraising and yearbook companies, and more — to quickly find the information and contact details needed to plan your PTA's next project!
Visit the FISD website for a full list of approved vendors, as well as the process for having a new vendor approved.
Resources: Forms & Templates
Before completing your POW, review an example for your board position... then make it your own!
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit
Blank POW for use by you or your board.
Note: To customize, you must open document, download or save to your google drive, then edit
Partner with your Treasurer to compile all of the information critical to running your PTA: EIN, Tax ID, banking information, critical due dates and more!
Council dues are required, per your PTA's bylaws, and are paid annually. Dues must be paid prior to the first Council Delegates' Meeting each fiscal year (usually in September) so that your PTA has voting privileges.
Use these forms for your PTA's financial records. Customize for your PTA.
Use these forms for your PTA's financial records. Customize for your PTA.
Council and TX PTA recommend that you request a copy of your PTA's bylaws at the beginning of each year, as changes approved at the state level may be made to local bylaws as well - stay on top of these changes with your annual request.
Typically, changes made at the state level go into effect August 1st each year.
Everything your FRC needs in one document from TX PTA!
Resources: Policies & Guidelines
Access the most up-to-date documents governing FISD Council of PTAs, including bylaws and standing rules.
Access TX PTA's bylaws.
Explains all TX PTA requirements for remaining in Good Standing.
Required by TX PTA to be completed annually by all board members.
Required by TX PTA to be completed annually by the Secretary. If there are changes from the prior year, it must be adopted by membership. Otherwise, it only needs to be included in the minutes/records.
All minors serving on a PTA/PTSA board or committee are required to complete this consent form annually.
PTAs may customize this policy, if desired, and put it before their membership for adoption. It is recommended, but not required.
The process of remitting membership dues to Texas PTA is one that impacts the Local, State, and National PTAs. With varying timelines and platforms in place for collecting and distributing dues to the appropriate PTA, Texas PTA follows a specific process for refunds.
This policy may be voted on for adoption each year by membership, or incorporated into standing rules. It can be adopted/incorporated in whole or in part, but wording cannot be altered.
Any suspicion of theft, fraud or embezzlement must be reported immediately to TX PTA and this policy must be followed.
A helpful overview on how to manage events, and the funds raised, while remaining in compliance with TX PTA, state and federal guidelines.
These guidelines from FISD must be followed by all PTAs in the district. Includes information on governance, partnerships, fundraisers, and more. Updated annually.
The FISD Student Services department has collaborated with campus principals, district staff, and community members to create district guidelines that specify how fundraising should take place within Frisco ISD. Updated annually.
Are you designing a logo for your PTA? Or looking to utilize a campus logo? Please review district guidelines for information on use of campus or district logos (including incorporating it with "PTA"),
Resources: Guides & Other Helpful Tools
This is a quick snapshot comparison between bylaws and standing rules, and the amendment requirements for each. Recommended for inclusion in your Procedure Book/Binder for easy reference.
This all-inclusive calendar from Council includes dates from the FISD calendar, TX PTA membership award deadlines, Council training dates, national days of recognition (healthy lifestyles, environmental, hospitality, etc) and more!
A great resource from TX PTA for guidance and best practices.
Download or print. Updated annually.
Use this link to directly access all of the helpful information from TX PTA for your board position.
Serving on an executive board extends beyond management and completion of your position specific duties. It’s very important that you understand the duties of the executive board and your duties as an executive board member.
Download or print. Updated annually.
This Google Roster from TX PTA helps you track your path to good standing and membership awards. Bookmark it and check back frequently to stay on track!
A great resource from TX PTA. Learn about your role as facilitator, the power of mission and purpose, building rapport, drawing boundaries, and increasing the effectiveness of meetings.
Download or print. Updated annually.
District listing and map of all FISD campuses and facilities
District calendar for the current school year.
District listing of attendance zones and feeder patterns
District priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Recognitions & Awards
Is there a fellow board member who has gone the extra mile? Has she/he done something that exemplifies one or more of the LEAD leadership qualities... (Learn. Engage. Advocate. Drive.)
Leadership is about the choices and actions we take each day, big and small. Recognize someone on your board for going the extra mile - let them know they are appreciated! Winners will be invited to attend the next Council Delegates meeting for public recognition of his/her outstanding contributions to your PTA!
Has your PTA or campus tried something new that worked well? Have you revamped an old program and gotten great feedback? Help us to celebrate your board's achievement and share it with other campuses. Let's succeed together!