BOARD MEMBERSHIP INFORMATIONAL MEETING MAY 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.

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 5 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

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 7

BUDGET DISTRIBUTION

OUR STRUCTURE  Officers  President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary  Committees:  SEED  Harvest Fest  Staff Appreciation Week  Yearbook  Board Recruitment  Finance

SAMPLE AGENDA NumberAgenda ItemOwnerTimeStartEnd 1Call to orderJeremy06:00 PM 2Approve meeting minutes (Motion 1)All06:00 PM 3School Update Staff development Jennifer W.206:00 PM6:20 PM 4Committee 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 All606:20 PM7:20 PM 5General DiscussionAll207:20 PM7:40 PM 6Other BusinessAll57:40 PM7:45 PM Adjourn 07:45 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 and mail to  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