COMMITTEE JOB DESCRIPTIONS

 

This first set of committees/events listed in blue are PTSA sponsored. The descriptions are meant to give a general overview of what might be asked of volunteers, the time of year that it might occur, and any other information that might be relevant to help you understand what the committee is about. All descriptions are subject to change based on the needs of the PTSA and the school in any given year.

CONCESSIONS FOR SOCIALS AND OTHER ASB EVENTS WHERE REQUESTED (P) – (throughout year) (other events may include such things as Battle of the Bands, etc.) Purchase food (candy, soda, pizza, etc), set prices, post signs if proceeds will go towards something specific, get the cash box with appropriate change, work the event, make sure contract is signed with ASB (only PTSA president has power to sign contract), double count the cash, deposit the proceeds at bank, give receipt to treasurer who will reimburse volunteer expense and pay ASB fee. This committee could work with ASB students to determine what should be sold at events. There is one social scheduled each trimester. There would be approximately 3-6 events per year. About 4-6 volunteers per event.

New-CONCESSIONS FOR SPORTING EVENTS (P) – (throughout year) purchase food (candy, soda, water, pizza, etc), set prices, post signs if proceeds will go towards something specific, get the cash box with appropriate change, work the event, make sure contract is signed with ASB (only PTSA president has power to sign contract), double count the cash, deposit the proceeds at bank, give receipt to treasurer who will reimburse volunteer expense and pay ASB fee. This would be for outdoor home events a few times in the fall for cross country and softball and 2 to 3 track meets in the spring. About 4-6 volunteers per event.

POPCORN POPPER (P) – (throughout year) These volunteers pop popcorn for the student lunches on Fridays. Bags of popcorn are sold for 25 cents. At other times throughout the year we may want to pop corn for special events as well. Two parents are needed each week.

REFLECTIONS COMPETITION (P) - (October/November; District reception is in January) – this is a National PTA arts competition that Beaver Lake has participated in for a number of years. Each year a new theme is announced for all submissions. Categories include: drawing, literature, music and each year they include other categories. Winners from Beaver Lake would move on to the District PTA competition. This volunteer would have the resources of the District Reflections Committee Chair to help them as well as resources from the Washington State PTA website and Beaver Lake notebook of past history. One to two parents are best to chair this committee though other volunteers can be used to help with judging and other administrative details.

New WEBSITE(P) – (throughout year) This would be a PTSA specific website. Ultimately we would like someone who could research and develop our own PTSA website.

DESTINATION IMAGINATION (P) (October through March) – teams of no more than 6 students work together over about five months preparing for the district competition in March. Each team needs one to two parents that help them within the guidelines of the organization. It would be helpful if one person stepped forward to have an informational meeting in October to answer questions and help interested people get together. If there is an organizational person than the Board would be willing to go to the Staff and see if the Staff would be willing to talk to the kids in class about this opportunity. To enter a team in this competition and be reimbursed by the PTSA the parents must present their intentions to the Board before their team begins preparing.

NOMINATION COMMITTEE (P) - (January) This committee finds the volunteers willing to be the elected officers for the following school year. These committee members are not volunteering to be on the Executive Committee (though they may) but simply to compile a list that will be submitted to the General Membership for a vote. The Board can help give recommendations to this committee but the committee is ultimately given the authority to present the slate they feel is the strongest to uphold the ideals of the Beaver Lake PTSA and community. It is best to have at least 3 parents on this committee.

GOLDEN ACORN AWARDS (P) - (February) This is a PTSA committee. These volunteers solicit the Beaver Lake community to nominate those volunteers that they feel have truly gone above and beyond that year for the benefit of all students and the school. They use provided criteria to judge those nominations and present the winner(s) with a token of the PTSA’s appreciation and submit their name(s) to the District PTSA for recognition. This can be done with 1 to 3 parent volunteers.

New -OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD (P) – (April) This is a PTSA committee. This would be a new committee if we go forward with this. This award is in the same category as the Golden Acorn Awards that are done through the Washington State PTA and the recipient receives a golden apple pin, their name on a plaque and a donation in their name toward the PTA state scholarship fund. It might be nice to time this around Staff Appreciation Week. This can be done with 1 to 3 parent volunteers.

STAFF APPRECIATION (P) - (May) This is a PTSA committee. These volunteers would plan a week of goodies and tokens of appreciation for the entire staff of Beaver Lake and work with the principal on the timing of events. This is a great committee to work closely with the ASB leadership students in planning this week and should be strongly encouraged to do so. The best time to approach leadership would probably be the first week of the third trimester as they are choosing their projects. If there are a lot of volunteers for this we might want to consider expanding this into something that picks one day during the first trimester to do something for the staff and one day during the second trimester to do something for the staff as a small token of appreciation. Or possibly they could organize something during the April testing time. This would be done best with a committee chair who could organize the many volunteers who usually want to help with this committee and to assess whether to expand this committee throughout the year.

New GIFT-A-BOOK (P) – (throughout year) This is a new PTSA program. These volunteers would work with the school’s librarian, Sally Martin. There would be order forms in the library for students to take home. Parents would fill out and mail a check(because it is PTSA money not ASB money) to the committee chair for processing. The committee and Sally will need to decide what choices they make available to parents. For example, can they choose any book or will they be limited to genre or author or do they choose a price level, etc. Decisions will need to be made on how books are purchased. Each book will have a personalized book plate acknowledging the gift to the library. This can be done with 1 to 2 parent volunteers.

AUDIT COMMITTEE(P) – (July and January) This is a PTSA committee. Two to three people to review the financial books to make sure that everything has been properly handled. Fill out the audit form provided. Volunteers may not be signors on the bank account. Final audit is complete in July after the end of the fiscal year but a mid-year audit may be done in January and is advisable when the co-treasurers transfer their duties. 3 volunteers needed.

ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ISF) LIAISON(P) – (throughout year) This is a PTSA position. ISF sent a description of their vision of the position. The responsibilities would include: 1. Distribute information regarding grant opportunities, events and other issues pertaining to the ISF/CISI. 2. Provide valuable feedback to ISF/CISI from a building perspective on outcome and effectiveness of ISF/CISI programs such Enrichment Grants, SafeNet, and the VOICE mentoring program. 3. Assist ISF/CISI Board in fundraising efforts by inviting others to attend the Annual Luncheon. 4. Support yearly District instructional additions by recruiting Phone-a-thon volunteers. PTSA Council Liaison is Jane Brammer (557-4711, brammerjd@comcast.net) CISI – Communities in Schools of Issaquah. 1 volunteer needed.

VOLUNTEERS FOR ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS (VIS) LIAISON(P) – (September through February) This is a PTSA position. The liaison will become active in the fall and work up to the election in February. They will have a great resource in the District PTA Council VIS Rep. Their responsibilities would include: 1. Communicating to the PTSA about the bond/levies. 2. Gather volunteers for the phone bank, honk and wave, mailings. 3. Help gather names of potential donors for fundraising though they do not do the actual fundraising the campaign group does that. 4. Attends two to three meetings with all of the liaisons. VIS is an organization dedicated to helping pass the Issaquah School District Bonds and Levies. It is projected that there will be a levy and bond issue put to the voters in February of 2006. The PTA can be instrumental in the passing of the bond by communicating and working with the campaign. A liaison in each school building can communicate the messages and help to gather volunteers to help get the campaign work done. Multiple volunteers needed for item #2 above.

SPECIAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE(P) – (throughout year) This is a PTSA position. This person reports to the PTSA on what is happening in the district with regards to special services. They bring ideas or requests for things that we can do at BLMS to help. They may attend Special Services meetings. Need 1 volunteer.

New USED TEXT BOOK SWAP(P) – (June) This is a PTSA committee. We have never done this before so the Board of Directors will be doing their best this year but we are looking for volunteers to take this on next spring. An option would be that people bring their used text books to Bulldog Business Days where they would receive some sort of marker for their book. Then at Curriculum Night they could turn in their marker for the appropriate text book. Or we could set up for a Wednesday morning before school a week or so after school has started where the parent and child could come in and get their book. There would have to be some sort of disclaimer for if there is no textbook available for that class. How would we pick up outgoing 8^th graders books – at Freshman Campus registration? Would 6^th graders pay some nominal fee? We are still working out the logistics and hope that everyone will be understanding. Need 3 to 5 volunteers.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION(P) – (throughout year/March) This is a PTSA position. This person(s) can keep this simple or make it into more of a competition. They can put articles in the newsletter(s). They collect and turn in the box tops. Debi Rapoza did it this year. Need 1 to 2 volunteers.

PARENT EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE(P) – (throughout year) This is a PTSA position. This person works with the District Parent Ed Representative. They make sure the BLMS community knows about Parent Ed opportunities in the District – this may include hanging posters or making sure articles included in the newsletter(s). They may look into bringing a Parent Ed seminar to BLMS. Need 1 volunteer.

New NEW STUDENT WELCOME CELEBRATION(P) – (August) This is brand new this year. All incoming 6^th graders and all new 7^th and 8^th graders will be invited to attend. This committee will come up with some sort of scavenger hunt or list of tasks for small groups of kids to accomplish that will take that all over the school. Each group would possibly have a current BLMS student helping them or there would be BLMS students at each "station". This committee is strongly encouraged to include ASB students in the planning of this activity. After the "task" is done then everyone will gather in the commons for some sort of treat. The counselors would like to be involved in this activity as well. Are parents encouraged to stay? If so, we would want to set up some sort of program (Q&A area or meet & greet) for them. Need 10 volunteers for August 2006. Also need 1 to 3 people to volunteer to start planning next spring for August 2007.

New SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION(P) – (Spring) This would be new this year. There is a push in PTA to find more ways to involve Dads. There could be an outdoor fall or spring cleanup. This could be a one time event. It is strongly encouraged to include ASB students in the planning of this activity. Need someone to chair this and many volunteers.

This second set of committees/events listed in red are ASB sponsored. The descriptions are meant to give a general overview of what might be asked of volunteers, the time of year that it might occur, and any other information that might be relevant to help you understand what the committee is about. All descriptions are subject to change based on the needs of the ASB and the school in any given year.

CHAPERONE FOR SOCIALS (A) – (each trimester) assist other staff members at these ASB events. Watch over the students to make sure everyone is safe and behaving in an orderly but fun manner. Help where needed (taking tickets, serving cake, distributing give-aways, etc.) Only one social per trimester. First trimester is for 7^th and 8^th graders from 2:30-4:30pm. Second trimester is for 6^th graders from 2:30-4:30pm. Third trimester is 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders from 6-8pm. About 4-6 volunteers per event.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD (A) – (time unknown) This is an ASB program run by Kathryn Stroud. More research is needed to know how many volunteers and the tasks that would be asked of them.

8^TH GRADE PARENTS FOR NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY RECEPTION (A) – (spring) This is an ASB program. These volunteers would help the staff contacts Debbie Pritchett and Debi Rapoza in setting up for the reception.

HUMANITARIAN/OUTREACH PROGRAMS (A)(P) – (throughout year) There are a number of Humanitarian or Outreach programs that are done at BLMS throughout the school year including, but not limited to, a Food Drive and the South African orphanage this year. The leadership students pick what they are going to support each year and involve the rest of the student body. This is a great program for parents to get involved in the planning stages with the ASB students at least for any major undertakings such as the orphanage project. There are a variety of tasks and jobs for volunteers to help with. Each humanitarian program is different. Many volunteers are needed.

8^TH GRADE CRUISE(A) – (June) This is an ASB event taken on as a project by 8^th grade leadership students. PTSA finds six to eight 7^th or 6^th grade parents only to help man the food tables. Staff is used as chaperones. PTSA decorates the food tables if possible in the theme that has been chosen by the 8^th grade class (e.g. 2005 – 50’s Drive-in; 2004 – Sports; 2003 – Hawaiian) PTSA pays towards the food and purchases their portion. ASB covers the boat, DJ, security and some decorations. Staff contact is Kim Thomas or Debi Rapoza.

6^TH -7^TH – 8^TH JUNE ACTIVITIES(A) – (June) These are ASB activities that are decided upon each year that happen at the end of the school year. They could include field days, chaperones for field trips, etc. Most of the help needed will be for volunteer power on specific days. There might be minimal needs for volunteers to help with some planning prior to the day. For example, Dads could get involved for 8^th grade field day activities. In the past they’ve had a Survivor type theme that Dads could help plan and put together. Staff contact is Kim Thomas or Karen Bach.

 

ART UNLIMITED CONTEST(A) - (May/June) This is an ASB program. This is an internal Beaver Lake competition. Students are encouraged to submit an original piece of artwork. The winners work will be framed and hung or displayed at Beaver Lake. Staff contact is Patrick Ford. More research needs to be done to know what is needed of volunteers.

MAGAZINE DRIVE(A) – (September) This is an ASB event. Karen Bach or Kim Thomas is the contact. This is the ASB fundraiser in September. These volunteers help collect the magazine forms and money, distribute prizes, count money and check against the forms. Volunteer time varies from an hour at the beginning of school to four hours or more depending on number of volunteers. At least one volunteer must stay until all money is counted. Need 6-10 volunteers each turn-in day of the drive.

 

 

This third set of committees/events listed in green are school sponsored. The descriptions are meant to give a general overview of what might be asked of volunteers, the time of year that it might occur, and any other information that might be relevant to help you understand what the committee is about. All descriptions are subject to change based on the needs of the school in any given year.

VISION AND HEARING SCREENING (S) - (September or October) for 7^th graders. This is coordinated by the school nurse. These volunteers help bring kids to/from class. Need further definition from nurse as to duties and number of volunteers.

SCOLIOSIS TESTING (S) – (March) for 7^th graders. The nurse needs 2 helpers. Volunteers help bring kids to/from class and helps nurse organize them.

8^TH GRADE PROMOTION CEREMONY(S) – (June) This is organized by the school. PTSA finds six to eight 7^th or 6^th grade parents only to set up the Skyline gym for graduation. More research is needed to know what else might be needed of volunteers. Contact is Monique Beane, Assistant Principal.

BULLDOG BUSINESS DAYS(S) – (August) This is a school event. Volunteers help where needed to move the parents along from station to station. Selecting PE Clothes, helping people in line for the bookkeeper total their check list, accepting forms, etc. Need approximately 8 volunteers at a time to keep things moving smoothly.

New EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE(S) – (throughout year) This is a school committee, working with the nurse. First they need to inventory what BLMS has. Then make a determination of what is needed and how to store it. Make purchases and come up with plan for replenishing. Need 5 to 8 volunteers.

HONOR ROLL(S) – (each trimester) This is a school activity. In the past they have done root beer floats for those students who have made the honor roll. We need to know what the future plans for this are because of the new nutrition guidelines and volunteer needs. Staff contacts are Debbie Pritchett and Debi Rapoza.

New TUTORING (P)(S) – (throughout year) This would be new this year. PTSA hasn’t talked about more than the idea with the BLMS administration but there is a definite interest. BLMS has done tutoring before during the school day matching parents up with different classes helping students. Another possibility would be Wednesday mornings before school where parents could work with students. If the volunteer interest is strong enough the PTSA and the school administration will definitely work together to come up with a workable program.

 

In addition, the PTSA Board of Directors wants to hear from the General Membership as to what other programs or events you would support and would like to participate in. We have heard from many of you that you would like some sort of all school, community building event. If you feel that way too, please give us some ideas as to what you would be willing to help with or attend. Please contact anybody on the Board or Heather Gillette at heathergillette@hotmail.com with your comments.