It is the holiday season (already!) and I hope all of you are able to enjoy it with your family and friends. Although the economic times have been difficult, many of us still have a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful for my husband’s support for my work with PTA. His willingness to help with many everyday tasks at home gives me time for PTA (in addition to my regular job as a full-time toxicologist). I think he actually enjoys cooking!
I am thankful for all of the efforts of PTA and PTSA volunteers in San Mateo County on behalf of children and families. Last year PTA volunteers in San Mateo County contributed at least 345,456 hours of their time, based on all reports received last spring. I am also thankful for the many PTA officers serving as Historian, and for Pat Targgart, last year’s 17th District Historian, because I wouldn’t be able to guess this number without you! This record of volunteer efforts helps support the nonprofit basis of PTA. Linda Benedetti, 17th District Historian for 2009-11, has provided information in the December issue of the Seventeena on recording and reporting the time your volunteers are serving for PTA.
Thank you to all who are contributing to a successful fall PTA membership drive. The total number of memberships in San Mateo County as of the end of October was 7,726, up 45% from the previous year! Our total annual membership last year was nearly 20,000 members, so please continue to send in all membership contributions monthly to keep us on track. Statewide, the goal for California is 1 million members this year. This supports PTA’s efforts to train officers, communicate information to members and advocate for children. Further information about submitting PTA membership dues is available here.
Thanks to volunteers and teachers who are helping students to participate in the PTA’s annual Reflections Program. Participation and appreciation for the arts is the Reflections Program’s goal. There are many opportunities to participate, but entries must be delivered to our Reflections Chair, Contessa Messiana, by Friday, Dec. 11 (with earlier deadlines for Councils).
I hope to see you on February 9 for the annual Founders Day Celebration! Please register early and encourage all PTA members to attend.
Sincerely,
Colette J. Rudd
17th District President
