Secretary Archive

Whether you're a new secretary or a veteran, you'll find tons of ideas and tips in the articles below to do your job even better. Find more helpful tools and info on the Parent Group Secretary resources page.

Articles with a plus sign () are available to PTO Today Plus members only.

• How To Take Meeting Minutes - What to write down and what not to, plus tips to make the job easier.
• What Every Secretary Should Know - The secretary’s role is more than just taking minutes and posting the meeting agenda.
• 16 Tips for Executive Board Members - Doing these simple things will help make you a more effective PTO or PTA board member.
• The Secret to Successful Leadership - The most overlooked skill—delegation—might just be the best one you'll ever learn.
• Organize Your PTO Work - Parent group leaders share their favorite tips for order and efficiency.
• Email Communication Tips - How to use email effectively while avoiding common pitfalls that lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding.
• Chairing a Committee: The Basics - Get organized, get the information you need, find volunteers, and start your committee on a path to success.
• The Power of the "Big Idea" - A high-profile goal or signature event will rally your school community and build excitement.
• Balancing PTO and Personal Life - It can be challenging to find balance. But a little strategy, a little organization, and a lot of support from friends and family go a long way.
• Robert's Rules: What You Should Know - Robert's Rules do help you run an effective meeting. And you don't have to know a whole book's worth of details—just a few key concepts.
• Procedures Book: Your PTO's Instruction Manual - How to create policies and procedures books for your leaders. This tool can make a big difference for your group.
• Meeting Minutes Dos and Don'ts - Minutes are a legal document and an important record of your decisions. Guidelines on when to take minutes and what to record.
• Your Group's Legal Status - Is your group tax-exempt? Incorporated? Does it have its own tax ID number? How to find out, and keep your legal records up to date.
• A Simple Communication System - To help parents keep up with news, events, and activities, use a "communications envelope" to send school and PTO correspondence home with students on a regular schedule.
• Permission Slips That Work - Permission slips are often sent home with kids for school activities, but most of them don't provide any legal protection for the school or the parent group.
• Meeting Minutes: Just the Facts - Keeping complete and accurate minutes is an important legal obligation. Here's why certain types of information should—or shouldn't—be included.
• Find Your Leadership Style - The best leaders recognize their natural tendencies and use that knowledge to respond appropriately in different situations.
• Keep Up With District-Level Issues - For a greater understanding of the issues facing your school, have a delegate regularly attend meetings of the school board.