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.

Rules for Keeping PTO and PTA Records
Guidelines for how long you should keep bank statements, meeting minutes, and more.
How To Take Meeting Minutes
What to write down and what not to, plus tips to make the job easier.
Use PTO Experience To Get a Job
The skills you develop as a parent leader and school volunteer can give you an edge when going back to work.
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 organization tips for order and efficiency.
Email Communication Tips
How to use email effectively while avoiding common pitfalls that lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding.
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.
The Power of the "Big Idea"
A high-profile goal or signature event will rally your school community and build excitement.
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
Helpful information and resources to create policies and procedures books for your leaders.
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.
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.
Find Your Leadership Style
The best leaders recognize their natural tendencies and use that knowledge to respond appropriately in different situations.
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.

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Secretary Archive