Westchester East Putnam PTA

Westchester East Putnam Region PTA

About WEP Objects of WEP WEP Services Calendar of Events Executive Committee Special Education Legislation PTA Membership Tips for Minutes Tips for Treasurers Vendors & Performers Bylaws Events Contact

updated April 15th

News & save the dates in our Special Education Section!

April SETRC e-newsletter is now online.

County Executive Andy Spano & District Attorney Janet DiFiore

invite you to attend

What every parent should know...

About Proms and Graduation Parties

Join us for a county-wide response to the concerns of parents, police and schools.

Student's Perspective
Workshops for Parents, Police and School Administrators
A Panel of Medical, Legal and Adolescent Experts

April 29, 2008 @ Westchester County Courthouse, White Plains, NY

7 pm - 8.30 pm, Registration at 6.30 pm

New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc.®
Westchester East Putnam Region PTA®

Annual Meeting & Spring Conference
Friday, May 2, 2008
White Plains Crowne Plaza Hotel, White Plains, NY

To All PTA Members:

It is my pleasure to issue this Call to Conference for the Westchester East Putnam
Region PTA’s Annual Meeting and Spring Conference. The Conference will be held on Friday, May 2, 2008, 12 Noon – 2pm, at the White Plains Crowne Plaza Hotel, 66 Hale Avenue, White Plains, New York. This is an e-mailed version of the call letter you
will soon receive as part of a conference packet sent through the mail.
We are honored to welcome as our guest speaker this year Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. In her two years as District Attorney and before that as a Judge of the County Court and a Justice of the State Supreme Court, DA DiFiore has become well-known as an authority on various issues relevant to the welfare of children and youth, including domestic violence, underage drinking, and Internet safety. Her address to us at this Spring Conference will be an enlightening examination of the legal rights and obligations of parents and teens in relation to the challenges of responsible parenting in the 21st century.

Spring Conference is an opportunity for you to participate in our annual meeting,
including election of the WEP Region’s officers, approval of region bylaws,
presentation of awards, and report on the state of the region PTA; as well as to view
PTA exhibits, gather literature, shop at the PTA boutique, and network with fellow
PTA members over lunch. Whether you are a brand new PTA member or an experienced
PTA leader, you are welcome. Whether you will be representing your PTA unit as a
voting delegate or simply pursuing an interest in a different side of the Region
PTA, I encourage you to attend.

It is in fact the responsibility of each unit and council in our region to be represented
at the annual meeting. Please send a minimum of two (2) PTA members from each unit and council to the conference. All unit/council voting members are reminded to bring their PTA membership cards to prove their eligibility for as voting delegates. Please check inside the mailed conference packet when you receive it for more details on unit representation and voting guidelines. The Spring Conference is open to all interested PTA members, and the costs associated with attending are a legitimate PTA expense, reimbursable by your unit.

For over 110 years PTA has been the largest child advocacy organization in the nation. Still, PTA’s greatest strength is you, the individual member. Spring Conference provides you with an opportunity to meet your region board members and members from other units and councils from across Westchester and Putnam counties. The information you gather and the people you meet there will enhance your ability to nurture your PTA unit or council and to facilitate your important work on behalf of children and their schools and families.

Your attendance at this Annual Meeting and Spring Conference is greatly appreciated, and all of us on the region board look forward to greeting you personally on May 2nd.

Yours in PTA,

Jane E. Harsha, Director
Westchester East Putnam Region PTA

everychild. onevoice.
cadaniño. unavoz.

Westchester East Putnam Region PTA®

Nominating Committee Report

The Nominating Committee, composed of Lonnie Phillips, Chairperson;
Christine Ciofolo, Pam Perricone, and Roseann Smith, presents the
following slate for the

2008 – 2009 PTA year:

Gail Chen Associate Director
Coordinator of Assistant Directors (North)

Chrisanne Petrone Associate Director
Coordinator of Assistant Directors (South)

Sara Ricci Associate Director
Commission on Health and Welfare

Ann Moorehouse Associate Director
Commission on Organization and Member Services

Dana Levenberg Associate Director
Commission on Education & School Community Relations

Elizabeth Spiro Recording Secretary

Fran Barski Corresponding Secretary

Pam Perricone Treasurer

Lonnie Phillips Assistant Treasurer

Region Director Appointment

New York State PTA is pleased to announce the appointment of Jane E. Harsha as Westchester East Putnam Region PTA Region Director for 2008 – 2009.

Dates to Remember,2008

May 2	WEPR Spring Conference, Crowne Plaza, White Plains
May 16	Region Reflections Award Ceremony, TBA
June 1	Deadline for discounted NYS PTA Insurance fee
June 15	Deadline to submit Officer Contact Information/Form A to NYS PTA
June 21-23	National PTA Convention, San Diego, CA
August TBD	Summer Experience Leadership Conference,* Utica College *WEPR PTA offers a limited number of grants for first-time participants in these events. For more information, contact the Region Treasurer.

NYS PTA AWARD APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Jenkins Memorial Scholarship (for Education Majors)
January 15, submit to: NYS PTA Office

Stanley Marcus Youth Humanitarian Award
February 28, submit to: Region Director

Jane Skrzypek Volunteer of the Year Award
June 15, submit to: Region Director

Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) Award
June 15, submit to: Region Director

Richard Gazzola Teacher Fellowship
June 21, submit to: NYS PTA Office

The following awards are available for presentation throughout the year:

National PTA Life Achievement Award

New York State PTA Honorary Life Membership

New York State PTA Distinguished Service Award

Please check our Calendar of Events for meeting times and important events, they're listed and will be updated frequently.

For a message from our new Region Director, Jane Harsha please visit the About WEP page.

updated February 7th

New save the dates in our Special Education Section!

February SETRC e-newsletter is now online.

ADVOCACY ALERT
Tamalin Martin, Education Chair January 2008

Comments needed on VESID and how it can improve its services

Your input is important. We have an opportunity to advocate. Please share your thoughts with VESID in regards to the below information.
Each year VESID, in cooperation with the State Rehabilitation Council, holds a series of public meetings to gather ideas on how VESID can improve services and results.

This year, VESID is particularly interested in obtaining your comments on interagency partnerships related to transition, supported employment and postsecondary education - areas where VESID anticipates change in policy, procedure and coordination over the next year.

Three public meetings will be held January 30, February 12 and 13, 2008 - in New York City, Albany and Rochester.

In addition, individuals can post comments related to the State Plan on an interactive web page throughout the public comment period (January 21 –February 28) at a public meeting. Electronic submission can be sent to VRpolicy@mail.nysed.gov or through the Virtual Public Meeting, http://discus.nysed.gov/cgi-bin/discus-mando/discus.cgi (available January 21, 2008 through February 25, 2008). In addition to the public meetings, recommendations can be submitted in writing to VESID, VR Policy and Partnerships Unit-Room 1603 (OCP), NYS Education Department, Albany, NY 12234.

The current State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment Services is available for review at: http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/stateplan/

By Laws

If you have questions regarding by laws please get in touch with our new by laws chair person, Tracy Ronnermann, tracyr_pta@yahoo.com

WEPR Fall Luncheon

On Monday, December 3rd, Westchester East Putnam Region hosted its annual Fall Luncheon at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains.

Jane Harsha welcomed the Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, Students, and PTA representatives from the Region & State. The 230 attendees were treated to sophisticated musical entertainment provided by the Ossining High School Wind Ensemble, directed by Rodrigo Vargas. Susan Berkow, NYS PTA Vice President brought greetings from the State PTA. She encouraged PTAs to recognize people who have made outstanding contributions to the welfare of children and youth or to a PTA organization, with a Distinguished Leadership Award. Rhea Vogel, NYS PTA Leadership Development Consultant, spoke about becoming a better advocate and applying for the Advocate in Action Award. Please to the New York State PTA website at www.nyspta.org/getInvolved/awards for further information

We enjoyed a delicious three course lunch and Mike Meehan, NYS PTA Presidential Assignee – Cyber Safety spoke about Keeping Your Child Safe on the Internet. His talk touched on many key points, including the need for parents to monitor internet use by children of all ages. He encouraged parents to keep computers in common areas of the house, visible to all; to supervise computer use; to know how to view the history of sites visited by children; to remind children not to give out personal information or chat with strangers.

IRS Filing Requirements
GENERAL GUIDELINES

PTAs with gross receipts less than $25,000 annually currently do not have to file
Beginning in 2008, exempt organizations with gross receipts under $25,000.00 must file an annual notice e-Postcard Form 990-N

*Exceptions:
If the organization received a Form 990-EZ package with a pre-addressed label, the IRS requires that a return be filed. Attach the label to the name and address space on the return, check box J in the heading to indicate the organization’s gross receipts are normally not more than $25,000. The organization is NOW required to complete the balance of the form. Sign the return, and send it to Internal Revenue Service, Ogden, Utah 84201-0027.
Who Must File Form 990-EZ?

PTAs with Gross Receipts less than $100,000 annually
PTAs with Total Assets less than $250,000 at end of fiscal year

Who Must File Form 990?

PTAs with Gross Receipts greater than $100,000 annually
PTAs with Total Assets greater than $250,000 at end of fiscal year

What Happens if Our PTA Doesn’t File a Return?

An organization that previously was required to file a form 990-EZ or 990 and does not inform the IRS that it is no longer required to file a return, can create a situation where its donors are not eligible for a tax deduction for a charitable contribution. The IRS will remove the organization from the approved list of organizations to receive charitable contributions.
An organization that is required to file a return, and does not, or files an incomplete return, is subject to a penalty of $20 a day not to exceed the smaller of $10,000 or 5% of the gross receipts of the organization for the year unless the organization can show reasonable cause. Please complete all forms in full to avoid being penalized for an incomplete return.

When Should Our PTA File a Return?
Returns are due to be filed by the 15th day of the 5th month after the organization’s accounting period ends. If an organization is liquidated, dissolved, or terminated, file the return by the 15th day of the 5th month after such action.

How Does a PTA Request an Extension?
File form 2758 to request an extension of time for filing the return.

QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR FEDERAL EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER? (FEIN/EIN )

Please contact your Region Director of the NYS PTA Treasurer.

Form 990-N, e-Postcard - Big News for PTAs
Small tax-exempt organizations whose gross receipts are normally less than $25,000 and were not required to file a Form 990EZ previously will now be required to file an information form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not Required To File Form 990 or 990-EZ. This filing requirement applies to tax periods beginning after December 31, 2006. Please note they refer to the tax year that begins after 2006 which for most PTAs will be July 1, 2007, requiring the first form to be filed in 2008, more specifically, November 15, 2008.

This form will be in electronic format only. Any organization that fails to meet its annual filing requirement for three consecutive years will have its tax-exempt status revoked.

The IRS website, www.irs.gov, has the most current information about this change under the Charities & Nonprofits tab. This tab contains a list of FAQs that are very helpful. PTA leaders should become familiar with this major change and how it will affect our local units.