PTSA Committees
How We Are Organized
All who join Issaquah Middle PTSA are part of our general membership.
Officers, who make up our Executive Committee, are elected by the general membership in the spring to serve for the following school year.
Committee Chairs are appointed by the president with approval of the executive committee.
The Board of Directors consists of elected officers and appointed standing committee chairpersons.

Our PTSA Organization Chart shows our officers and all committee chairpersons.

The business of the PTSA, including reports from the school administration and committee chairs, is conducted at our monthly general membership meetings. All are welcome to attend these meetings and all PTSA members may vote.


Officers and Committees 2010-2010
Our officer positions and committees are listed below. For a description, click on the name of office or committee.
For more information or to volunteer, please go to the committee's webpage and/or send an email to . Your email will be forwarded to the committee chair.
Office/Committee Officer/Chairperson webpage
President Kristen Allen-Bentsen
Camille Vaska
 
Executive Vice President    
Secretary Jennifer Deeny  
Treasurer Anne Watanabe  
VP Hospitality Maria Nelson  
Karen Starcevich  
April Green  
Karen Starcevich  
Karista Bennett  
Karista Bennett
Denise Batura
Robbi Duff
 
Laurie Foreman
Christina Fisher
 
VP Communications Onti Rosen  
   
   
Shelly Hall Legislation webpage
Sharie Murphy  
  Parent Education webpage
David Johnson  
 Sandra Lum Special Services webpage  
Dianne Bugge  
Natalie Hancock  
Heidi Klansnic  
  Sally Moore  
Bert Jones  
David Johnson  
VP Ways & Means    
Anne Moore  
Alison Meryweather ISF webpage
Elaine Sakamoto  
Kate Badiozamani   Friday Cookie Sales Calendar
Deanna Talley  
Therese Mille  
   
VP Programs Sandra Lum  
 
Laurie Foreman
Anne Watanabe
 
Katie Milne  
Elaine Sakamoto Golden Acorn and Outstanding Educator webpage
Mary Okada  
Christina Fisher Panther Passage webpage
Jill Lenhart Reflections webpage
VP Volunteers Shannon Jasman
Kim Dreiblatt
 
Dianne Bugge
Kari Alexander
WalkAbout webpage
 Stacy Eastern  
   
Pam Nordquist  
Sari Israel  
Anne Livingston  
Denise Batura
Robbi Duff
 
  • denotes Standing Committee
  • denotes Ad Hoc Committee
 


President
The President of the PTSA presides at all meetings, plans meeting agendas and co-signs all binding agreements. Makes appointments to positions and committees as designated in the Standing Rules with approval of the Executive Committee.
Serves as ex-officio member of all committees except nominating committee. Disseminates and communicates all information received pertinent to PTSA programs. Attends and votes as delegate to Issaquah PTSA Council.
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Executive Vice President
The Executive Vice President performs the duties of the President(s) in the absence or inability of that officer to serve. Assists President(s) when called upon. Records all motions at meetings.
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Secretary
The Secretary Keeps accurate minutes of all meetings, and works with President(s) to establish meeting agendas. At meetings, the Secretary records attendance and determines existence of quorum. Notifies President(s) of any unfinished business and is responsible for correspondence as designated by President(s). Keeps complete roster of the membership of all standing and special committees. Maintains a copy of the Legal Documents notebook.
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Treasurer
Keeps accurate financial records at all times. Receives, issues receipts and deposits promptly in an authorized account all monies and disburses monies from authorized account according to the approved annual budget. Presents a written financial statement at each regular meeting and at other times as required by the President. Provides all financial records if requested by the President or membership. Serves as chairperson of the budget committee and presents the budget to the membership. Closes books on June 30th and submits the books and records for review to the Financial Review committee of no fewer than 3 members appointed by the President(s).
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VP Communications
Liaison to the Executive Committee for the following committees: ASB Liaison; Language Liaison; Legislation Representative; Newsletter Editor/Publisher; Parent Education Coordinator; School Site Council Liaison; Special Services Liaison; Website; Back to School Check In/First Day Packets; Emergency Preparedness; Financial Review; Student Directory; and Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (in election years.)
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VP Hospitality
Liaison to the Executive Committee for the following committees: Baking Coordinator/Beverages for Student Testing; 5th Grade Open House/Curriculum Night; Fall Staff Luncheon; Staff Appreciation Week; and Staff Holiday Breakfast.
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VP Programs
Liaison to the Executive Committee for the following committees: Community Fun Night; Community Outreach; Gift-A-Book; Golden Acorn/OE Awards; Most Valuable People; Reflections; and Panther Passage (formerly known as Spring Forum)
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VP Volunteers
Liaison to the Executive Committee for the following committees: WalkAbout; 8th Grade Cruise/Events; 8th Grade Promotion; Library Coordinator; Back to School Check In Coordinator; School Beautification; and Vision/Hearing.
Maintains master volunteer list and disseminates lists of volunteers to committee chairpersons. Is the liaison to the school for volunteer needs and sends out volunteer requests via email to a designated list of volunteers.
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VP Ways and Means
Liaison to the Executive Committee for the following committees: Membership; Issaquah Schools Foundation Liaison; Corporate Rebates; Friday Cookie Sales; Logowear; Pass the Hat; and Salmon Days Parking.
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5th Grade Open House/Curriculum Night
Coordinates the buying, set-up and clean-up of refreshments for incoming 6th graders and their parents at 5th Grade Open House and also for Curriculum Night. The chair also contacts the baking coordinator if volunteers are needed to provide baked goods. If volunteers are needed to help with the event, the chair will contact the VP of Volunteers or gather volunteers personally. The VP of Hospitality will provide the chair with current event budget and available supplies.
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8th Grade cruise/Events
This committee works with the school to organize the 8th grade cruise near the end of the school year, and any other 8th grade events as necessary.
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8th Grade Assembly
This committee works with the school to organize the 8th grade promotion ceremony. Works with IMS staff to produce and mail the promotion invitations and programs. The chair secures volunteers for set-up and tear-down of the community center where the promotion takes place and the IMS Commons where the reception takes place, and also secures reception hosts. The chair/committee coordinates the reception and purchases all the supplies and food for the reception.
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ASB Liaison
Supports the ASB class in its organization and endeavors and may attend weekly planning meetings with the class (but it is not required as long as there is good communication with the ASB Advisor. The Liaison usually has a son or daughter in the class to help with this also.) The ASB Liaison reports on ASB activities at the monthly PTSA meetings, and if unable to attend, passes any information to the VP Communications to report. He/she also acts as the go-between for the Advisor and other ASB related activity chairs such as Friday Cookie Sales, the Magazine Drive, and Student Dances.
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Back to School Check In Coordinator
The Back to School Check In chair coordinates the volunteers for the back to school registration in August. The chair recruits the volunteers for the different stations, works with the principal's secretary to make sure the stations adequately are manned, and fills in where necessary during the three registration days.
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Back to School Check In/First Day Packets
PTSA forms that are to be included in the Back to School Check In packets are updated, printed, and organized to be stuffed on packet stuffing day (early August). Volunteers are needed to help stuff these forms and others into envelopes prepared the day before.  The stuffed envelopes are then hand delivered to the School District Administration Office to be mailed out.  On the day before the first day of school, there is another larger packet stuffing event.  For this First Day packet stuffing task, the chair needs to recruit even more volunteers as there is double the amount of material to be stuffed.
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Baking Coordinator/Beverages for Student Testing
Manages the distribution list of volunteers who are willing to bake for various PTSA events throughout the school year. The list is provided to the coordinator by the VP of Volunteers at the beginning of the year. The coordinator receives requests from committee chairs for specified baking needs, notifies bakers of event/need, and communicates the details of delivery determined by the committee chair to the bakers. The committee chairs may contact the baking coordinator directly or contact the VP of Hospitality who will contact the coordinator. This position is separate from the Friday cookie sales fundraiser. Also coordinates the purchase and serving of beverages to all students during MSP testing.
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Community Fun Night
Organize one evening event designed to bring families together in a social setting at IMS.  Chair plans theme, determines event components such as activities, volunteers and food, and oversees event.  The VP of Programs will provide the chair with current budget and available supplies.
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Community Outreach/Angel Program
Develop programs and/or activities to assist members of our school community who have basic needs.  The VP of Programs will provide the chair with the current budget.
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Corporate Rebates
The Corporate Rebates committee works with companies who give back a percentage of money to our PTSA. Matthew's Thriftway in Lakemont and Box Tops For Education are the main programs for IM PTSA.
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Emergency Preparedness
This committee performs an inventory and update of emergency backpacks that are kept in all classrooms at the start of the school year. The school has a container that is available to store other emergency items. For the 2007-2008 school year, it has been proposed that the Emergency Preparedness Committee compile a list of useful/needed items and work to obtain them.
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Fall Staff Luncheon
A luncheon is served to all staff at the beginning of the school year.  The chair determines a menu and buys, makes or requests from volunteers desired food items. The chair also finds needed volunteers for set-up, food prep and clean-up at the event. The lunch is held at school on a date determined by the principal’s secretary. The VP of Hospitality will provide the chair with current event budget and available supplies.
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Financial Review
The Financial Review Committee performs one to two reviews per year - a recommended, mid-year review in January and a required end of year financial review as soon as possible after the school year closes. It is helpful to have it completed in July so that the new treasurer can receive it. The Finanacial Review Committee consists of three people. Guidelines are available in the State PTA's "Money Matters” booklet which can be found online. A summary is written and given to the Treasurer, President, and the VP of Communications. A report is also given at a general membership or board of directors’ meeting.
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Friday Cookie Sales
The chair coordinates the baking and sale of Otis Spunkmeyer cookies at lunches each Friday. Works with the school bookkeeper to plan start date and make sure all supplies are adequate. Gets from PTSA VP Volunteers a list of volunteers for Friday Cookie Sales. Explains information about job and time commitment to all volunteers, schedules bakers, and trains new bakers. Encourages all bakers to get food handlers permit. Weekly, the chair makes sure bakers are scheduled, sends reminders, and ensures the room is cleaned properly.
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Gift-A-Book
The IMS Gift-A-Book program is a way for parents to recognize a child's memorable occasion or simply make a generous donation to the school's library. Parents either donate a book or send a check. If a check is sent then the librarian purchases a book to honor that donation. A book plate to honor the designee is placed in each book. Books can also be ordered by the donor via the school library web site. The site provides a wish list which links to Amazon.com. All books purchased this way will be shipped directly to our library.
The duties of the Gift-A-Book chair include keeping track of all donations (money and books), filling in the name on the book plate, and sending thank you cards after books have been purchased or donated.
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Golden Acorn/OE Awards
A Golden Acorn Award is presented by the PTSA to a volunteer(s) in recognition of his/her dedication and service to children and youth. Recipients are honored at an IM PTSA meeting and at a district-wide reception, receive a gold pin, and a contribution in their name is made by IM PTSA to the Washington State PTA Scholarship Foundation.
Outstanding Educator Award(s) are presented to a teacher or staff person in recognition of his/her dedication and service to children and youth. Recipients of the award are honored at an IMS staff meeting, receive a gold pin, and a contribution in their name is made by IM PTSA to the Washington State PTA Scholarship Foundation.
The chairperson solicits nominations for both awards in December/January. The committee meets 1-2 times in late January/early February to review the nominations, and a rubric is used in making the decision of who the recipients will be.
For current information, please visit our Golden Acorn and Outstanding Educator webpage.

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Issaquah Schools Foundation Liaison
Coordinates table of 10 people to attend the annual Issaquah Schools Foundation fundraising luncheon in October. Coordinates volunteers for annual ISF Calling for Kids campaign in the spring. Communicates information from ISF to the PTSA through the Panther Press and the PTSA website.
For current information on ISF, please visit our ISF webpage.

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Language Liaison
Develop methods to help non-English speaking families understand school practices, policies, and programs, and connect these families to local education and community resources.  The VP of Communications will provide the chair with current budget.
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Legislation
Reports ongoing legislative issues to the group at PTSA meetings. If not able to attend, the rep passes any information to the VP of Communications to report. Legislative information can be added by this person to the Panther Press or the website, or emailed to people requesting the information. Is the PTSA’s voting delegate at the State PTA Legislative Assembly in the fall.
For current Legislation information, visit our Legislation page.

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Library Coordinator
The library coordinator solicits and organizes volunteers to help inventory books at the end of each school year. He/she also may organize volunteers for other library tasks at the request of the librarian.
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Logowear
The committee chair starts with an information and order form for the following year, turned into the office on the last day of the school. The committee is in charge of promoting logowear sales during back to school check in days and the first four weeks of school. Promotion includes: putting up flyers around school hall, displaying sample sweatshirts and t-shirts in the glass display case in the Commons; and having announcements made during the “Daily Morning Quah”, reminding kids to order logowear. The chair enters orders into a spreadsheet for tracking and turns in deposits to treasurer. The logowear order is placed by the second week of October, for distribution during lunches in the first week of November. The chair lines up volunteers to assist with sorting and distribution, and coordinates distribution days with office secretary. The chair maintains a binder with procedures and current year’s order information.
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Membership
Membership in IM PTSA is open to all who support the mission of advocacy for the welfare of children and youth in the home, school, and community. Membership fees are determined by the general membership and stated in our Standing Rules. The membership chair is responsible for entering all members into the State PTA database. The chair works with the treasurer to ensure fees collected match the number of members recorded, and that fees are remitted to the PTSA Council. The chair also works with the Student Directory committee to distribute directories to all members. Volunteers are needed to collect memberships at Back to School Check In days, help with membership promotions, and help prepare the directories for mailing.
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Most Valuable Panther
Each month, a positive value trait(s) is selected (such as honesty, helpfulness, kindness, etc.) and communicated to IMS staff by the Principal. Staff are then requested to turn in names of students they observe displaying those positive values and those students are designated as “Most Valuable People”. On one day of the month (usually the last Friday), this committee organizes and serves ice cream sundaes during lunches to that month’s recipients. Students’ names are also displayed near the school office for the month.
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Newsletter Editor/Publisher
Receives PTSA-related articles and edits them as needed, consulting the persons submitting the articles as necessary. Before sending the completed PTSA pages to the School's Editor, the PTSA President(s) will review the section. The IMS Newsletter Editor works with Office Staff to edit and compile school news, adding the PTSA portion to the whole. It is possible for the PTSA and the IMS Newsletter Editors to be the same person.
Issues of the Panther Press are posted on the Issaquah Middle School website.
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Panther Passage
Panther Passage (formerly known as Spring Forum) is an event in the spring that celebrates the middle school experience of each 8th grade student. Teachers work with the students to save favorite projects and assignments throughout their middle school careers. The students then put this together, along with any other outside interests/talents they've experienced, to create a 20-30 minute presentation for two community members. It's a real celebration of that student's history.
The teachers take care of scheduling the students and getting them prepared. The parent Panther Passage committee works several weeks/months in advance to schedule enough community volunteers to listen to the student presentations and to monitor the actual event.
Panther Passage runs for approximately 3 weeks in late May and early June during the school day, and the committee usually begins planning in February. Tasks include, but are not limited to: publicity; recruitment of volunteers; scheduling; managing paperwork; and refreshments coordination. Many volunteers are needed to listen/validate the students’ presentations.
For current information, visit our Panther Passage webpage.

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Parent Education
Attends occasional Parent Education planning meetings with other Parent Ed Reps in the District (approximately 2 or 3 per year). Parent Education listings from the district, school, and community are posted on the Issaquah PTSA Council and Issaquah School District websites, and additional e-mail notifications are sent to the Coordinator of upcoming seminars that the parent population may be interested in attending. The Coordinator then sends the information to the PTSA Newsletter editor and webmaster, and contacts counselors, teachers or administrative staff as is appropriate. It is possible to organize speakers on certain subjects at our school if the Coordinator would like to, but is not necessary. The primary responsibility is spreading the word about the seminars.
A summary of current Parent Education offerings can be found on our Parent Education webpage.

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Pass the Hat
The Pass the Hat committee prepares and mails acknowledgments to all who donated to the Pass the Hat fundraiser.
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Reflections
The Reflections Program is a National PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to express their creative talents through their own original works in the areas of literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, dance choreography, and film/video. Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. Deadline for entries is usually in late fall. The theme and more information can be found on our Reflections page.
The committee is responsible for promoting the program, collecting and judging entries, and forwarding finalists’ entries on to the district level. The committee also coordinates the recognition of all students’ entries.
For current Reflections information, visit our Reflections webpage.

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Salmon Days Parking
IM PTSA sells parking spots at the school and Julius Boehm pool during the Salmon Days Festival on the first weekend of October. The chair is responsible for registering with the Festival, organizing volunteers, and managing the funds collected. Volunteers are needed to collect parking fees direct the parking of cars.
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School Beautification
The school beautification chair organizes work parties to weed the front border and the borders between the corridors. The chair also buys plants to maintain the planters by the front entry and the two in the sunken area. The school will often provide beauty bark to be spread by volunteers if arranged for in advance. If she/he is a "plantaholic", the chair can also buy appropriate plants (remember many get little supplemental water in the summer) to fill in holes around the school grounds.
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School Site Council Liaison
Attends the monthly school Site Council meetings and reports at PTSA Meetings. If the rep is unable to attend the PTSA meeting, the information is passed on to the VP of Communications for presentation.
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Special Services Laison
Assists special education students and their families by linking them to various resources and support groups in the community. Works with special education teachers in coordinating events ( get togethers, seminars). Informs PTSA of any special education events and needs. Collaborates with Parent Education chair on any seminars/events. Attends ISD PTSA Parent Education/Special Education meetings and IMS PTSA meetings. Keeps Special Education Community Resource binder in IMS Library current.
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Staff Appreciation Week
Determine and coordinate various events throughout Staff Appreciation Week. Chairs plan theme, determine daily events or treats and organize a team of volunteers who help manage the weeklong details. This event is held on dates closely following the national teacher appreciation week dates and approved by the VP of Hospitality. The VP of Hospitality will provide the chair with current event budget.
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Staff Holiday Breakfast
Coordinates the winter holiday staff breakfast. The chair determines a menu and buys, makes or requests from volunteers desired food items. The chair also finds needed volunteers for set-up, food prep and clean-up at the event. The breakfast is held before school in the staff lounge on a date coordinated with the principal’s secretary. The VP of Hospitality will provide the chair with current event budget and available supplies.
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Student Directory
The Student Directory chair obtains the student, staff and other relevant information from the registrar as soon as possible after the school year starts. There are computer records and a notebook available to help. After the document is complete, it is sent to the President(s) for review and then out to copy. The Directory Chair consults with the Membership Chair to determine how many copies need to be printed. The Membership Chair obtains the mailing labels from the PTA.
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Vision / Hearing
This committee assists the school nurse with vision and hearing testing in the fall of each year, usually on a morning in October. The chair secures volunteers, acts as the lead in assisting the nurse in coordinating volunteers the day of the testing, and secures water and a little snack for volunteers on the date of the testing.
The chair contacts the school nurse at the beginning of the year to find out the exact date and time for the vision and hearing screening, and confirms with the nurse how many volunteers are needed (16 in the past.) The chair secures volunteers and snacks, asking the PTSA baking coordinator for snacks, if desired. The chair coordinates with the school nurse to send thank yous to the volunteers.
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Volunteers for Issaquah Schools
Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS) is a private organization that organizes and runs campaigns to help pass levy and bond issues in the school district. The PTSA chairperson is reponsible for being a liaison between the PTSA and VIS. Tasks include communicating to the PTSA membership about VIS activities, and may include soliciting volunteers for phoning, preparing mailings, placing yard signs, etc.
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WalkAbout
The WalkAbout Program at IMS is a PTSA sponsored, school supported, parent staffed program that provides a positive adult presence on campus during peak traffic times. The additional adult presence discourages inappropriate behavior allowing students to feel safe. It also gives parents the opportunity to volunteer in an area that directly impacts their child's safety and gives them an additional connection to a big part of their child's day.
For current information about WalkAbout, please visit the WalkAbout webpage.

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Website
The chairperson is responsible for keeping the Issaquah Middle PTSA website (www.issaquahmiddleptsa.org) current by updating the site once a week or as needed.
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