BEE INVOLVED!!!
Volunteer opportunities are ample and open to all at Morris Brandon. We are now accepting Willingness to Chair forms for all of our PTA Committees for the 2012-2013 school year. It takes a lot of Worker Bees to keep our Hive buzzing, so please BEE Involved! Descriptions of the various committees are listed below; when you find a committee that you are interested in chairing, please download the Willingness to Chair form HERE, or signup ONLINE, and place it in the Bee Box slot at either campus. The deadline to submit your form is Tuesday, February 21, 2012. A list of current committee chairs may be found under "PTA-Board Members" on the homepage of this website.
If you have questions about a specific committee or the nominations process, please feel free to contact Leanne French (llfrench2001@yahoo.com) or Charlotte Goldfarb (cgoldfarb@bellsouth.net), PTA Presidents-Elect.
PTA COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS 2012 - 2013
FUNDRAISING/FINANCE
Auction: responsible for organizing one of Brandon’s largest fund-raisers held every other year. The committee must confirm an off-site location secure sponsorships and donations, create and print an invitation, create and publish a catalog of auction items, decorate the location, and organize checkout.
Bee Fund: responsible for a membership drive held at the beginning of the school,. year starting with the first PTA meeting. Our goal is to reach 100% participation of families and faculty members. This committee is responsible for designing and executing the campaign, receiving funds, following through with corporate matching gifts and writing thank you notes and distributing decals to all contributors.
Bingo Night: organize and run two bingo night fundraisers, one in the fall and one in the spring. This will involve communicating the dates of the events, handling registration, serving as emcees, and securing equipment, refreshments and prizes.
Book Fair: assist the Book Fair co-chairs in coordinating the fall and spring book fairs. Chair-elects will then accept the responsibility of chairing the Book Fair the following year.
Brandon Bee Jamboree: assist the Jamboree co-chairs in planning this family day in the fall, which offers games, food, fun and entertainment for the entire Brandon community.
Business Partnerships: build relationships with local businesses that are committed to supporting and enriching our educational programs and PTA events. Includes coordinating all committee requests for in-kind donations from partners.
Foundation Director: The Morris Brandon Elementary School Foundation (MBESF) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote and enrich the education and development of the students of Morris Brandon by providing financial support for the educational, fitness and athletic programs at Brandon. MBESF has 11 voting directors and 6 non-voting directors, who meet once a month to oversee the Foundation’s annual budget, to evaluate new funding requests, and to help manage the Foundation’s operations. Directors must adhere to the Foundation’s By-Laws, Conflicts of Interest Policy and other requirements designed to promote MBESF’s purpose and protect its IRS-authorized status. All Directors are elected for a one-year term, but Directors can be re-elected for subsequent additional one-year terms.
Fun Run: assist the Fun Run co-chairs in coordinating this one-mile fun run in the spring. Chair-elects then accept the responsibility of chairing the Fun Run the following year.
Read-A-Thon: assist the Read-A-Thon co-chairs in organizing and implementing Brandon’s newest fundraiser. This job involves promoting the event, recruiting and managing parent volunteers, preparing and distributing student packets, securing prizes, creating incentives, developing partnerships and implementing theme days.
Tree Sale: assist the Tree Sale co-chairs in coordinating the sale of trees, wreaths and other holiday items in early December.
COMMUNITY
Bee Green: works with the teachers and administration to coordinate and implement our school’s environmental-friendly efforts, such as the recycling and no idling programs.
Brandon Food Pantry: responsible for conducting food drives throughout the year, and organizing and promoting the food pantry
Corporate Rewards: responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships between neighborhood businesses and Morris Brandon (Publix, Box Tops, etc.).
Community Enrichment: responsible for arranging a speaker series, which is open to the Brandon community and relevant to the issues children and parents face daily
Jump Rope for Heart: works with the Brandon P.E. teacher and PE Liaisons to plan this February fundraiser for the American Heart Association.
Junior Achievement Committee: coordinates a parent for each classroom to teach Junior Achievement and distribute Junior Achievement materials.
Prospective Parents: This committee is responsible for planning and hosting two events (spring and fall) for prospective Kindergarten students and parents (our Kindergarten Coffee and our Ice Cream Social), coordinating and directing tours of the school for parents of prospective Brandon students, and providing prospective parents with packets of information regarding various school policies, procedures and PTA information. This committee will work closely with the administration to make certain the needs of our prospective parents/students are met.
Public Relations: coordinates publicity in local media and updates promotional brochures and flyers.
Roots and Shoots / Community Service Club: selects and coordinates school-wide community projects throughout the year. This is Brandon’s opportunity to reach out and give back to our community. This committee will also be responsible for recognizing student achievements both inside and outside of the school.
Sutton Liaison: responsible for publicity of Sutton Middle School events and programs to Brandon students and parents
IN-HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS/EVENTS
Brandon Bee Editor: responsible for accepting articles for the weekly school e-newsletter. The Editor will work closely with the Principal and PTA Co-Presidents to edit the newsletter before publishing. The Editor will also work closely with the Newsletter Distributor to coordinate the distribution of hard copies of the Bee to those who require hard copies. Computer skills are a must.
Back-to-School “Beenanza” (formerly Celebration of Learning): This committee organizes the Back-to-School Bonanza, when parents come with their students to pick up school supplies (ordered and organized by the School Supply Committee), sign up for volunteer jobs, meet their teacher and see the classroom before school starts. Typically, the Celebration of Learning (Bonanza) is held the Friday before school begins.
Big Bee Envelope (BBE): prepare, organize and distribute all communication regarding PTA events, fundraisers, required school forms in one medium at the beginning of the school year through our Room Parent coordinators and Room Parents.
Dads Breakfast Committee: organize the annual Dads Breakfast.
Directory: prepare, publish and distribute the school directory, which is issued in September.
E Parent: Coordinate and address technology issues throughout the school.
Field Day: work with the PE teacher and PE Liaison to coordinate the opening ceremonies and field day activities, which are held in May.
Logo Items: coordinate the sale of Morris Brandon logo items and cookbook.
Walk to School Day: work with the PE teacher and PE Liaison to coordinate Walk to School Days in the fall and spring.
Watchdog Dads: responsible for organizing and implementing the Watchdog Dad program throughout the school year, and planning the Dads Pizza Night.
Yearbook / Historian: assist with school picture days (fall & spring) and with the fund raising for and publishing of the annual yearbook; photograph and document all school events by compiling a scrapbook for the year.
OPERATIONS
Art Committee: work with the art teachers to display students’ artwork and assist the art teacher as needed. Every other year (next will be Spring 2014) responsibilities include coordinating the “Night of the Arts” event.
Attendance Recognition Committee: work closely with the Principal to coordinate attendance recognition awards.
Grade Level Coordinators: these coordinators work closely with the grade level teachers and room parents to plan and organize special activities, events and fundraisers throughout the year.
Kindergarten Coordinator
1st Grade Coordinator
2nd Grade Coordinator
3rd Grade Coordinator
4th Grade Coordinator
5th Grade Coordinator
Grounds/Field Committee: coordinate the maintenance of the school grounds throughout the year for all areas, including the track and field and outdoor classroom.
Health / Safety: This committee works with the school nurses and assists them as needed. Also, this committee will address and resolve any issues that effect the safety of our children when entering/leaving school (may include street safety, crosswalks and working with the school policemen).
Hospitality: host the Holiday Coffee and end of the year luncheon for PTA Committee Chairs and coordinate and organize refreshments for all general PTA meetings and other school events as needed.
Interiors: oversee the maintenance and appearance of the interior of the school throughout the year.
Lost and Found: oversee the lost and found closets and distribute labeled found items to the teachers.
Media Center Committee: coordinate volunteers in the school’s media centers.
Morning Parent Committee: These volunteers man the front reception desk (at both campuses); responsibilities including tracking changes in student transportation, recording tardy arrivals and monitoring the front lobby in the morning.
PE Liaison/ Jump Rope Team: work with the PE teacher to help coordinate Jump Rope team practices and work with the chairs of Field Day, Jump Rope for Heart and Walk to School Day.
Room Parent: these volunteers work closely with the classroom teachers to fill various classroom needs and disburse information to the class parents on a timely basis.
Room Parent Coordinator: coordinate the distribution of information to the Grade level coordinators regarding school events and grade level events and activities.
School Supplies: responsible for ordering school supplies for the upcoming year and coordinating the sale of school supplies at the Celebration of Learning.
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Committee: recognize teachers and staff throughout the year by planning teacher luncheons and recognizing birthdays. The first luncheon is during pre-planning the week before school (usually catered sandwiches).
Teacher Workroom/Teacher Supplies Committee: keep the teacher workrooms organized and keep the teachers supplied with basic necessities throughout the school year.
Transportation committee: This committee is comprised of the chairs for the Bus and Carpool committees along with members.
Bus Liaison: to be responsible for coordinating and distributing bus route lists (once published by APS). The bus chairperson will serve as
a liaison between Brandon parents and APS to resolve any bus issues that arise during the year.
Carpool Liaison: to be responsible for coordinating and distributing carpool numbers. Attend Back to School “Beenanza” to distribute
carpool numbers to families and answer questions related to carpool. This committee will work closely with the Safety Committee, and
assists parents and faculty to ensure the first few weeks of carpool run smoothly.
Wellness Committee: work closely with the PE teacher and others to help promote wellness issues.