Newsflash June/July 2025 by MiPTA

As we reflect on a season of connection, growth, and action, this issue of Newsflash is a celebration of all that grounds us—and all that helps us grow. From our Annual Convention’s powerful theme, “Feeding Our Roots,” to the energy of statewide Founder’s Day celebrations, the inspiring voices of student members, and the creativity of this year’s Reflections artists, we are reminded that Michigan PTA’s strength lies in its people—of every age.

In these pages, you'll find reflections on advocacy, outreach, and artistic brilliance—along with welldeserved recognition of this year’s student scholarship winners. These young changemakers represent the future we’re working for: one rooted in equity, empowerment, and opportunity for every child.

Let’s continue growing together.

With gratitude,

Beth Hulett Vice President for Communications

PRESIDENT’SCORNER

President’s Corner

As the first year of my three-year term is wrapping up, I’m looking back on the year I themed: “Deep Roots, Strong Foundation – making connection through our long history and shared mission.” I had the privilege of visiting many councils and units this year. You can see pictures in other parts of the Newsflash. Preparing for Founder’s Day and unit training events gave me a chance to revisit the amazing things PTA has done over the years. I have been inspired by that strong foundation to reenergize members in the state to continue (and in some cases repeat!) that work.

Next year, our theme shifts to “Strength in Every Branch – celebrating the unique contributions of every family and community member.” As we continue our work, the talents of members like you are what make our organization a formidable force for children. If you have time, consider sharing your abilities as a state-level volunteer. We welcome folks to support Michigan PTA for any amount they can, from one-time project or event support to leading a committee or taking a board seat.

We also need your strength at Advocacy Day on June 25th in Lansing. This is a chance to tell your legislators face-to-face that you are a PTA member to advocate for every child to reach their potential. There are so many things that are at risk right now, from overall school funding, to free lunch programs, to mental health support, and school safety. Our collective voice makes a difference! I hope to see you there.

Each newsflash I will include a quick suggestion, resource or idea that you will hopefully find helpful and timely. You can suggest a topic or ask a question to be covered in a future issue by clicking the link.

Strength in Every Branch

ADVOCACY DAY JUNE 25, 2025 Register

8:30 A.M. - 2:00P.M.

Lansing

We invite you to have a voice in developing the focus of Michigan PTA’s Legislative Platform and learn about emerging issues.

Michigan PTA’s Advocacy Day is focused on grassroots advocacy – the cornerstone of PTA! Since our founding, PTA has recognized the importance of advocacy in improving the lives of our nation’s children. Attend Advocacy Day to become more effective advocates, and to share your knowledge with others. This is a great opportunity for adults and students to learn new skills.

Agenda:

8:30 a.m. – Registration open, light continental breakfast, coffee, water

9:00 a.m. – Group photo on the West steps

9:30 a.m. – Program begins

11:00 a.m. – Box lunch (can be eaten on the go or in the room)

12:30 p.m. – Program ends. Attendees may proceed to their scheduled meetings with state legislators

Registration is $25 for adults and $10 for students and closes June 18, 2025 at 11:59 pm!

Info: michiganpta.org/advocacy-day-2024

Questions? childadvocacyvp@michiganpta.org

Michigan State Capitol, Heritage Hall 100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933

Michigan

Advocacy in Action

From Medicaid protection to school safety policies, PTA members are standing tall for Michigan’s children —raising their voices in Lansing, building bridges with legislators, and championing the well-being, equity, and future of every student across our state.

Smooth Transitions

Close out the school year successfully so you can relax over the summer – and be ready to go in September! Here is a handy checklist to help make the transition go smoothly.

In addition, the Givebacks team is offering live and pre-recorded webinars for Givebacks transition tips!

Before June 30 (the end of the fiscal year)

Remit remaining membership dues to Michigan PTA under Memberships in Givebacks.

Remember, all dues paid after June 30 will be charged the new $6.50/member rate, even for prior year memberships.

Enter newly elected officers into Givebacks under 2025-2026 in the Compliance section

If you have a new treasurer, transfer ownership of the Stripe account in the Financial Management section of Givebacks.

Arrange for the Financial Review (Audit) by setting up a committee or securing an accountant as described in your bylaws.

Prepare a budget for 2025-2026, approved by the members at a meeting, so you can spend money over the summer to get ready for back-to-school events.

After June 30

The outgoing treasurer

o Prepares the year-end Treasurer’s Report after the June bank statement is received.

o Provides the materials for the financial review to the committee or auditor.

o Ensures the IRS 990 report is filed after the financial review is complete.

o Transfers materials and electronic access to accounts, software, etc. to the incoming treasurer.

Register the signatures of the new check-signing officers at the bank. The officers with check signing roles are specified in your bylaws.

All officers and committee chairpeople

Update your procedure manuals (binders, OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.)

Deliver your procedures, accounts and passwords, and other advice to the new officers and chairpeople

Contact Lisa Roscoe, VP Outreach and Support (outreachsupportvp@michiganpta.org) or Sandy Winkler, Treasurer (treasurer@michiganpta.org) if you have any questions.

Free Virtual Training!

Engage in your own time and place

Thrive with all new training materials? Either way, you should check it out!

Suggested Summer Courses

Here are some course to check out this summer while you prep for the fall:

PTA All Leader: Over All the Others – PTA has a long and successful history as the oldest child advocacy organization!

• PTA All Leader: Parliamentary Procedure – Welcome to Parliamentary Procedure! In this course you will learn how following Roberts Rules of Order can lead to a cohesive, inclusive, and productive meeting.

• PTA Leadership Module: Communications – This leadership module covers all that's necessary for good communications from your state and local PTA, from branding to doing audience research to establishing protocols for communication.

• PTA Local Leaders: How to Host Successful Hybrid Meetings and Events – This training is designed to help local PTAs host hybrid meetings and events like speaker presentations and panel discussions.

Registering for Thrive

You can find it on PTA.org under “Run Your PTA”, look for “Thrive Learning Community”. You can also find some of the classic PTA eLearning there as well. Click on “Learn more about Thrive” to register if you haven’t already. You will need to have your National PTA ID handy. If you aren’t registered with National PTA you can Create a Profile.

Summer Leadership Academy

Save the date for the Summer Leadership Academy at Rochester High School!

On August 9, 2025, PTA leaders across Michigan will gather for a full day of expertled workshops and practical sessions designed for all PTA unit positions. Whether you serve as President, Treasurer, Secretary, or in another vital role, you’ll find targeted learning and skill-building to empower your leadership journey, as well as sessions focused on effective chairmanship, family-school partnerships, and key programs like Reflections.

Come solo or bring your whole PTA team and save! Special group pricing is now available—register a team of four at a discounted rate, making it easier for entire boards to participate and beneﬁt together. This group admission helps your unit maximize learning while minimizing costs.

Take advantage of extensive offerings, including in-depth sessions on fundraising, conflict resolution, grant writing, familyschool partnerships, effective meetings, and signature programs like Reflections. Network with other leaders during roundtables and interactive activities, share ideas, and head into the new year inspired and prepared.

Whether you're new to PTA leadership or looking for advanced tips and updates, this event will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and support needed for a successful year ahead. Don’t miss this opportunity— registration is now open. Secure your spot early to enjoy the best savings, and remember to register as a group to maximize your value!

Local to State: Grow Your Impact with Michigan PTA

Michigan PTA is dedicated to making every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Our mission is integral to everything we do, and we are delighted to announce three open volunteer positions that allow you to actively participate in this endeavor.

Open MI PTA Board Positions

Vice President of Children's Advocacy: Be the champion for children's voices! You will lead state legislative eﬀorts and collaborate with local PTAs, promoting grassroots education and advocacy. The Vice President of Children’s Advocacy is part of the Michigan PTA Board and Executive Committee and chairs the Children's Advocacy and Resolutions Committees. Responsibilities include submitting annual plans and reports, representing the PTA on legislative issues, promoting grassroots advocacy, collaborating on the Michigan PTA Advocacy Day event, and assisting with legislative and advocacy tasks. The role involves coordinating resolutions, position statements, and advocacy awards. This two-year role is ideal for policy enthusiasts dedicated to children's welfare. PTA membership and experience in advocacy are required.

Vice President of Events: Are events your passion? Bring your innovative event strategies to life as the Vice President for Events with the Michigan PTA, serving a two-year term as part of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Responsibilities include submitting annual plans of work and reports, chairing the Convention and Summer Leadership Academy Committees, and coordinating the annual Advocacy Day and State Reﬂection Ceremony. The role requires maintaining sponsor and vendor relationships, aiding fund development and collaborating with other VPs and sponsors to ensure our events align with the PTA’s mission.

Vice President of Programs: Shape the future of PTA programs as you oversee initiatives like Family Engagement and Health and Wellness Programs. The Vice President for Programs serves a two-year term and plays a vital role on the Michigan PTA Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Key responsibilities include developing an annual work plan, preparing activity reports for board meetings and the Annual Convention, and chairing the Programs Committee. This position oversees various programs such as Reﬂections, Awards, Family Engagement, and Health and Wellness, while identifying beneﬁts for members.

Each position requires commitment to attend board and committee meetings regularly, and candidates must be members of a local PTA/PTSA or Great Lakes PTA. If you're excited to contribute to education and advocacy in Michigan, consider joining the Michigan PTA Board of Directors today!

Image by John Hain from Pixabay

A year ago, Michigan PTA became a coalion member of End Gun Violence Michigan. The goal of End Gun Violence Michigan is to pass common sense gun violence prevenon laws in Michigan that will save lives. Guns are the #1 cause of death for children and teens in our state. Michigan’s secure storage law, which went into eﬀect in February of 2024, is parcularly focused on keeping guns out of kids' hands. The addional passage of Safe Homes, Safe Schools (SHSC) last December provides an opportunity to reach parents and caregivers across the state directly about secure storage. The Safe Homes, Safe Schools Law expands on the Secure Storage Law by mandangMichigan school districts, private and public, to annually remind and update parents abot the secure ﬁrearm storage law.

The End Gun Violence Michigan (EGVMI)’s Safe Homes, Safe Schools Acon Team’s goal is to ulize school policy and communicaon as a mechanism to educate parents on steps that they can take to keep their children safe from ﬁrearms. EGVMI is working to ensure that school boards across the state are aware of Safe Homes, Safe Schools and that they have a plan to implement it. Safe Homes, Safe Schools materials will be distributed in school districts in October, and concerns and quesons around the process will be addressed. We are organizing in two ways: Individual volunteers across the state can elect to take part in EGVMI’s community educators program, and provide materials to their school district about Safe Homes, Safe Schools (endgunviolencemi.org/communityed).

Coalition organizations can choose to host this work in a school district where they have a grassroots base. Both efforts will encourage an ongoing conversation with school districts about the role that firearms play in school safety. Volunteers will be trained on the law and on how to speak with school boards, and will attend school board meetings with resources about Safe Homes, Safe Schools. They will report back to EGVMI about any pushback, questions, or concerns about the law. School districts can implement processes beyond Safe Homes, Safe Schools to promote secure storage, such as:

Creating additional materials to hand out with the MDHHS handouts, such as ones that are culturally relevant to their parents, or provide guidance on speaking with other parents about whether or not their guns are secured;

Creating a mechanism for parents to get free gun locks through the school system;

Hosting yearly community conversations with parents about secure storage.

These campaigns will:

Increase awareness around secure storage and responsible gun ownership,

Increase implementation of Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Increase rates of compliance with Michigan’s safe storage law

Prevent youth suicide, interpersonal and community violence, unintentional and accidental shootings, and school shootings, etc.

Michigan has made great strides in prevenng gun violence, but we're not done yet. We need you to get involved as a leader, community educator, or volunteer.

You can get involved with advocang for gun safety in schools with End Gun Violence Michigan: email amoore@endgunviolencemi.org for more informaon.

Michigan's new Safe Homes, Safe Schools Law requires that Michigan school districts inform their parent & caregiver communities about secure storage, every year.

What is Michigan’s Secure Storage law?

Michigan's secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023, requires that firearms be stored securely with a gun lock or in a gun safe when kids are at the home. If a child accesses a gun, the gun's owner faces stiff penalties, especially if someone gets hurt.

What is Safe Homes, Safe Schools Law?

Public Acts 257 and 258 of 2024 require school districts to distribute literature, such as through an email or a flyer in a kid's backpack, about Michigan's secure storage law every year by October 1st. The materials will be created by Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services and cover both the law and where to find free or low-cost gun locks & safes. It will be provided in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

What can Schools do?

01 Follow the law

Schools should be prepared to send out the required materials by October. The materials will be shared with school districts through the Michigan Department of Education after July 1st.

02 Go beyond the law

Schools are a space that students go to with the expectation of safety. As a school, you can make a commitment to that safety by providing additional resources, such as gun locks, to your community.

Honoring Our Legacy: Founder’s Day Across Michigan Local units and councils celebrated the roots of our mission with creativity, community, and heartfelt tributes.

Sandy Winkler, Michigan PTA joins Allen Park’s Kelley Carey, Michigan Honorary Life Member, and Marlene Cottrell, Council Member of the Year, Allen Park PTA/PTSA Council.

Allen Park Superintendent Mike Darga and Michigan PTA Treasurer, Sandy Winkler

Garden City PTA Council

Southfield PTA Council

Royal Oak PTA Council

Livonia PTA Council

Farmington Area PTA Council. Michigan PTA’s Beth Hulett, Dr. Tonya Whitehead, Lisa Roscoe and Aundra Simpkins pose with Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II

Inspiration in Every Brushstroke: Celebrating Student Artists

This year’s Reflections theme sparked powerful artistic expressions from students across Michigan, showcasing creativity as a form of advocacy and growth.

Reflectingon Convention 2025

April 17-19, 2026

Celebrating Our Student Leaders and Future Scholars

PTSA student members are more than just participants—they’re changemakers. Across Michigan, youth leaders are developing critical leadership skills, learning how advocacy shapes policy, and making meaningful contributions in their schools and communities.

Thank you, MET! 2025 Youth Engagement Summit sponsor.

MET is a 529 prepaid tuition savings program which allows you to pay for future higher education at today's price. MET is flexible, transferable and even refundable. MET is specific to tuition, it does not pay for room and board or books. Depending on the beneficiary's choices, MET provides: Prepaid tuition and mandatory fees at any Michigan public university and community college upon admission.

Funds from a terminated METs can be directed to a Michigan independent (private), out-of-state college or trade school. Refunds can be made if a beneficiary decides not to attend college.

FREE for educators

Attend the full series or individual sessions

Opportunities for free SCECH hours

August 4-7, 2025 at The Zekelman Holocaust Center

Access to the bus subsidy program

Attend 3 full days & receive a free Educator Membership

Scan Here to Learn More: For questions, please contact: Willow.Hokett@HolocaustCenter.org

Join us for the Summer Academy, a professional development series for Michigan educators at The HC. Whether you are new or returning, there is something for everyone.

DAY ONE: August 4

Foundations of Holocaust Teaching

DAY TWO: August 5

Media Literacy and Teaching the Holocaust

DAY THREE: August 6

Diversity and the Holocaust

DAY FOUR: August 7

Understanding and Preventing Genocide, Learn From a Holocaust Survivor

New Membership Dues Rate Eﬀective

July 1, 2025

Dues Increase The National PTA dues portion will increase

to $3.25 as of July 1, 2025.

Changes to your bylaws will be automatic, this was voted upon at the National PTA Convention and does not require a vote by your local unit’s membership. You do not need to resubmit your bylaws to Michigan PTA at this time to reﬂect this National PTA dues level change. You should make those changes to all copies that you retain locally for your unit. This will ensure that the next time you are required to review/change your unit’s bylaws, it will be accurate. Remember, bylaws must be reviewed every 3 years.

Example of the changes needed to your local unit bylaws:

Currently Reads: Article VII: Membership and Dues

# Section 5. The amount of the state portion of each member’s dues shall be determined by the Michigan PTA. The national portion of each member’s dues shall be two dollars twenty ﬁve cents ($2.25) per annum.

# Section 6. The Michigan portion of each member’s dues shall be three dollars twenty ﬁve cents ($3.25) per annum. Section 7. Each member of this PTA shall pay annual dues of $______ to the organization. The amount of such annual dues shall include the portion payable to the Michigan PTA and the portion payable to the National PTA.

Change To: Article VII: Membership and Dues

# Section 5. The amount of the state portion of each member’s dues shall be determined by the Michigan PTA. The national portion of each member’s dues shall be three dollars twenty ﬁve cents ($3.25) per annum.

A local unit may choose to amend their bylaws to increase the total amount of dues collected. Local PTA members have the right to vote upon all changes to their local unit dues. Use the sample chart below to help your members decide if an increase is needed to your unit’s membership fees. If your members vote to increase the local portion of the collected dues, this will require a bylaws change. Look to your current bylaws to guide the process of a bylaws amendment. You can also reach out to Michigan PTA for support. Contact V.P. for Unit Support, Lisa Roscoe, at UnitSupportVP@MichiganPTA.org

Sample on presenting the options for local increase to unit dues:

Connect With Michigan PTA

President

Dr. Tonya Whitehead president@michiganpta.org

President-Elect

Jenna McMechan presidentelect@michiganpta.org

Immediate Past President

Tracey Troy troyt@michiganpta.org

Secretary Aundra Simpkins secretary@michiganpta.org

Treasurer

Sandy Winkler treasurer@michiganpta.org

VP of Advocacy Currently Vacant childadvocacyvp@michiganpta.org

VP of Unit Support

Lisa Roscoe UnitSupportVP@michiganpta.org

facebook.com/everychildonevoice

Michigan PTA Leadership Community

Michigan PTA Advocacy

Michigan PTA Reflections Network

VP of Communications

Beth Hulett communicationsVP@MichiganPTA.org

VP of Membership

Maryanne VanHaitsma membershipvp@michiganpta.org

VP of Unit Development Candi Drouillard UnitDevelopmentVP@michiganpta.org

Interim VP of Programs & Services

Kathy Carter (Past President) ProgramsVP@michiganpta.org

VP of Engagement

Sharene Nathan EngagementVP@michiganpta.org

VP of Events Currently Vacant EventsVP@michiganpta.org

MichiganPTA.org 734-975-9500 34405 West Twelve Mile Road Suite 136

Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331 info@MichiganPTA.org

Michigan PTA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Group

Michigan PTA Membership Group

PTSA student members stand with Governor Gretchen Whitmer during Michigan PTA’s 2024 Advocacy Day at the Capitol, proudly representing the next generation of leaders.

Newsflash June/July 2025

TABLEOFCONTENTS

A Letter From the Editor