President's Message

June 2008
By Patty Christiansen, President

Safe Swimming in PTA Waters

“Marco!” “Polo!”

All summer, we would hear the chants of our sons in the backyard pool. We are a family of “water babies” and our summers are spent in the water— in the pool, in the bay, in the ocean. Learning how to swim was mandatory. Our boys were all taught to obey water safety rules.

You won’t have to chant “Marco – Polo,” but you can certainly apply basic swimming rules to PTA leadership.

Never jump into the deep end until you know how to swim.
PTA leaders should not jump into their leadership positions without learning how to lead. Pack a copy of your unit or council bylaws, the job description for your position, and the appropriate sections of the California State PTA Toolkit into your summer bag and read them. These documents will teach you how to “swim” in PTA waters. If you didn’t go to the California State PTA Convention, attend training in your council or at the Fourth District PTA workshops in September. Learn the “basic swimming strokes” so that you can jump into the deep end of your PTA and swim!

Never swim alone.
Smart swimmers always use the buddy system; smart PTA leaders do the same. No PTA leader can do everything alone. Surround yourself with other volunteers. One of the most common complaints that I hear is that volunteers sign up, but are never contacted to help. Make sure that your PTA includes ALL volunteers. Many hands make light work!

Swim near a lifeguard.
No parent would allow a child to swim without supervision. This holds true for PTA, too. One of the unique things about our organization is the support system it provides. Your council and Fourth District PTA leaders are here to instruct and support you.

Never dive or jump into unknown waters.
Even experienced PTA leaders come across situations that are unfamiliar. If your PTA is entering unknown waters, pull out your Toolkit. Answers to most of your questions can be found there. If you are still unsure after studying the Toolkit, contact your council or district PTA leaders.

Obey all warning signs.
No safe swimmer jumps into water where there is a sign saying “Danger: No Swimming!” In PTA, we also have warning signs and regulations that should be heeded. For example, financial regulations and guidelines should always be obeyed. Two people should count and document PTA money, two officers should sign every PTA check, and two audits should be done every year.

Like smart swimmers, PTA leaders who obey the PTA safety rules will be more successful. Learn the PTA rules and you will be guaranteed a safer PTA swim!