Board of Directors
2023 Recruiting Information
Thank you for your interest in the Montessori Children’s House Parent Association (MCH PA) Board of Directors. The MCH PA was founded in 1999 and is made up of all parents/guardians of current MCH students. The board of directors is elected from the population of PA members.
Our primary focus is to support the mission of the school; largely done through funds raised via the SEED campaign. We differ from public school boards in that we are not involved with school policy. We are a working board and information on our annual activities can be found in this section.
Our primary focus is to support the mission of the school; largely done through funds raised via the SEED campaign. We differ from public school boards in that we are not involved with school policy. We are a working board and information on our annual activities can be found in this section.
Our official mission is:
To provide our children the highest quality educational experience through fundraising and coordination with the school administration by supporting the following enrichment programs:
To provide our children the highest quality educational experience through fundraising and coordination with the school administration by supporting the following enrichment programs:
- Enrichment of the school’s curriculum through programs and materials
- Professional development of teachers and staff
- Short term tuition assistance for existing families in need
- PA sponsored programs and activities that support community development and parent education
- Teacher and staff appreciation
Student Scholarship
The PA and MCH provide tuition assistance for a number of MCH students in need. The board provides an annual grant for the school administration to award. Anonymized reports of how the funds were used are presented to the board.
Education Enrichment
Enrichment requests like field trips, specialists, and special on-campus events from are usually voted on as a package as part of our budgeting process.
Staff Development
Training and conference requests from teachers are presented and voted as they are requested.
Staff Appreciation
The PA drives planning and organization of Staff Appreciation Week. The PA also supplies some of the funding for a holiday party and gift card for the staff.
Community Development
The PA plans and participates in a number of community events during the year. This includes pumpkins at Harvest Fest, the PA annual meeting, Spring Showcase, parent gathering events and parent educational events.
Fundraising & Operations
The planning and organization of SEED and other fundraising efforts take place during board meetings, committee meetings, and outside time by board members and volunteers.
The PA and MCH provide tuition assistance for a number of MCH students in need. The board provides an annual grant for the school administration to award. Anonymized reports of how the funds were used are presented to the board.
Education Enrichment
Enrichment requests like field trips, specialists, and special on-campus events from are usually voted on as a package as part of our budgeting process.
Staff Development
Training and conference requests from teachers are presented and voted as they are requested.
Staff Appreciation
The PA drives planning and organization of Staff Appreciation Week. The PA also supplies some of the funding for a holiday party and gift card for the staff.
Community Development
The PA plans and participates in a number of community events during the year. This includes pumpkins at Harvest Fest, the PA annual meeting, Spring Showcase, parent gathering events and parent educational events.
Fundraising & Operations
The planning and organization of SEED and other fundraising efforts take place during board meetings, committee meetings, and outside time by board members and volunteers.
The MCH Parent Association Board of Directors is an all-volunteer, working board. The board varies in size from 3 to 13 members and as such it is of paramount importance that all board members have the same understanding of the roles and responsibilities.
Board Meetings
Board Term
Engagement
Events
Parent Ambassador
Board Meetings
- Attendance at 2-hour monthly board meetings
- Attendance at monthly committee meetings
Board Term
- The term of a director is 2 years
Engagement
- Each director must serve on at least one standing committee
- Standing committees must be chaired by a director
Events
- Each director must attend the annual meeting and the special meeting when elections are held
- Each director should make a concerted effort to attend all MCH events where there is PA representation (Harvest Fest, Education Events)
Parent Ambassador
- During certain school events (open house, program information nights) directors may be asked to serve as parent ambassadors to the non-MCH community. Participation is optional.
The pandemic has changed the nature of our year. The following calendar provides a general overview of the current activities. Future boards may elect to allocate time differently.
Month |
Activities |
Activity Level |
January |
None |
⚪⚪⚪⚪ |
February |
Spring planning |
🔴⚪⚪⚪ |
March |
Fundraiser* |
🔴🔴⚪⚪ |
April |
Recruiting |
🔴⚪⚪⚪ |
May |
Recruiting, SAW** |
🔴🔴🔴⚪ |
June |
Elections |
🔴🔴⚪⚪ |
July |
Training/planning |
🔴⚪⚪⚪ |
August |
School year prep |
🔴⚪⚪⚪ |
September |
SEED, Annual Meeting |
🔴🔴🔴⚪ |
October |
SEED, Harvest Fest |
🔴🔴🔴🔴 |
November |
SEED wrap-up |
🔴⚪⚪⚪ |
December |
None |
⚪⚪⚪⚪ |
* Optional
** Staff appreciation week.
** Staff appreciation week.
The board of directors operates on a formalized committee structure. The board and standing committees meet monthly. The committee and full board meetings are usually offset by one or two weeks. The standing agenda for each board meeting is largely committee report outs.
Board Meetings:
Standing committees:
Committees are recommended to meet once in-between regular board meetings. Each year the committee members determine a schedule that works best for all members.
Current Committees
Board Meetings:
- Once per month
- 7:00—9:00 PM
- Online
Standing committees:
Committees are recommended to meet once in-between regular board meetings. Each year the committee members determine a schedule that works best for all members.
Current Committees
- Community Development
- Executive/Finance
- Fundraising
- Recruiting (Nominating)
- Staff Appreciation
We strive to give committees as much autonomy as possible. This provides an opportunity for board members to do meaningful work and makes our board meetings very efficient. We have established guidelines to help ensure clarity on committee report outs. Each item on the board meeting agenda is marked if it is for approval, input or to inform.
Board Approval
Board approval is defined as a formal vote that is recorded in the minutes. Motions should be drafted prior to the board meeting and included in the agenda. Examples include, new budget, legal/contractual agreements and major operational decisions. A vote is required.
Board Input
Board input is defined as an agenda discussion item. The item should be included in the meeting agenda and a clear indication of what input is desired should be listed on the agenda as well. The input should not require a vote, but one may be used to ensure clarity for future understanding. Examples include large event or activity decisions, major messaging, and large expenditures. A vote is optional.
Board Informed
Board informed is defined as a report out on committee activities. The informed items need only be listed generally on the agenda. (e.g., Update on staff appreciation week.) Examples include committee decisions on approved events or activities. No vote is required.
Board Approval
Board approval is defined as a formal vote that is recorded in the minutes. Motions should be drafted prior to the board meeting and included in the agenda. Examples include, new budget, legal/contractual agreements and major operational decisions. A vote is required.
Board Input
Board input is defined as an agenda discussion item. The item should be included in the meeting agenda and a clear indication of what input is desired should be listed on the agenda as well. The input should not require a vote, but one may be used to ensure clarity for future understanding. Examples include large event or activity decisions, major messaging, and large expenditures. A vote is optional.
Board Informed
Board informed is defined as a report out on committee activities. The informed items need only be listed generally on the agenda. (e.g., Update on staff appreciation week.) Examples include committee decisions on approved events or activities. No vote is required.
In the spring of 2020, the Parent Association released 80% of our cash reserves to the community to support families that were impacted by the unprecedented impact of the pandemic. In the 2021-2022 school year, we have restored our funding to about 50% of pre-pandemic levels.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the MCH Parent Association, we hope you are inspired to consider applying for a board position.
Application Due: Sunday, April 29
Please submit the application for board membership to pa@mch-pa.org. Applications can be downloaded here.
One-on-one conversation: May 1 – May 20
After submitting your application, a one-on-one conversation will be scheduled with a current board member(s).
Open board meeting: May 8
Reception for current and prospective board members to meet before the formal recommendation and election.
Slate Recommendation: May 22
Using an on-line vote, the current board of directors will nominate a slate of officers for election on June 11.
Elections: May 30-June 9
The PA will be using an on-line election system.
Special Meeting: June 12
A special meeting will be held online at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 12 to complete and certify elections.
Application Due: Sunday, April 29
Please submit the application for board membership to pa@mch-pa.org. Applications can be downloaded here.
One-on-one conversation: May 1 – May 20
After submitting your application, a one-on-one conversation will be scheduled with a current board member(s).
Open board meeting: May 8
Reception for current and prospective board members to meet before the formal recommendation and election.
Slate Recommendation: May 22
Using an on-line vote, the current board of directors will nominate a slate of officers for election on June 11.
Elections: May 30-June 9
The PA will be using an on-line election system.
Special Meeting: June 12
A special meeting will be held online at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 12 to complete and certify elections.