The AGM is over and you find yourself on the P&C executive committee. So, now what? Here's a checklist to get you started.

So that we can help you - our member P&Cs - throughout the year, we need to know who is on your new committee and how to contact them. Please fill in our Office Bearer's Form to pass on this vital information to us.
Thanks to the P&Cs who have already done so.

As well as our usual Effective P&C Workshop and Treasurer training, this year we running a new workshop focusing on your constitution and amendments. The sessions are free and refreshments are provided. Contact us to book your place in any session.

• Effective P&C Workshop: Covering ways to improve how your association works, recruiting volunteers, fundraising and the P&C as an employer, this workshop is for new P&C members and continuing officers alike. Presidents will find the workshops particularly useful, but any P&C member is welcome. We will look at the role of P&Cs and Council, how to improve your meetings and much more. Plenty of time is allowed for your questions. Thursday March 30 at 6:30pm or Saturday April 1 at  2pm. Details here.
• Treasurers' and Insurance Workshop: We will provide information and answer questions on keeping financial records, annual reports, audits, employing staff, handling monies, taxation and insurance. All treasurers are strongly encouraged to attend. Thursday April 6 at 7pm.  Details here.
• P&C Constitution Workshop: This hands-on workshop is designed to help P&Cs review, rewrite or amend their constitutions. We’ll look at the model rules, the Associations Act, a sample P&C constitution and the process of passing an amended constitution through your P&C. Thursday May 4 at 7pm. Details here.

The first edition of our ParentACTion magazine for 2017 is out now - look out for it in school pigeon holes, or read it now online. It is full of ideas and inspiration for P&Cs and parents, like tips for avoiding P&C burn-out this year, accessing recycled freebies for schools and how one school is attracting more parent input.

Most P&Cs are now aware of the legal requirement for all P&C employees and regular volunteers to hold a valid Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) card. However, there is some confusion over the need to keep track of volunteers' WWVP status and maintain registers of volunteers. Council has confirmed with the Education Directorate that it is the school's responsibility to administer the volunteer sign-in process, including WWVP status.

P&Cs should remind all volunteers to enter via the school office and sign in using the school's processes. Office staff may need to sight the WWVP card. Some schools have additional Volunteer Nomination forms that should be completed. P&Cs and canteens are not required to keep a register of volunteers’ WWVP status. It is, however, the P&C’s responsibility to ensure that any staff employed by the association do have their WWVP registration. See our WWVP information sheet for more information.

The YMCA is currently delivering a 3 year project called Nutri-Y’s Food Services (funded under ACT Health - Healthy Canberra Grants). The project aims to support schools and school canteens to provide viable, sustainable food services, which meet the Healthy School Canteen Guidelines. As part of this project the YMCA is seeking Expressions of Interest from ACT Primary schools interested in participating in a delivered food service trial.  Schools without any current food service and also schools with a limited canteen operation who would like additional days of food service are welcome to express interest.   There are two options available for trialling. If your school is interested in finding out more about the opportunity to participate in this trial please contact Lynn Spratt (phone 6232 4285). 

Is your P&C registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)? (If you are not sure, see this FAQ). A free webinar on March 21 will help P&C’s understand their relationship with the ACNC as a registered charity and is a great opportunity for newly elected committee members to learn about their P&C’s obligations.

The team at the Fundraising Directory have taken the hard work out of organising your next fundraising BBQ by putting together the ultimate guide on how to plan your sausage sizzle. It's full of great information for Australian school and club fundraisers, including a full preparation list, roster template and ideas for maximising fundraising revenue. 

Is your canteen finding it difficult to buy or prepare healthy food items? Nutri-Y’s is a YMCA project which supports ACT school canteens to have viable and sustainable food services. Nutri-Y's is developing a range of GREEN single service lunch meals to suit school canteens. Meals will be delivered frozen and conveniently packaged for safe heat and serve.

Throughout February and March the YMCA will be dropping into school canteens to provide meal samples and further information about this initiative.  If you have any questions about Nutri-Y’s meals contact Lynn from YMCA.

The Office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner have joined forces with the Australian Library and Information Association to turn libraries into eSafe spaces. The program is now rolled out in all ACT public libraries. It gives families a place where they can access help and support from library staff, trained to assist children affected by cyberbullying.

• Executive Meeting, March 14, 7pm.
• Hot Topics and General Meeting, March 28, 6:45 for 7pm start. Includes presentation from Director General of the Education Directorate, Natalie Howson, on future challenges for ACT education and parent participation. Ends 9:30pm. 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling. All welcome!
• Effective P&C Workshop (see above) March 30 at 6:30pm or April1 at  2pm.