23rd District PTA is Making Magic!

Greetings to our fantastic PTA and PTSA Leaders in Riverside County!

I hope that your return to a new school year has been more exciting than it has been stressful, and I hope that the tools and supports that we've rolled out for you at Twenty-Third District have helped make your jobs easier. That's why we're here - to help you make magic for kids throughout Riverside County.

Now, you may not be a Dolly Parton fan, and that is absolutely fine - to each their own. I will say, though, that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program has been responsible for more than 300,000,000 books being gifted to children ages 0-5 since the programs inception, and more than 3,000,000 books being gifted to children each month. That is magic. Sure, it's magic because more than 3,000,000 children received new books - that's huge. It's also magic for one child. One child who gets to share a silly joke, or laugh along with a story, or go on an imaginary journey to somewhere incredible.

(Don't worry, folks, I'm not just rambling for the sake of rambling, I have a point.) As we all start to settle in to the work that we do, it can be incredibly easy to get caught up in the comparison game. The mind game of competing to be big, bigger, best - to make everything glitter and glitz and glamour. I'm not saying that you shouldn't flex your creative wings - if you've got them, flaunt them (reasonably!). Just remember that it isn't all about the glitter, glitz, and glam. It's about the bridges we build between our PTAs, our schools, and our school communities; it's about all of those kids knowing that there is always someone on their side, and that no matter what, we are all on the same side of wanting to make sure that we do everything we can so that our kiddos can see the world not always for what it is, but for what it can be. There's no contest, you don't have to be better than the PTA down the street or two towns over - you just have to care. You do, I can tell, that's why you're here.

In this newsletter, you will find links, attachment, and information to help your PTA or PTSA run smoothly and effectively throughout the year. We know it's a lot of information, but it really is designed to help support you and help you make sure your PTA's business is clean, clear, transparent, and purposeful! Don't miss out - check out the July/August newsletter by clicking this link!

We hope you have a wonderful September and back-to-school season, and please know that we are here cheering you on! Keep up the amazing work, Magic-Makers!

Kind Regards,
Becca Marks-Anderson
President

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You are receiving this newsletter as a PTA leader in Riverside County (Council or Unit), and you are a part of the Twenty-Third District PTA family. Families support each other, and we are here to support you! You matter, and we are very glad that you are here!

Still need training? We've got you!

Time for Round 4 of Twenty-Third District PTA 2026-2027 Leadership Training! These trainings are free to attend, and you can attend as many as you like. Don't forget the General Finance and your positional training!

Specific workshops are listed and are open for registration now. This round includes a complement of workshops that are designed to help support our leaders and give you the tools you need to be successful magic-makers for the 2026-2027 term of office, and includes two sessions of General Finance with a real-time Spanish language interpretation option (both at 1:00 P.M.). Many of these workshops were offered in previous rounds; however, if you missed it before - now is your time to take it!

You must register for each workshop you want to take, and links are tied to the individual registrant - so each person needs to register individually!

Click this link to access workshop options and to register now!

(Contact Webmaster@23rdDistrict.org for technical assistance or support)

You've asked, and we've heard you! In 2026-2027, Twenty-Third District PTA will be offering live, in-person spotlight workshops for leaders!

These workshops will focus on content areas that our leaders have asked to learn more about, and will include helpful handouts, interactive opportunities, and lunch! Each month is a different topic specifically chosen to help you!

You've asked - we're making it happen! Additional materials distribution days are here!

(No Registration Necessary - This is a "walk-in" event)

The September Materials Distribution Date is:

Thursday, September 17, 2026

1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
(Doors open at 1:00 P.M.)

Location: RCOE Murrieta Conference Rooms A&B

38670 Sky Canyon Dr. #200

We have all kinds of materials specially designed to help support our leaders, and we want to give them to you - FOR FREE.

Leaders can:

• Pick-up prepared Treasurer Binders for 2026-2027
• Pick-up 23rd District PTA Financial Training Flip-Books (Your handy-dandy cheat sheet for all things finance - updated to include gift card and check card guidance!)* NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH
• Pick-up additional handouts and support materials (We have lots!)
• Pick-up 2026-2027 Reflections Program posters and program checklist!
• Meet Twenty-Third District PTA leaders and ask questions... AND MORE!

Sometimes, you have questions that need answers, and you just need one-on-one support to get the answers you need to feel comfortable moving forward!

Come see us! Someone from Twenty-Third District PTA will be at the dates, times, and locations below - just for you! You can drop off records for financial review, make arrangements to pick things up ahead of time, or just come chat to make sure you're on the right track.

With this in mind, Twenty-Third District PTA is starting a new support tool for our leaders - office hours! Each month, we will have hours available where you can meet with Twenty-Third District PTA leaders by dropping by the Twenty-Third District office, hop on Zoom, or come see us at a public location, to ask questions, drop off paperwork or other documents, or just double-check that you're on the right track!

Public location: September 1; 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.*
(Always at this location on the first Tuesday of each month during this time.)

Starbucks (Murrieta Hot Springs)
40735 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd.
Murrieta, CA 92562

Public location: September 11; 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Starbucks (March Air Force Base)

22420 Van Buren Boulevard

Riverside, CA 92518

Public location: September 25; 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Starbucks (Newport Rd.)
27559 Newport Rd.
Menifee, CA 92584

Every PTA and PTSA has coverage under the California State PTA insurance program with AIM Insurance Services.

Insurance coverage follows the calendar year (not the fiscal year) from January 5 - January 5 (this is why your school district may ask for a new certificate of insurance midway through the year.

The premium amounts for the upcoming 2027 year have been announced, and the portal for units to remit premium payments will open in October - so keep your eyes peeled for the email!

The premium amounts are as follows:

• Units: $345.00
• Councils: $238.00
  
  

Premiums received on or after January 4 will incur a late fee penalty and may be subject to organizational withdrawal. Don't put your PTA at risk!

Remitting the insurance premium is a multi-step process, make sure all the steps are completed!

1. Step 1: Complete the Request for Insurance Coverage form from AIM
2. Step 2: Remit the premium payment via ACH Bill Pay (using the Authorization for Payment via Electronic Services Form, attached), card payment (someone pays and is reimbursed), or mailing a check to AIM Insurance services.
   
   

Will remitting the insurance premium be a financial hardship for your PTA/PTSA?
Reach out to Insurance@23rdDistrict.org to discuss options!

The first association meeting of the year is a heavy meeting! There's a lot of business to get through! Many of our units (and councils!) are working their way through their first meetings now!

Remember, no one person makes decisions in PTA - we are collective decision makers! We have to plan ahead to make business happen!

• Present minutes from the last meeting?
• Present the 2025-2026 annual financial report?
• Present and adopt the 2025-2026 year-end financial review?
• Present a treasurer's report covering the time since last meeting?
• Ratify expenditures?
• Present and adopt the calendar for the year?
• Present and adopt the budget (including programs and fundraisers)?
• Release funds? (Remember, this is asking for permission to open the jars - the executive board will still approve specific expenditures!)

It's a lot to keep track of! That's why we have a handy Checklist for a Healthy PTA to help you! It's attached to this newsletter, and it will get you through the entire year!

Recording can be a tricky business indeed - especially in Riverside County.

Let's talk about it.

There are a number of laws that surround recording interactions with other persons - from simple conversations to meetings as a whole. The most important of these for leaders to know is that California is a two-party consent state. This means that in order to record a proceeding like a meeting, everyone must consent and know that they are being recorded.

And now the crux of it all: Something else to also know is that we have several armed forces installations in Riverside County, with several families having members employed at these installations. The positions come with specific security clearances which may prohibit the individuals from participating in meetings which are recorded, and may also prohibit those individuals from disclosing that they hold the security clearance at all. Meaning the person cannot say that they cannot participate if the meeting is recorded.

So what does this mean for a PTA meeting and someone who wishes to record it?

It means that if the meeting is recorded, someone who is entitled and wants to participate in the business of the PTA may not be able to - they would be disenfranchised - and your PTA can be perceived as taking active steps to disenfranchise and exclude legitimate voting members (which can [and does] invalidate business). As a PTA, we have a legal obligation to do everything possible to ensure that all members who are legally entitled to participate in the business are able to do so.

It's always okay for the secretary to ask for a pause to ensure that motions are written down properly - and that's the best way to make sure that everything that needs to be documented gets included in the minutes.

This question comes up frequently, and has been the focus of many challenges to business. Keep this in mind as you move forward!

Have questions? Need more information? Reach out to us at Help@23rdDistrict.org

All PTA and PTSA units must file taxes and compliance documents annually, regardless of income.

We've broken down each type of filing - each filing is necessary each year! Filings are due by November 15 - don't wait to file! Filings could be prepared and submitted once the 2025-2026 year closed (as soon as July 1!) so make sure those taxes are filed and the unit's charitable status is renewed!

Filings include:

IRS: 990/990EZ/990N

FTB: 199/199N

AG: RRF-1/CT-TR-1 (if needed)

More information on these filings, including the scheduling system for tax filing support, will be included in next month's newsletter!

Need help? Reach out to us at Help@23rdDistrict.org!

It's that time of year, and our PTA/PTSAs are being asked about support positions on bond measures, support for school board candidates and more. It's important to note that as a nonprofit public charity, PTA/PTSA is noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.

We know navigating this landscape can be tricky, and so we have a special edition of the Twenty-Third District PTA newsletter that will be coming out in the next couple of weeks featuring information on how PTA/PTSA units can advocate for children while still preserving nonprofit status, directly from the California Leg Team and featuring past California State PTA president and current Ed100 board member Carol Kocivar!

Donations sometimes make the difference between whether an event is a hit or a flop, but it's also important to make sure that donations are recorded appropriately for tax purposes. Remember - documentation is required!

1. Step 1: Donations solicitations ("asks") must be documented! In an executive board meeting, the individuals appointed by the president to ask for donations (and the purpose of the donations) must be recorded in the minutes. For example: "Tom Holland will be reaching out to Ralph's, Target, Walmart, and Sprouts for bottled water donations for the fall festival."
2. Step 2: A letter including the EIN should be prepared to solicit donations. The letter should be provided to all donors for tax purposes.
3. Step 3: Donations received must be documented! In an executive board meeting, what donations were received (and their purpose!) must be reported and recorded in the minutes. For example: Ralph's donated 45 cases of bottled water, and Sprouts donated five cases. No other place solicited donated for the fall festival."
4. Step 4: Thank the donor! A letter of thanks (or a shout out during the event or on social media) thanking the donor is appropriate. Remember, we can only thank - not endorse! For example: "Thank you to Mark Ruffalo's pizza shop for donating 25 pizzas for the Astronomy night!"

Donations must be used for their intended purpose. The donor must approve the donation being reappropriated for a different use, so make sure your PTA is clear in its donation request!

Check out more programs and fundraising information by clicking this link.

Don't forget - one of the business items for the first association meeting of the new year should be the adoption of the completed financial review from the prior year! 2025-2026 financial reviews should be nearing completion so that they can be presented for adoption!

Copies of adopted year-end financial reviews should be forwarded to the council (if in-council) or to Twenty-Third District PTA if out-of-council. Financial reviews can also be uploaded to FutureFund Connects. A completed financial review includes three things:

• Financial Review Report
• Financial Review Checklist
• Recommendations Page(s) (if recommendations are needed)

All three documents, plus the dates of adoption by the executive board and association must be present and included for the financial review to be considered complete.

Financial reviews can be completed by one of four ways (It's in your bylaws in Article VIII, Section 2), and no one involved in the financial review process may have served as a check-signer or handled PTA funds during the period that is being reviewed:

• An accountant or CPA (professionally trained to conduct audits), paid for by the unit as an authorized expense
• An accountant or CPA (professional trained to conduct audits), who volunteers their time to the unit
• This individual may be elected as an officer or appointed by the executive board and ratified by the association (never appointed by the president).
• An elected or appointed* financial reviewer [unqualified]
• If the elected or appointed financial reviewer is unqualified (not professionally trained to conduct audits), a financial review committee must be appointed by the executive board and ratified by the association. The members of the committee review the financial review after it is completed by the financial reviewer before it is presented to the executive board and association.
• An appointed financial review committee
• If there is no financial reviewer at all, a committee (wherein no members have been involved in the counting or management of PTA funds) may be appointed to complete the financial review. This committee is appointed by the executive board and ratified by the association.

All appointments and ratifications must be included in the minutes.

If your unit does not have a financial reviewer and the remaining options aren't feasible (or your unit is Out-of-Council and less than two years old), Twenty-Third District PTA can ensure that the financial review is completed for your PTA.

Questions? Need Help? Reach out to Bianca Corales at FinancialReviewer@23rdDistrict.org

Bylaws must by renewed at least every five years from the date of the California State Parliamentarian's signature, and Twenty-Third District PTA will start sending out past-due notices soon to help keep units current!

PTA is an advocacy organization at its core - we make things better for kids, right? What better way to do that than to make sure that you know the ins and outs of the education system? Did you know that there's a super easy way to learn - just check out Ed100!

Ed100 provides easily accessible chunks of information in lessons that help you navigate the education system every step of the way, and the more you learn, the more entries you get to win $1,000.00 for your PTA or PTSA from Ed100. Not only can your PTA or PTSA possibly win with Ed100, you can also win with Twenty-Third District PTA and the Twenty-Third District PTA Ed100 Leaderboard project!
Register for Ed100 and start learning. Once you've done that, complete this form to get added to the brand-new LEADERBOARD! You'll be able to see your points stack up, and also see how your progress compares to others in your area!

Our high flyers who complete the most lessons by the end of April will be eligible to receive recognition and goodies for their units at the Twenty-Third District PTA Awards Lunch in May!

Twenty-Third District PTA wants to support our units however possible!

Our goal is to make things better for kids, but that can be hard when funds are tight! That's why Twenty-Third District PTA has set up Program Grants! We want to help you make magic for kids!

Cycle 1 of the 2026-2027 Program Grants year is OPEN NOW!

Program grant submissions must be received by October 5, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. Proposals must focus on programs that directly benefit the students. Be detailed and descriptive in your applications - the more detail the better!

Click this link for Program Grant Submission!

Did you know that we gave away over 500 Reflections posters at the recent materials pick-up days? It's true! We also still have more to give away, and we'll be hosting another Reflections workshop during September training days to help make sure every unit that wants to participate in the program has all the information they need!

We want to ensure that every unit has the opportunity to participate in Reflections in a way that works for your site. The arts are essential, and every student deserves a chance to shine! Please know that we are here to answer questions and provide support as your PTA navigates the program. Have questions about how to celebrate? We can help! Have questions about how to make judging happen? We can help!

You'll find everything you need for the program in this folder: (click this link), including links to the new entry forms, leaders' guides, logos, graphics, and more!

Have questions? Reach out to us at Reflections@23rdDistrict.org.

ALL ENTRIES FROM COUNCILS/OOC UNITS ARE DUE TO 23rd DISTRICT PTA

ON DECEMBER 3, 2026 (IN-PERSON GENERAL ASSOCIATION MEETING)

Twenty-Third District PTA partners with Riverside County Office of Education in support of the Superintendent's Initiatives. What are they? The initiatives are five content areas that are dedicated to supporting students - meeting them where they are and helping them achieve success. These initiatives also offer a great launchpad to help inspire PTA programming at our schools - and units that complete programming aligning with three or more initiatives will receive special recognition at the Twenty-Third District PTA 2027 annual awards!

Find out more information in the attached flyer below!

Every member matters, and we want to help keep Twenty-Third District PTA units energized and excited about membership! That's why we have a whole list of membership challenges to guide us through 2026-2027 with the potential for units to win awesome PTA swag as a prize! Each month there is a new challenge, with a new opportunity to win a prize!

Our challenges handout is attached so you can see everything we have in store!

SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE: EARLY BIRD!

Share a screenshot of your unit's TOTEM dashboard showing 30+ members, or a copy of your membership roster showing 30+ members with us by the deadline for the opportunity to win a customized A-Frame sign for your PTA from Twenty-Third District PTA!

Have questions? Reach out to us at Membership@23rdDistrict.org

Submissions must be received by no later than 11:59 P.M. on October 5, 2026

Have questions? Reach out to us at Membership@23rdDistrict.org

[Awardees will be selected from submissions on the second Thursday of each month and announced on social media the following Monday. Awarded units will also be contacted directly to arrange for prize pick-up/delivery.]

We know that volunteers can be hard to find, believe us! We have lots of big plans to help support our units here at Twenty-Third District and we would love to have you involved!

If you are interested in the following positions:

• Vice President of Membership*
• Vice President of Advocacy*
• Parliamentarian
• Reflections
• Family Engagement/Convention
• Student Representatives

Reach out to President@23rdDistrict.org and let us know!

Did you make it all the way through the newsletter?
This little blurb isn't in the table of contents, and that's because it's a surprise!

Can you answer the three PTA trivia questions below?
The first three people to email the correct answers to President@23rdDistrict.org

will win a PTA-themed prize, plus a shout-out at the Twenty-Third District PTA association meeting (and the next newsletter!)

(This month, we are focusing on finance - each month will be something different!)

1. Question 1: When counting cash or checks, how many people must be present?
2. Question 2: What is the deadline for filing taxes for a PTA or PTSA in Riverside County?
3. Question 3: What is the website where users complete lessons to learn about the education system in California?
   

August

• 2 - Mark Twain Elementary PTA (RC)
• 4 - Tahquitz High School PTSA (HSJ)
• 5 - De Anza Elementary PTA (HSJ)
• 10 - Summerwind Trails PTA (OOC)
• 15 - Eleanor Roosevelt PTSA (CNC)
• 17 - Callie Kirkpatrick PTA (OOC)
• 18 - Earl Warren Elementary PTA (LEC)
• 19 - Polytechnic High PTSA (RC)
• 19 - Abby Reinke PTA (TVC)
• 20 - Hans Christensen PTSA (OOC)
• 21 - Shivela Middle PTSA (OOC)
• 21 - Patricia Beatty Elementary PTSA (RC)
• 23 - Western Center Academy PTSA (HSJ)
• 25 - Anna Hause PTA (OOC)
• 27 - Edward Hyatt World Language Academy PTA (HSJ)
• 27 - Park Hill Bisons PTA (HSJ)
• 27 - SJE Tigers PTA (HSJ)
• 28 - Victoriano Grizzlies PTA (OOC)
• 28 - Temescal Canyon High PTSA (LEC)
• 29 - Magnolia Student Center PTA (OOC)
• 31 - Tournament Hills Elementary PTA (OOC)

September

• 1 - Victoria Eagles PTA
• 5 - Amelia Earhart Middle PTSA
• 8 - Rancho Elementary PTA
• 8 - William Collier Elementary PTA
• 9 - Norco High PTA
• 11 - Red Hawk Elementary PTA
• 12 - Tomas Rivera Elementary PTA
• 14 - Tuscany Hills Elementary PTA
• 16 - Avaxat Elementary PTA
• 16 - Rose Salgado PTA (Happy 1st Birthday!)
• 16 - Sally Buselt Elementary PTA
• 18 - Ramona Rams PTSA
• 19 - Collett Courageous Cougars PTA

• 19 - Corona Fundamental Intermediate PTSA
• 19 - Triple Crown PTA
• 20 - Hamilton Secondary PTSA
• 21 - Temecula Elementary PTA
• 22 - Elsinore Elementary PTA
• 23 - Pachappa Elementary PTA
• 25 - Peralta Elementary School PTA
• 26 - Lincoln Alternative School PTA
• 26 - Val Verde Thunderbirds PTA
• 27 - Wildomar Elementary PTA
• 28 - Jefferson Elementary PTA
• 30 - Bella Vista Elementary PTA
• 30 - Norco Intermediate School PTSA
• 30 - Vicentia Elementary PTA

Happy Birthday! Congratulations on another year of making magic for kids!

Office Number
(951) 365-5102

Mailing Address

23rd District PTA

c/o Riverside County Office of Education

38670 Sky Canyon Dr. #200, Office #202

Murrieta, CA 92563

Email: Help@23rdDistrict.org

Website: https://www.23rdDistrict.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/23rdDistrictPTA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/23rddistrictpta/