Join Us for the Next Parents' Association Meeting, Wed 1/28

We would love to see all parents attend the upcoming DNPA meeting next week on Wednesday, January 28th.  This is the 2nd of the 3 big yearly meetings, where we offer free childcare with pizza starting at 5:30pm (sign up via Google Doc sent out in our email). There will also be dinner for the adults. The meetings generally run 1.5 to 2 hrs, but feel free to leave as needed for kiddo bedtime, etc.

Meeting agenda:
- Current state of the Budget and Fundraising
- Discussion led by the Enrichment Committee on upcoming ideas
- Discussion lead by the Philanthropy Committee on 2014 activity and upcoming ideas
- June Gala Fundraiser dialogue (and fundraising in general)

All Oakland Duck's Nest parents are automatically members of the DNPA, so if you'd like to help shape the direction of our school, please join us to share your thoughts, ideas and opinions. We are never short of tasks and volunteer positions- any help is appreciated, small or big.

If for some reason you can't make the meeting, but would like to share thoughts or help out, please contact us at oaklanddnpa@ducksnest.org. This is your chance to help guide your child's Duck's Nest experience - every ounce of energy counts!

Thanks so much,
-The DNPA

For reference, here are notes from the last DNPA meeting on 12/9/14 (note specific budget figures have been removed as this is a public website):

Teacher Appreciation
- Represents a significant part of the DNPA budget
- Teacher Birthdays: Other DN campuses parent's associations don't do birthdays, but DNPA has traditionally done teacher birthdays to help keep contributions even/fair and take the burden off individual parents
- We could instead do only holiday & end of year pool of monetary gifts
- Group voted and approved teacher birthday contributions for this year (same budget allocation as previous year)

Budget, general
- Look at typical year to year expenses & see what we need to raise annually
- Take this year - see how things go - be sustainable

Budget, specifics
- Group voted and approved Enrichment budget allocation (school-wide performances)
- Group voted and approved Field Trips budget allocation

Fundraising
- Last year, the bulk of the fundraising $ came from the gala auction (typical for years past as well)
- Big Question: is there "stomach" for holding a big fundraiser event? It's a lot of work
- Cost-saving options: host it at the Oakland campus; serve heavy apps post /pre dinner instead of full dinner
- Alternative to big gala: smaller scale community event; neighbors would appreciate earlier timing (pre-dinner); ticket price would relate to time of day and "fanciness"; the group is leaning towards a community event
- Consider adding a philanthropy aspect (select a charity - but can we raise enough for the DNPA budget as well as extra for a charity?)
- Silent Auction is great for engaging local businesses
- Other fundraising options: CSA "veggie box" pick up location (DNPA would receive appx $5 per box)

Communication/Marketing
- Need to communicate to parents what DNPA funds go towards vs. tuition (e.g. What is "enrichment"? How does it integrate with current program? What is "teacher appreciation")
- What about tabling/in-person presence on campus? To encourage parents to donate towards teacher contributions and help explain the DNPA's role. Tabling to start next week.
- Send out a parent survey in January (what are your priorities? opinions on fundraising options)

- Send out an email to encourage end of year contribution to DNPA (we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit)

Philanthropy tabled for next meeting, and their committee will meet

Next Meetings:
Wed, 1/28  5:30 PM w/ childcare and dinner
Tues, 2/24  7:00 PM (no childcare)