Thursday, April 15
Town Hall Meeting
6:30pm-8:30pm

5:45 pm – 6:00 pm – Music / Sponsor Promos

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm 

• Introduction/ Explanations
• Candidate Introductions
• Resolutions
• Bylaws
• Budget
• Wrap-up

Thursday, April 22
Convention 2021 Opening
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

5:45 pm – 6:00 pm – Music / Sponsor Promos

6:00 pm – 6:20 pm – Opening

• Welcome
• National PTA Greetings
• Mini-Keynote: Erica Nelson, IL PTA Federal Legislation Consultant Presents The Power of “I”

6:30 pm – 7:15 pm – Workshop Session I 

• Harnessing the Power of Positivity 
• The Toll of COVID 19 on the Mental Health of Students 
• Collaboration Doesn’t Need to be Rocket Science 

7:15 pm – 7:30 pm – Break

7:30 pm – 8:00 pm – General Session I

• Credential Report
• AIM Sponsor
• Adoption of Convention Program
• Consent Agenda
• BDNC Report
• Election Process

8:00 pm – 8:15 pm – Break

8:15 pm – 9:00 pm – Workshop Session II 

• Reimagining School Family Engagement & Partnerships in PTA 
• What’s Now?: Navigate Your PTA Forward

Election Polls Open (if applicable)
Thursday, April 22 @ 9:00 pm thru Friday, April 23 @ 5:00 pm

Saturday, April 24
Convention 2021
9:00 am – 1:00 pm

8:45 am – 9:00 am – Music / Sponsor Promos

9:00 am – 9:15 am – Opening

• Welcome
• Reflections Celebration

9:30 am – 10:15 am – Workshop Session III 

• The Power of a Pause 
• Social Emotional Learning and Trauma Informed Schools 
• The Right Stuff: A Conversation with Award Winning Illinois PTA Local Leaders

10:15 am – 10:30 am – Break

10:30 am – 11:45 am – General Session II

• Credential Report
• Mini-Key Note: Dagmar Kauffman, Founder & Director of On Balance Parenting and creator of the Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously!
• Bylaws
• Resolutions
• Awards
• Election Results (if necessary)
• Installation of 2021-2023 Officers
• Comments from President-Elect

11:45 am – 12:00 pm – Break

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm – Workshop Session IV (2 breakouts)

• What’s the P.L.A.N.? Create a Membership Plan. 
• Community Funding – Grants, Sponsorships, and Partnerships 

12:45 pm – 1:00 pm – Wrap-Up

Check the Convention Page often for further updates and additional information.

Thursday, April 22, 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm –  Workshop Session I

Harnessing the Power of Positivity

The research around positive psychology has determined that our brain works significantly better at positive than at negative, neutral or stressed. A positive mindset increases productivity by 31 percent, makes us 10 times more engaged at work, helps ensure we live longer, get better grades, and much more. The impact of positivity is both personal and professional.  During the pandemic and post pandemic, we can harness positivity as a lever to support and develop us individually and together collectively.

Presenter: Andy DuRoss, Schaumburg District 54 Superintendent

The Toll of COVID 19 on the Mental Health of Students

Mental Health Opportunities and Risks is a practical primer to help adults help our young people through this trying time. Participants will gain tools and insights to help them:

• Identify and address signs of virtual learning ‘disconnect’ and other pandemic-driven stress on the everyday learning experience.
• Recognize risk and understanding the cues for mental health distress, ranging from age-inappropriate behavior to major crisis, including suicidal ideation.
• Finding support at school, in the community, and in cyberspace, including NAMI programs for students and families.

Presenter:  Andy Wade, NAMI Illinois Executive Director

Collaboration Doesn’t Need to be Rocket Science

Does your school have a current school improvement plan? Do you know what actions are included in your school improvement plan? PTA can help!

The past few months have been some of the most challenging in over 100 years for schools and families. It will take every school community working together to reboot the school environment. PTA has resources available to assist school teams in creating a successful school improvement plan to ensure every child has the chance to reach their potential!

Join this session and learn how your PTA can be involved in school improvement plan development/updates through sharing PTA programs and resources. Learn how to use this opportunity to attract volunteers to be involved in this important process.

Presenters: Peggy Staehlin, Illinois PTA State Legislative Consultant and Rhonda Jenkins, Illinois PTA Vice-President Program Services

Thursday, April 22, 8:15 pm – 9:00 pm – Workshop Session II

Reimagining School Family Engagement & Partnerships in PTA

National PTA shares a vision that “All family engagement should transform the lives of every child in America.” This vision is active in local PTA’s across Illinois in small and big ways making a meaningful difference to children and families. This school year has transformed our way of thinking about how personal relationships and connections are integrated into children’s lives. This session is an interactive conversation using the four pillars of National PTA’s Family Engagement Initiative: Inclusive, Individualized, Integrated and Impactful to offer ideas and next steps and to reinforce the value of “all family” engagement in our school communities.

Presenter: Erica Nelson, Illinois PTA Federal Legislative Consultant

What’s Now?: Navigate Your PTA Forward 

Saturday, April 24, 9:30 am – 10:15 am – Workshop Session III

The Power of a Pause

An invitation to pause and consider new beginnings for the health and well-being of our children, parents, caregivers, and educators.

A world-wide pandemic turned our lives upside down. “Regular” living, working, learning has been challenging, stressful and often overwhelming. We had to make big changes and adjust in short periods of time. As the 2020-21 school year draws to a close, we will consider the state of our children’s and student’s mental health and invite reflections on new beginnings.  The upcoming new school year is an ideal time to become still, look inward and ask ourselves how we might parent, learn and teach going forward.

Presenter: Dagmar Kauffman, Founder & Director of On Balance Parenting and creator of the Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously!

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Trauma Informed Schools

Creating a culture of trauma awareness in schools is a journey, not a destination.  It takes an entire community committed to the work and willing to grow together.  In this session you will learn from one community’s journey with five pilot schools the successes and lessons learned on their way to becoming trauma informed.

Presenter:Jill Reedy, Assistant Regional Superintendent of Macon/Piatt Regional Office of Education # 39.

The Right Stuff: A Conversation with Award Winning Illinois PTA Local Leaders.

National PTA offers awards/grants to honor local PTA units. We sit down with Spring 2021 Healthy Hydration Grant Recipients Danyelle Nygard and Ronnie Turner-Winston to reflect on their experience and vision.

Presenters: Danyelle Nygard, TWIN ECHO PTA President 2020-2021; Ronnie Turner-Winston, Urbana Middle School PTSA Treasurer 2020-2021; and Olesya Malloy, Illinois PTA Treasurer 2019-2021

Saturday, April 24, 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm – Workshop Session IV

What’s the P.L.A.N.? Create a Membership Plan.

In this workshop participants will learn the steps of National PTA’s Membership P.L.A.N., how to apply the P.L.A.N. to your PTA and share different ways to ask non-members to join your PTA. This workshop will help jumpstart your board’s membership campaign conversation for fall 2021.

Presenter: Kristin Klis, Illinois PTA Membership Program Director

Community Funding – Grants, Sponsorships, and Partnerships

Find alternative funding methods/programs for your PTA.  During this workshop, we discuss the basics of a grant application, sponsorship request, and partnership arrangement.  You will learn how to maximize your results through simple steps that can be applied to most funding projects.  Participants will leave this workshop with tools they can use to find alternative funding resource for your next PTA project or event.

Presenter:Carolyn McCarty, Illinois PTA President-Elect

Check the Convention Page often for further updates and additional information.

Andy DuRoss
Schaumburg District 54 Superintendent. Mr. DuRoss will host “Harnessing the Power of Positivity” during Workshop Session I on Thursday, April 22.

Mr. DuRoss has served as the Supt. of the largest elementary school district in Illinois since 2013. He believes a positive culture is another key to the success of students and staff. In 2017, he brought the positive psychology principles outlined by Harvard Researcher Shaw Achor to District 54. This training demonstrates how happiness and optimism fuels performance and leads to success. When he talks about student success, he is not just speaking about academic success but social and emotional success as well.

Dagmar Kauffman

Founder & Director of On Balance Parenting and creator of the Heart Talks: Parenting Courageously! will host a workshop “The Power of A Pause” on Saturday morning. Following the workshop, Ms. Kauffman will be General Session II mini-keynote speaker on Saturday.

Ms. Kauffman’s organization supports parents, caregivers, and communities in raising joyful, competent and resilient humans who lead whole-hearted and balanced lives. Ms. Kauffman is committed to creating space for reflection and conversation about our culture’s definition of success, its impact on parenting and the well-being of our children. Ms. Kauffman’s expertise includes parent education, social-emotional learning (SEL), teaching, higher education research & policy analysis and youth prevention. She serves on the Community Alliance for Prevention (Naperville, IL), DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team (Wheaton, IL) and on SXSW EDU Program Advisory Board (Austin, TX). Ms. Kauffman’s publications include OERI education research briefs and ERIC digests on the supervision of student teachers and minority teacher recruitment programs. She is the co-author of the Illinois State PTA Social Emotional Learning Resolution.

Erica Nelson

Illinois PTA Federal Legislative Consultant will present The Power of “I” as the mini-keynote speaker for General Session I on Thursday, April 22. Following General Session, Ms. Nelson will host a workshop called “Reimagining School Family Engagement & Partnerships in PTA.

“Ms. Nelson is a Business Leader Faculty™ member at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Lake Forest, Illinois where she has been teaching in the Center for Leadership Division since 1997. Her teaching concentrates on executive communication, emotional intelligence, and negotiation and conflict management strategy. Erica is the recipient of the Contribution to Learning Excellence Award, the award for Faculty Engagement and LFGSM Champion. She was named Most Distinguished Business Management Faculty in 2003-2004. As a trained mediator, Erica designs coursework in communication strategy and negotiation and partners with leaders in organizations from all types of industries.       

Erica is proud to serve as the Federal Legislative Chair (FLC) for Illinois PTA and work with the members and staff of the Illinois Congressional Caucus to advocate on behalf of public education and our children and family engagement in their local school and community. 

Jill Reedy

Assistant Regional Superintendent of the Macon/Piatt Regional Office of Education # 39 will present “Social Emotional Learning and Trauma Informed Schools” in Workshop Session III on Saturday, April 24.

Ms. Reedy has been in education for 24 years and has experience as a teacher, administrator, curriculum director, and presenter.  She is passionate about bringing awareness to schools and communities, the impact trauma has on students’ brain development, learning, and behavior and the importance of providing supportive relationships to buffer toxic stress.

Jill earned her BA from Illinois State University, her MA from Southwest Baptist University, and her EdS from Eastern Illinois University. Jill Reedy formed the Trauma-Informed Partnership with the Education Coalition of Macon County, Illinois Education Association, and SIU School of Medicine. The partnership provided support to five pilot schools on their journey to becoming trauma informed, while conducting action research along the way. Jill provides professional development throughout Illinois on trauma-informed best practices for schools and communities, and most notably,  had the honor of speaking at the 2019 American Educational Research Association’s Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Andrew Wade

As the Executive Director of NAMI Illinois, Mr. Wade leads the way as NAMI Illinois influences public policies, provides up-to-date education and support programs, and increases public awareness and understanding of mental illness. He also serves as an Executive Consultant to the Instituto del Progreso Latino, leading their strategic initiatives and capacity building. He has also served in leadership roles at Metropolitan Family Services and BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development). Previously, Mr. Wade focused on the education sector with planning, strategy, and advocacy roles at CASEL (Collaborative for Academic/Social/Emotional Learning), the Illinois State Board of Education, the Office of the Governor, and the Chicago School Leadership Cooperative. He holds a B.A. in Education from Northeastern Illinois University and has done Doctoral studies in Education Policy & Leadership at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Illinois PTA 2021 Convention Action Items

2019 2020 AUDIT REPORT
2021-2022 Illinois PTA Proposed Budget
Illinois PTA Proposed Bylaw Amendments
Proposed Online Convention Rules 2021
Resolution on Gun Storage
Resolution on Health Care for Children in the Foster Care System

2021 Illinois PTA Candidates

Illinois PTA presents the final list of nominees (slated and self-nominated)

Program Director Candidates

(2021-2023 Term)

BDNC SLATED (Board Development and Nominating Committee)

• President Elect
  • Greg Hobbs

• Vice President
  • Connie McElyea

• Vice President
  • Olesya Malloy

• Secretary
  • Peg Staehlin

SELF-NOMINATED

• Treasurer
  • Jim Sklena

BDNC Candidates

(2021-2023 Term)

BDNC SLATED

• State Board Candidate
  • Kristin Kramer

Greg Hobbs – Slated Candidate for President-Elect

Greg believes in the mission of the Illinois PTA – To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

Greg has served 35 years as an Illinois Educator – and truly believe the PTA Vision statement of “Every child’s potential is a reality.” Greg has the required skills and ideas to improve Illinois PTA. “We are at a critical point of communicating with our locals – listening and assisting to their current needs.  This is NOT a simple generic plan – this will require specific assistance, based upon the demographics and needs of each PTA.” Greg plans to listen to our PTAs and assist in meeting their own specific needs.

Greg’s background and service in education has allowed him to develop strong leadership skills, demonstrating above average skills with presentations – both in-person and virtually. Greg can implement new solutions and problem solve.

Greg has assisted with Congress to problem solve with our legislative members and worked with the U.S. Department of Education. 

Greg wants to develop trainings that will assist our PTAs.  These trainings will be virtual or face-to-face – pending on the request of the area and/or local.

Greg knows each member and local unit has many questions. Greg knows PTAs are wanting and needing help – for leaders in PTA, for our families, and for OUR CHILDREN.  Greg will make a difference!

Connie McElyea – Slated Candidate for Vice President Field Operations

Connie McElyea has been a PTA member for more than 35 years. She currently serves as Illinois PTA Secretary, Board Development Nominating Committee member, Bylaw Committee Chair and Convention Program Co-chair. Connie previously served on the Illinois PTA State Board of Managers as Secretary, Vice President Program Services, Vice President Department of Education, District 35 Director, Convention General Arrangements Coordinator and Program Chair. In addition to serving on various committees.

She has served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer at the Elementary, Middle School, and Council levels.  In addition, chaired and/or served on many different committees during her 35 years of PTA involvement.

Connie’s community involvement includes previously served on the Moline-Coal Valley School District #40 Board of Education, Moline DARE Secretary, Boy Scout Troop 118 Secretary, and completed the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy and Illinois Quad Cities Police Departments Citizens Academy.   

Connie has worked for a large shopping center for 31 years and has been in her current role as Office Administrator for the past 20 years.

Her awards and honors include Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel “Award of Excellence”, National PTA Honorary Life Membership; Illinois PTA’s Honorary Life Membership; Book of Recognition; Achievement Award; Distinguished Service Scroll and THANKS. Connie received the honor of being selected through her employer as Simon Youth Foundation Local Chairman of the Year.

Connie was married for 33 years before becoming a widow. She has four grown children and eight grandchildren.

Olesya Malloy – Slated Candidate for Vice President of Programs

Olesya Malloy is a dreamer. This summer she decided to serve on Illinois PTA board, after she read Vice President Harris’s call to action:

“Years from now, when this moment has passed, our children and our grandchildren will look in our eyes and ask us: ‘Where were ​you​ when the stakes were so high?’ And we will tell them, not just how we ​felt​—we will tell them ​what we did.”

Olesya signed on to serve as Illinois PTA Vice President of Programs for 2021-2023, to promote Reflections and School of Excellence National PTA Programs to local units and all PTA members, because she knows that we have many young talented and thoughtful citizen like Amanda Gorman that we are yet to see and hear.

Previously, Olesya served as treasurer at Lincoln Elementary PTA and Illinois PTA. She lives in Evanston IL, with her husband, daughter, son and two ferrets.

Peggy Staehlin – Slated Candidate for Secretary

A recently retired Early Childhood Teacher, Peggy has taught preschool, kindergarten, second and third grade. As a mom of five children; she served on the local unit PTA board from the time her oldest was in first grade until her youngest graduated from Middle School.

Peggy has filled a variety of positions on PTA boards at the local, council, district and state level. Her experience as a member of the State Board of Directors encompasses District Director, Resolutions Director, Vice President of Field Operations, President Elect, President, Convention General Arrangement Coordinator and State Legislative Consultant. This afforded her the opportunity to assist in building memories for families through PTA events, speak on behalf of children with trips to Springfield, help local units and councils and sit on state wide committees as a voice for parents.

These past experiences have afforded Peggy a unique insight of the operations of the State Board of Directors. Her knowledge of key deadlines, procedures, bylaws and history, will serve her well as Secretary

Jim Sklena – Self Nominated Candidate for Treasurer

I believe in “community“.  I believe strong communities create better children and make us better adults too.  PTA is one of the best ways I know of to create & build that sense of community.  I have a long history of volunteering with community organizations, including the Boy Scouts, my local high school’s booster club, a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a state-wide on-call Search & Rescue (SAR) team, and, of course, PTA.  I bring more than 30 years of personal experience working with not-for-profit groups and volunteers.  My PTA experience began in 2007 simply serving pizza at a PTA Bingo Night.  Since then, I have served as a PTA officer almost every year since 2008.  I have been a Treasurer and President at both an elementary and Jr. high school, a Council V.P., a Council President for three terms and have served on many committees along the way.

In my role as a Council President, I helped many units navigate difficult situations—filing their PTA’s taxes, budgeting questions, helping them talk through those “is it right or is it wrong to spend money on this program” scenarios, fundraising questions, helping them reinstate with the IRS, navigating filing questions with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, helping them complete their audits, and much more.

I feel that I am well-qualified for and committed to serving as the Illinois PTA’s Treasurer.

Kristin Kramer – Slated Candidate for Board Development and Nominating Committee (State Board of Director’s Member)

Kristin is currently serving as the Illinois PTA President and the District 41 PTA Council Legislation Chair. She has been involved with PTA since 2008 when her youngest son entered first grade. She previously served in the secretary, vice president, and president positions in her local PTAs in Glen Ellyn, as president of the Glen Ellyn District 41 PTA Council and DuPage Region Director.

Kristin joined the state board in 2014 and has served on various committees including Leadership Development, Legislation, Membership, Hospitality and Family Engagement. She has also served as the Convention General Arrangements Chair, Pages/Ushers Chair, Elections Chair and Board Development and Nominating Committee Chair.

Kristin is the mother of two sons, Nate and Ben and works full-time as a licensed insurance agent.

Board Development and Nominating Committee (State Board of Director’s Member – 2^nd position) – No Nominee

Board Development and Nominating Committee (General Membership) – No Nominee

Who can attend convention?

Any PTA member can participate in convention events by registering by April 6, 2021 and paying all required registration fees. Register Now!

How much is registration?

The fee for registration is only $15.00 per PTA member.

If I was listed as a voting delegate by my PTA, do I need to register?

Yes. The delegates provided by your PTA only tell us who is eligible to vote on behalf of your unit.

How can I view convention?  

We will be utilizing Zoom to conduct Convention. Attendees may join the meeting on any computer or smart device with an internet connection that can access the Zoom app or website.  

Selected workshop links will be sent to registered attendees electronically from our state office.  Please watch for emails and plan to connect 10 minutes prior to the start times.   

Why should I attend the Town Hall Meeting?

The Town Hall Meeting is an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about the actions items to be voted on during general sessions. Obtain information on how business will be conducted during the general sessions.  View information on candidates seeking election for the Illinois PTA Executive Committee State Officer Positions and Board Development and Nominating Committee (BDNC).       

Who can participate in General Session? 

Voting delegates will receive a Zoom invitation which will allow them to debate and vote on the business items and the election.

Non -voting delegates may watch the proceedings via a live stream link.  A moderator will watch for submitted comments or questions.                                                            

What is the difference between a voting and non- voting delegate?

A voting delegate is elected or appointed by the local unit, council, district, or region to be a voice and vote during general session.  The number of eligible voting delegates is determined by the state bylaws. Local Unit/Council Presidents are required to submit the names of their delegates to the state office by April 12, 2021.  In the absence of a list, delegate representation will be granted on a first come first serve bases.    

A non-voting delegate is a PTA member who can view general session and attend workshops. 

Both voting and non- voting delegates must register by April 6, 2021 to attend convention.    

How will voting be conducted?

Each voting member must sign in on a separate device in order to vote. Voting will be conducted by Zoom polls during general sessions. Amendments will not be entertained. Main motions will be an up or down vote.  

What is the process for elections?

Election Procedures

How can I prepare for convention?

Review the action items prior to convention.  The actions items will be available on the Illinois PTA Convention Page of the website or via the links provided in the convention packet email sent after registering. 

Attend the Town Hall Meeting to listen to the discussion and ask questions.   

Connect to workshops and general session prior to the start time to ensure no technical assistance is required. 

Become familiar with the settings on your device. 

Take advantage of opportunities to connect with other attendees. 

Participate in workshops and general sessions. 

What’s the Swag Box?

 A T-shirt and information from vendors will be shipped to attendees prior to convention.     

Register Today!

ATTENTION
ADVERTISERS OF GROUND CONTROL
PREPARE TO LAUNCH YOUR RESOURCES!

ILLINOIS PTA 119TH ANNUAL CONVENTION
A VIRTUAL SHARING EXPERIENCE
April 22 & 24, 2021

Lift Off Deadline March 22nd

Join us by becoming an Illinois PTA Convention Advertiser or Sponsor. As we virtually welcome our PTA members to explore a galaxy of topics “to make every child’s potential a reality,” we hope you can help us to provide cosmically valuable resources to our participants. Your materials will be launched out to our Convention Mission Specialists to give exposure to your unique opportunities. A Convention Ad insert can serve as a launch pad for your products and services.  Give an extra boost to your resources through our Swag Pod Special. To Launch this Special Offer please click here.

After our convention, your company/organization will be featured on our website. It’s an opportunity to reach thousands of PTA members statewide!

Advertiser Form