Oh if only i had old records to go through when our group started in 2001...I would have learned something. I was handed a notebook by our principal with about 15 pieces of info in it. Save those records...I am now known as the president who can find any piece of paper that our group has ever dealt with! It was funny that our school psychologist found a old pta scrapbook in his closet from 1971-72, it was interesting to look at and actually got me to keep one every year on our group.
I also make sure that any flyers, Pr releases, bank statements, yearly statements, etc the principal gets a copy. She now has two huge notebooks full of stuff. All of our originals for tax papers are alos in her office, i have copies! You never know what may happen and those documents can be very helpful to someone down the road. One of my favorite things to do every now and then is go through the first years notebook, i had written goals and it is interesting to see where we are at with them. It is also interesting to read the old minutes... it tells you a lot!
I agree with c.brooks, go through the info. I am new to my position and that is where I learned what I am supposed to get done this year. Plus there was a lot of information in the records from years back of things that I wanted to start... and they were already doing, however over the last couple of years just stopped (for unknown reasons). Reading through past years minutes will help give you an idea where your organization was and went, and mabe give you an idea of what things to "visit" again.
I personally do not believe in ever throwing anything away. That does pose a problem from time to time. Go through it and throw away any duplicates. You may learn a few things when you rummage through it. I loved to go through the old PTO stuff when I became pres because I did not go to that school but my husband did. It was very interesting to see how the organization changed from year to year. For the most recent year there were binders that held newsletters, calendars, special event info. They were great guides for me.
I recently became PTO Pres after never having been involved in PTO! Our school secrectaries have asked me what we need to do with boxes of PTO records and stuff from years ago. Does anyone know how long records need to be kept? Thanks! :confused:
That does pose a problem from time to time. Go through it and throw away any duplicates. You may learn a few things when you rummage through it. I loved to go through the old PTO stuff when I became pres because I did not go to that school but my husband did. It was very interesting to see how the organization changed from year to year. For the most recent year there were binders that held newsletters, calendars, special event info. They were great guides for me. 
