PTA and Foundation fundraising updates

Dear Cleveland Community,

As we shared last week, the PTA and Foundation have jointly decided to cancel this year's auction due to a lack of volunteers, news which disappointed and surprised many.  We think it is important for you to understand why this happened and know what you can do if you would like to see an auction or alternative party in the future. 

Several calls for volunteers were made over the course of the school year and unfortunately, few people stepped up to volunteer for the auction committee. Without enough people to put on this large event, it was deemed unrealistic to hold the auction.  As stated in the announcement on January 15, “It's important to note, no one person or group is at fault, nor is it for lack of trying.”

What can you do? Volunteer! The PTA and Foundation are both in desperate need of volunteers to round out our boards and to head committees such as those for the Auction, Fundraising and Programming. Don’t want to join the board? Sign up to be on a committee and help shape events that the community can attend to support our school. Contact Amy at chsptapdx@gmail.com or Christina at cmarcoules@comcast.net

In the meantime, we are regrouping and our teams are committed to finding ways to build community and raise funds for our two organizations in order to help support CHS in the year ahead.  Here are some alternative ways to financially support the CHS PTA and Foundation.

1) Save the date - Saturday, April 11 - and join us for a Spring Fling at Carvlin Hall, St. Philip Neri Church.  Tickets are just $10 and the event will feature an evening of live music, laugh out loud comedy, delicious food, and refreshing drinks.

2) Host a buy-in party (and/or sign up to go to one once they are announced!)

3) Can't attend an event but want to pay it forward for next year? Make a donation to the PTA & Foundation.

4) Want to go to Hawaii? Purchase a raffle ticket for $20 online here. Only 500 will be sold!

In short, please consider volunteering, and if you can’t volunteer, consider donating to the PTA and Foundation, and if you can’t donate, ask your place of business or family to donate.  Every little bit helps and is appreciated.  

We hope to bring back the auction next year, as it is a most important fundraising event. But we can only do it with your help. Thank you to all those who have stepped in to show support as we navigate this challenging decision.

Go Warriors!

Amy Lewin & Christina Marcoules

CHS Auction 2020 cancelled

Dear Cleveland Community,

After much deliberation, the PTA and Foundation have jointly decided to cancel this year's auction, scheduled for March 14, 2020.  We are disappointed, and yet we know this is the right decision for our community this year. 

Impact
The auction is the primary community fundraiser for CHS PTA and CHS Foundation.  The PTA relies on fundraising to support our students and staff with classroom & facility needs.  The Foundation is the only entity within our community able to raise funds to augment the school's staffing needs, and has successfully fundraised for an additional teaching position to benefit students in recent years.

How We Got Here
At 60 days out, without the volunteer capacity to get us to the finish line, we have come to the decision that  we are better off canceling this event and regrouping.  Some of you may not realize that this event has struggled to sustain itself.  In recent years, the auction would not have happened were it not for an incredible personal lift by a very small handful of extraordinarily committed volunteers.  It's important to note, no one person or group is at fault, nor is it for lack of trying.

Where We are Going
This decision allows us an opportunity to redefine what our community needs as a more sustainable volunteer and inclusive fundraising model for all families at Cleveland.  We are grateful for the collaborative decision making of the PTA and Foundation as we move forward on behalf of the entire Cleveland community.

Next Steps
We will meet as a committee and community next Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. in the CHS Library, just before the PTA board meeting and presentation of Screenagers: The Next Chapter at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.  All are welcome.  If you’re not able to attend next week, please share your thoughts -- feedback and suggestions are welcome at this survey link.

Thank you for all for the ways you support Cleveland High School. 

Sincerely,
Amy Lewin (PTA President) and Christina Marcoules (Foundation President)

Join the PTA and get a pass for the Adidas Company Store!

Cleveland PTA is thrilled to announce that your PTA membership now gets you access a few times a year to the Adidas Company Store (along with other benefits). There is a current pass for use from Dec 9-22. To get this access you need to have your email on file with OR-PTA and have a membership card. CHS PTA has not registered the email of members, only your name. So to get this offer, you need to both have your email on file with OR-PTA and have them generate an electronic membership card for you.

They are ready to help - here are the steps for current members (to become a member see below):
1. Email your name to office@oregonpta.org - let them know you are from Cleveland High School (if you need to check if you are a member, you can ask here too). The office is closed Dec 12-16th so expect a delayed response then.
2. Staff will then email you a membership card and the Adidas shopping pass

If you want to become a member, go here: https://www.oregonpta.org/membership and then select Cleveland as your school. An electronic membership card will be emailed to you immediately. Followup the form with an email to office@oregonpta.org to get the Adidas Store pass emailed to you.