The PTO year · January

What should a PTO board do in January?

January: the restart — part of the PTO year, month by month.

January is the re-engagement month: families went quiet over break and won't return on their own. In January a PTO board should restart with an easy, fun draw rather than a business meeting, re-recruit volunteers with a fresh "new year" ask, issue any 1099s by January 31, book spring vendors, and quietly start succession conversations about who's leaving in June.

These checklists assume the most common setup — a July 1 – June 30 fiscal year and federal 501(c)(3) status. If your group runs a different year, shift the compliance dates to match.

President — January

  • Restart with a draw, not a business meeting. A speaker on something parents care about, family bingo, a movie night. Get people back in the building first; the agenda can wait for February.
  • Run the "new year, new help" volunteer ask. January's resolution energy is real — a fresh, specific ask lands better now than a guilt reminder.
  • Start succession conversations early. Ask each officer privately: "are you thinking about next year?" Knowing who's leaving in June changes everything about spring.

Treasurer — January

  • Issue 1099-NEC forms by January 31. Any unincorporated contractor you paid $600+ last calendar year — the DJ, the assembly performer, the bounce-house guy. Collect W-9s before you pay people and this is painless.
  • Post-holiday budget check. Holiday shop actuals in, spring commitments not yet made — this is the moment to adjust.

Secretary — January

  • Refresh the public-facing info. Website, social bios, the office handout — half of it went stale since August.
  • File fall event notes into the binder. Every fall chair's "what I'd do differently" captured before it evaporates.

Events & volunteers — January

  • Lock spring vendor contracts. Fun run, auction, field day inflatables — spring calendars fill now. Signed contracts go to the treasurer and the binder.
  • Run the January family event. Low-cost, high-warmth: bingo, movie night, game night. The goal is faces in the building, not revenue.

Deadlines in January

  • 1099-NEC — January 31. For contractors paid $600+ in the prior calendar year. Applies to people, not incorporated companies.

Start in January, needed later

  • Auction donation letters. Item solicitation needs 8–10 weeks of runway before a spring auction.
  • Nominating committee. Many bylaws require forming it 60–90 days before spring elections — check yours now.

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