The PTO year · November

What should a PTO board do in November?

November: gratitude and the 990 — part of the PTO year, month by month.

November is the deadline-and-gratitude month: the IRS Form 990 is due November 15 for June-30 fiscal years, and staff hit the pre-break wall. In November a PTO board should confirm the 990 is actually filed, thank volunteers and sponsors visibly, prep the holiday shop, and land one small unexpected staff appreciation before the break.

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 — November

  • Confirm the 990 was filed — personally. Ask to see the confirmation, not "yes we're on it." Presidents inherit the blame when exempt status lapses.
  • Thank volunteers by name. Newsletter shout-outs, a note home, a minute at the meeting. November thanks is why people say yes again in January.
  • Confirm December's calendar with the school. Concerts, class parties, shop days — December coordination happens now or not at all.

Treasurer — November

  • Verify the 990 confirmation is in the binder. The acceptance email or stamped copy, saved where next year's treasurer will find it.
  • Prep the holiday shop cash plan. Float, price stickers, two counters per shift, daily reconciliation. Small buyers, lots of cash, easy to lose track.
  • Mid-fall budget check. Fall fundraiser actuals vs. budget — if income missed, trim spring plans now while there's still runway.

Secretary — November

  • Update the donor and sponsor log. Every donation and sponsorship recorded with date and amount — this log writes next year's ask letters.
  • Send December meeting/break notices early. December compresses; anything requiring bylaw notice periods needs to go out in November.

Events & volunteers — November

  • Stage the holiday shop. Inventory received and priced, volunteer shifts filled, class schedule agreed with teachers.
  • Pre-break staff gratitude. Pie the day before Thanksgiving break, or a coffee cart during report-card week. Small and unexpected beats big and obligatory.

Deadlines in November

  • IRS Form 990 — November 15. For fiscal years ending June 30. Three consecutive missed years = automatic revocation of tax-exempt status. This is the one deadline that can kill a PTO.

Start in November, needed later

  • January re-engagement plan. Attendance always dips after break — pick January's draw (speaker, bingo night) now.
  • Spring vendor booking. Fun-run and auction vendors book spring slots in December–January.

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