What your board should be doing right now

Every month of the PTO year, by role — the tasks, the deadlines that bite, and the things to start now so they're ready later. Assumes a July–June fiscal year; adjust if yours differs.

November: Gratitude and the 990

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.

Events & volunteers

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 that bite

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 now, thank yourself 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.

Prefer the readable version? Read the November guide · or see the whole PTO year at a glance.

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