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.

Secretary

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.

⏰ 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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