Below is the list of candidates running for office for the Parent Association of Ross Global Academy Charter School for the 2007-2008 school year along with bios for those who submitted them. Voting will take place on Thursday, June 21, at the school, at the election table, from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM and, again, from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM at which times ballots will be provided. Call (212) 995-9722 if you have any questions.
CANDIDATES FOR CO-PRESIDENTS
READA BUNIN EDELSTEIN - 5B (running with Sherrill Collins)
Reada has more than 25 years experience in non-profit management and resource development. She is highly skilled in project development, special events, grant writing, major individual gift fundraising, operations, board relations and training, budgeting and communications. She is a co-founder and principal of E&R Event Design Inc., a special event fundraising consulting firm. Her experience includes seven figure special events honoring CEOs of F500 corporations and multi-national financial institutions, theater benefits, film screenings, golf outings and auctions. Prior to forming her own firm, Edelstein was Associate Executive Director for Communications and Development for the YWCA of the City of New York, responsible for conceptualizing, implementing and managing all private sector fundraising, communications and public relations activities, including special events, member communications, media relations, sponsorships, creation and production of printed materials. On a personal level, she is a single parent with two children: Jenna, age 10, a fifth grader (5B) at Ross Global Academy and a son, Damian, 17, attending Humanities Preparatory Academy (HPA), an alternative NYC public high school. She is currently the alternate Class Rep for 5B; is on the School Leadership Team (SLT) at HPA; was Co-President of the HPA Parent Association; and served on the SLT at Jenna's previous school, PS 163. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Adelphi University.
SHERRILL COLLINS – KB and 5A (running with Reada Edelstein)
History of Parent Involvement at Ross Global Academy. I am PA Board Member/Class Parent Representative, Saturday School Program Assistant, Parent Volunteer. Serve on the Code of Conduct Committee. Served on the Summer Planning Committee Assisted with the Saturday School Program. Reported on both Middle School & School Wide issues as Class Parent Rep. Established a Relationship with Faculty Members. Involved in School Functions (Basketball Championship Celebration, Holiday Events. Clothing and Book Drive , Cultural Day, Bake Sales etc.) Presently training for Junior Girl Scouts for RGA middle school students. Café breakfast volunteer. St. Joseph's School in Greenwich Village. P.T.A Board Member/ Class Parent Representative. Officer of Community Service. Initiated after school volunteer program consisting of thirty NYU student volunteers a semester. Structured and implemented programs: Homework Help, Class Room Support, Tutoring One-on-One, Mandarin, Spanish, Cooking, Knitting, Arts and Crafts, Story Time.Participated in Fundraiser Events. My commitment has been and will continue to focus on creating a community amongst students, faculty, parents and administration. My mission however, is to help fulfill the vision of RGA and the expectations of RGA families. Education is my first priority; if our educators are lovers of education then our children will do more then learn, they will become great thinkers and thrive. Fundraising stands next in line; a vision needs more than funding it needs supporters that believe in a long term worthwhile cause. We have approximately a little over 164 children that fit that description. Facility; we can all hold everyone accountable but at the end of the day we the parents are responsible for our children. While I believe in giving people a chance to fix what is broken, I also believe in the power of a united voice. The P.A.; I believe it is the P.A's job to keep parents informed, involved and united by holding monthly P.A. meetings, parent workshops, social gatherings and creating committees that will benefit the good of the whole school community.
CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT
ALBERT YAU – 5A
I'm a father of three. Currently I'm running a studio specializing in fine jewelry designs, special orders and hand made elegant jewelry. My child, Olivia, is currently in class 5A. I enroll her in RGA to the same believe that this is the century for globalization. Understanding that this experiment needs time to succeed, we had not see many academic achievement this year in RGA as promised prior to our arrival. Like many of the parents that want the school to succeed, I decided to run in the PA board so that this sentiment and opinions can be represented. I would like the PA work closely with the RGA Board & administration in the following areas: 1) to develop a sound academic curriculum at grade level and beyond. Science subject which is missing this year must be restored , Qualified teachers must be hired a.s.a.p., 2) to focus on the school facilities. Everyone in the RGA community knows that This Court House is not build for a school & we just got limited in a lot of normal school functions such as science labs, gyms, library..........etc. The school building search must be active and strategic in cooperation with the RGA Board & local politician. 3) to increase parents' involvement in the whole RGA community.
CANDIDATES FOR TREASURER
RICHARD KIXMILLER – 6B
Shi Zhang in 6b is my step-kid. In April I was elected at a PA general meeting to fill the vice president's position vacated by Chandra Osborne. For 14 years I've had a volunteer position as portfolio manager of a small tax-exempt foundation. For 12 years I've been treasurer of Central Park Track Club. For 7 years I've been treasurer of my building's condo association. For all 3 of these organizations, I've served on their committees to amend bylaws or certificate of incorporation. I'm familiar with the 501(c)(3) application process for IRS tax-exempt status.
Since becoming involved with the PA upon the suspension of Mr. Marchese in February, I don't believe I have missed a PA meeting and have only missed one trustees' meeting. During this time period the incumbent treasurer missed 90% of the meetings. Our bylaws say: "Any officer who fails to attend three (3) consecutive executive board meetings without good cause following written notice from the executive board, shall be removed from office…". Our bylaws also say: "The treasurer shall also prepare and provide regular treasurer reports in addition to the January 31st interim and June annual accounting reports." To my knowledge no such reports have been issued. If elected I plan to maintain my attendance record and deliver timely financial statements.
ISODORA BOLTON – 1B
I am the Payroll/HR Associate for a nursing home and manage a $1.4 million dollar payroll budget as well as write checks to pay our biweekly and monthly bills. I am well aware of my fiduciary duties as a person who is entrusted with money and bank accounts. During my time as Treasurer of RGAPA, I have secured an EIN that was needed to open a bank account for the PA of which I am solely responsible. I initiated the first Scholastic Book Fair, which was very successful, thanks to the parent body of RGA. Robert Fighera and I are in the process of working with a pro-bono attorney to file for the PA's 501c3 non-profit status. This will enable the school community to fundraise on a larger scale. Having a non-profit status will allow us to subsidize or pay for field trips, special events and special after-school and summer programs that Ross Global Academy will not pay for or offer to the students. Filing for non-profit status at this time is not a popular idea for most of the people on the PA, but if we are truly about the children, this will benefit them in ways beyond our expectations. It would be a mistake to wait until the fall to begin the process of filing for this status. We will not be eligible for grants from major companies like Wal-Mart and Lands end, for example, to aid in funding our 2007-2008 after school enrichment and summer programs because they only give to non-profit organizations. I would like to continue as the Treasurer of the PA to complete the filing for the non-profit status and to be in the position to work towards raising money to help get what we were promised when we signed on to have our children attend RGA and to always be moving forward.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
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