Becoming a part of the PTA at Louise Archer Elementary is an excellent way to connect with our school community and make a meaningful impact on our students’ educational experience. The PTA thrives on the dedication of our parent volunteers, and there are many opportunities to get involved—from leading large-scale events to providing behind-the-scenes support. Whether you have just a few hours a month or are looking for a more significant commitment, your time and talents are invaluable. Descriptions of each role follows.
Executive committee
President
The PTA President serves as the chief leader and ambassador for the Louise Archer Elementary PTA, guiding its vision and keeping everyone focused on student-centered goals. Each school year begins with a planning conversation with the principal and the executive board to set priorities—such as family engagement, fundraising for school improvements, or support for specific educational initiatives.
The President mentors and supports committee chairs, helping them recruit volunteers, resolve challenges, and connect their work to the PTA’s overall mission. They oversee the budget process with the Treasurer, review income and expense reports, and ensure that funds are used responsibly and transparently. The President also plays a key role in fostering a welcoming, inclusive culture—encouraging new families to join, recognizing volunteers, and celebrating milestones throughout the year.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys big-picture thinking, collaboration, and building relationships across the school community.
Vice President
The PTA Vice President is the President’s key partner and helps ensure that the association runs smoothly and effectively. At the start of the year, the Vice President collaborates with the President to establish PTA goals and priorities, then works directly with committee chairs to help turn those goals into action.
The Vice President keeps an eye on ongoing programs, monitors timelines, and helps fill gaps in volunteer coverage. When the President is unavailable, the Vice President may preside over meetings and keep agendas on track. Additional responsibilities often include coordinating Room Parents, managing “Stock the Fridge” efforts, and organizing Teacher Appreciation Week activities.
This role suits someone who enjoys organizing, supporting others, and stepping in where needed to keep things moving.
Treasurer
The PTA Treasurer is the guardian of the association’s finances, making sure every dollar raised and spent aligns with PTA goals and bylaws. At the beginning of the year, the Treasurer works with the President and officers to draft an annual budget that reflects planned events, grants, and operating expenses.
Throughout the year, the Treasurer maintains clear financial records, reconciles the bank account, and ensures that expenditures are authorized under the approved budget. They issue payments to vendors, reimburse volunteers, and prepare regular financial reports for the board and membership so everyone can understand how funds are being used.
The Treasurer also supports the annual audit by assembling records and implementing any recommended improvements. This role is a good fit for someone who is comfortable with numbers, enjoys organization, and values transparency.
Secretary
The PTA Secretary serves as the association’s recordkeeper and communications hub. At the start of the year, the Secretary maintains an accurate roster of officers, committee chairs, and members, and prepares agendas for executive board and general meetings.
During meetings, the Secretary records concise minutes—capturing attendance, motions, votes, and key discussion points—and shares them for review and approval. The Secretary often helps maintain the PTA calendar of events and deadlines and may be a point of contact for members seeking information about upcoming activities or procedures.
This role works well for someone who is detail-oriented, enjoys writing, and likes keeping everyone on the same page.
Communications
Directory Chair
The Directory Chair manages the school’s PTA directory, making it easy for families and staff to stay connected. At the start of the year, the Chair works with the PTA board, previous chair (if available), and AtoZ Connect support to roll over and configure last year’s data.
They ensure class groupings, teacher assignments, and privacy settings are correct before inviting families to verify their information. The Chair collaborates with school administrators and teachers to keep rosters accurate, publishes the directory, and remains the point of contact for families who need updates. They may also provide mailing lists or reports to the PTA board as needed.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys light data work and helping families stay connected.
Social Media / Facebook Page Admin
The Social Media Coordinator serves as the voice of the PTA online, using platforms like Facebook and other social channels to keep families informed and engaged. They develop a simple content rhythm that aligns with PTA events, fundraisers, meetings, and school news.
Working with committee chairs and the communications team, they gather photos, flyers, and key messages, then create posts that announce upcoming activities, celebrate volunteers, and spotlight student successes (always following school and PTA privacy guidelines). They may also recruit additional volunteers to help with content or monitoring.
This role suits someone who enjoys social media, storytelling, and keeping families in the loop.
Sunbeam
The Sunbeam Chair manages the PTA’s weekly Sunbeam newsletter, helping families stay connected to school happenings in a clear, friendly format. Each week, the Sunbeam Chair gathers updates from committee chairs, school staff, and PTA leadership, then organizes them into a concise, easy‑to‑read newsletter.
They prepare and send the Sunbeam through the PTA’s email platform, ensuring it reaches subscribers on schedule. The role also includes monitoring the Sunbeam and Webmaster inboxes, responding to questions or forwarding messages to the appropriate PTA leaders. Additionally, the Sunbeam Chair refreshes items in the PTA store via Givebacks, keeping offerings current and relevant.
This role is perfect for someone who enjoys communication, light editing, and helping families stay in the loop.
Webmaster
The Webmaster manages the PTA website and ensures families can easily find accurate, up‑to‑date information. This role focuses on keeping the site organized, visually consistent, and aligned with school branding so parents can quickly locate calendars, event details, volunteer opportunities, and important announcements.
The Webmaster works with committee chairs to post event information, flyers, photos, and sign‑up links. They make sure pages stay current, links work correctly, and navigation remains simple and intuitive. The role also includes basic site maintenance—updating plugins, keeping the content management system secure, and managing user permissions for board members and committee chairs who need access.
This position is well‑suited for someone who enjoys light website editing, staying organized, and helping families stay informed.
Fundraising events
Book Fair
The Book Fair Chair coordinates with the book fair vendor (often Scholastic), works with school staff to schedule the fair, and organizes volunteers for setup, sales, and breakdown. They help promote the event and manage simple financial tracking with the Treasurer.
Dining for Dollars
Dining for Dollars coordinators arrange restaurant-based fundraisers where a portion of sales is donated to the school. They contact local restaurants, schedule events, and promote them to families.
LA5K Committee
The LA5K Committee organizes the school’s 5K event, working on route planning, registration, promotion, volunteers, and race-day logistics.
Original Works Chair
The Original Works Chair manages the art-based fundraiser where student artwork is turned into keepsakes. They coordinate with the vendor, work with teachers on art submissions, and communicate ordering details to families.
Read-A-Thon
The Read-A-Thon team organizes a reading-focused fundraiser, setting dates, sharing reading logs or online platforms, and encouraging participation. They coordinate prizes or recognition and work with the Treasurer on donations.
Silent Auction
The Silent Auction Chair organizes an auction of donated items or experiences. They solicit donations from families and local businesses, manage item descriptions and bidding (often online), and coordinate communication and logistics.
Spirit Wear Chair
The Spirit Wear Chair manages school-branded clothing and accessories. They work with vendors to select the pre-made designs that will be available for order and help to promote spirit wear to families.
PTA events
Faculty Volleyball Game Committee
This committee organizes a fun volleyball game featuring faculty, coordinating the date, space, promotion, and simple logistics like tickets or concessions.
International Night Committee
The International Night Committee helps plan an evening celebrating the diverse cultures in the school community. They coordinate family participation, displays, performances, and food, and manage event logistics.
Movie Night Committee
The Movie Night Committee plans family movie events at the school, handling licensing, setup, concessions, and promotion.
Pizza Bingo Committee
This committee organizes Bingo nights with pizza, coordinating game materials, food, volunteers, and communication.
Skate Night Coordinator
The Skate Night Coordinator works with a local rink to schedule a school skate night, promotes the event, and helps manage check-in and simple logistics.
Sock Hop Coordinator
The Sock Hop Coordinator plans a themed dance event, coordinating music, decorations, refreshments, and volunteers.
STEAM Extravaganza
The STEAM Extravaganza team organizes a hands-on event featuring science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities. They coordinate stations, volunteers, and materials, and promote the event to families.
Support roles – student support
Before and After School Programs Chair
The Before and After School Programs Chair organizes enrichment activities that take place outside regular school hours. They work with school administration to determine available space and guidelines, then connect with approved vendors (such as art, STEM, language, or sports providers) to offer a variety of classes.
The Chair coordinates schedules, fees, and class sizes; promotes programs; manages registration; and communicates with families. They may also handle rosters, room usage, supervision, and pick-up procedures, and work with the Treasurer to track payments and budgets.
This role suits someone who enjoys logistics, variety, and helping students explore new interests.
Cultural Arts Assemblies Chair
The Cultural Arts Assemblies Chair brings enriching performances and presentations to Louise Archer—such as music, dance, theater, storytelling, or science demonstrations. They research and vet age-appropriate presenters, negotiate contracts, and handle scheduling and technical needs.
The Chair collaborates with administrators and teachers to reserve spaces and arrange sound, seating, and lighting. They manage the Cultural Arts budget, submit invoices, and promote events through newsletters and announcements. On the day of an assembly, they welcome performers, oversee setup, and help ensure a smooth experience.
This role is ideal for someone who loves the arts and enjoys planning special experiences for students.
Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator
The Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator supports the school’s participation in the Odyssey of the Mind creative problem-solving program. They help organize teams of students and volunteer coaches, manage registrations and fees, and distribute problem materials.
The Coordinator works with families and staff to secure practice spaces, set schedules, and communicate deadlines and tournament logistics. They track expenses related to registration, materials, and travel, and partner with the Treasurer as needed. On competition days, they serve as a main point of contact for teams and help troubleshoot last-minute issues.
This role fits someone who enjoys creativity, teamwork, and supporting student-led projects.
Reflections Chair
The Reflections Chair leads the school’s participation in the National PTA Reflections arts program. They review the annual theme and guidelines, then work with administrators and teachers to adapt them for the school.
The Chair promotes the contest to students and families, organizes and catalogs entries across categories (such as dance, film, literature, music, photography, and visual arts), and recruits judges. They coordinate judging sessions, notify participants of results, and arrange awards or recognition displays. They also help advance winning entries to the district level and manage any related expenses.
This role is ideal for someone who values student creativity and enjoys organizing events with a celebratory feel.
School Supplies Coordinator
The School Supplies Coordinator oversees the preparation and distribution of grade-appropriate school supply kits so that students arrive on the first day ready to learn. They work with teachers and administrators to finalize supply lists and quantities, coordinate with vendors, and manage orders.
Closer to the start of school, they help organize and distribute kits, communicate with families about pick-up or delivery, and coordinate with the Treasurer on payments and invoices.
This role suits someone who enjoys planning ahead and making back-to-school smoother for families.
Support roles – teacher support
Holiday Cookie Carry Chair
The Holiday Cookie Carry Chair organizes a festive cookie event for staff, coordinating bakers, collecting treats, and arranging a welcoming display. They communicate with families about contributions and help ensure staff feel appreciated during the holiday season.
Mini Grants Coordinator
The Mini Grants Coordinator helps teachers access PTA-funded classroom resources. They share grant information, collect applications, coordinate review and approvals, and communicate decisions. They also work with the Treasurer to manage funds and reimbursements.
Staff Supply Closet Committee
This committee helps keep the staff supply closet stocked and organized. Members may gather donations, purchase needed items, and periodically check inventory so teachers have easy access to everyday supplies.
Sunshine Committee
The Sunshine Committee helps celebrate staff milestones and special moments—such as birthdays, retirements, or life events. They may organize cards, small gifts, or notes of appreciation to brighten staff members’ days.
Other roles
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee reviews the PTA’s financial records at the end of the fiscal year or when there is a change in Treasurer. The committee is typically made up of three impartial members who were not involved in managing finances during the year.
They collect bank statements, check registers, receipts, deposit slips, treasurer reports, budgets, and minutes approving expenditures, then compare records to verify that income and expenses are properly documented and authorized. If everything is in order, they prepare a brief audit report; if issues are found, they recommend corrective actions.
This role is ideal for volunteers who appreciate clear processes and want to help maintain trust and accountability.
Membership & Donations Committee
The Membership & Donations Committee helps build a strong, engaged school community by encouraging families, staff, and community members to join the PTA and support it financially. At the start of the year, the committee designs a membership campaign—using flyers, posters, and digital content to explain the benefits of joining.
They track membership signups through an online platform, coordinate with the Treasurer on dues, and ensure members are recorded for reporting. The committee also encourages donations, manages matching gift programs, and may support “no-fuss” fundraisers or teacher appreciation funds. They keep records of contributions and help thank donors through notes or public acknowledgments.
This role works well for someone who enjoys welcoming people, promoting involvement, and adding creative touches to campaigns.
Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Liaison
The SEPTA Liaison serves as a bridge between the school’s PTA and the district’s Special Education PTA, advocating for students with special needs and promoting inclusive practices. They stay informed about special education events, resources, and initiatives and share relevant information with the PTA board, parents, and staff.
Within the school, the liaison helps ensure families of students receiving special education services feel represented and supported—by promoting awareness events, connecting parents with resources, and encouraging inclusive PTA programs.
This role suits someone who cares deeply about inclusion and wants to help all students feel supported.
Superintendent Family Connection Group Liaison
This liaison participates in the FCPS Superintendent Family Connection Group, attending meetings to share family feedback and discuss potential improvements across the district. They help convey information between families and the superintendent’s office and advocate for the interests of all students in Fairfax County Public Schools.
This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable speaking up, listening to diverse perspectives, and sharing information back with the school community.
Volunteer Coordinator
The Volunteer Coordinator connects people with opportunities to help at the school—essentially serving as the “people organizer” of the PTA. At the start of the year, they often create a volunteer interest form (online or on paper) to learn about parents’ availability, interests, and skills.
They maintain a volunteer list and match people with roles such as classroom helpers, event staff, committee members, executive roles, or one-time tasks. For specific events, they work with committee chairs to determine needs, create sign-up sheets (often using SignUpGenius), and promote them through newsletters or social media. They also answer volunteer questions and help ensure volunteers feel welcomed and appreciated.
This role is perfect for someone who enjoys connecting people, staying organized, and building relationships.