Brown International Academy

A relay team needs more than speed — it needs coordination, trust, and someone keeping track of the score.

With PTA elections coming up for the 2026–27 school year, we’re continuing our behind-the-scenes look at Executive Board roles—sharing what they actually involve, how support is built in, and why our current leaders said yes. (And yes, we’re still running with the Olympics theme… even if the closing ceremony was a few weeks ago.)

This week, we’re spotlighting two vital roles that keep our PTA running smoothly and our community connected: Treasurer and Communications.

Erica Gattis (2nd grade and ECE parent) 

What I love about this role: 

Using my accounting background to help the school.

Something that might surprise you about this role: 

It’s much more manageable than it might sound. Most months require only a couple of hours of work, and responsibilities are spread out over the year with clear processes in place.

What the next runner should know:

This is a fantastic way to be involved in the school without a huge time commitment. You’ll gain insight into how the PTA operates, support every other leadership role, and feel confident knowing that the framework and procedures are well-documented.

Baton promise:

We have detailed Treasurer procedures written out to make the transition easy. QuickBooks Online is used for all recordkeeping—it’s intuitive and user-friendly, and I’ll be available to guide you through it step by step.

Why did I say yes? 

This is an easy, high-impact way to get involved in the PTA. You don’t need an extensive finance or accounting background to succeed, and it’s a rewarding way to connect with other parents while supporting our school.

Lightning Round: If this role were an Olympic event, what would it be—and why?

Precision shooting—steady, focused, and detail-oriented, with accuracy making all the difference.

Currently run by: 

Jacqui Somen  and Sarah Secrist (3rd grade parents)

What we love about this role: 

We get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening at the school. When you’re writing the comms, you’re one of the first to know! 

Something that might surprise you about this role: 

It’s fun! You get to work with a great team, you get to communicate using unlimited emojis and you always have your finger on the pulse. 

What the next runner should know:

This could be a one or two person job. A lot of the comms for events and fundraisers have already been written, you will only need to spruce them up for 2026/2027. If you want to create fresh new communications, that’s great. If not, we have a ton of templates set up to make things easy. Feel free to use your creativity!

Baton promise:

We’ll pass on all of our past comms and walk you through getting set up on the platforms. We are always available for questions or guidance. 

Lightning Round: If this role were an Olympic event, what would it be—and why?

Rhythmic gymnastics—with email, social posts, and newsletters moving in sync so everyone stays informed without information overload.

This is a great behind the scenes way to get involved! It’s particularly great for someone whose schedule might make it hard to show up to a lot of events, but still wants to help bring the community together.

Both Treasurer and Communications are key Executive Board roles that help everything else function smoothly.

If you:

✔️ Appreciate organization and clarity

✔️ Enjoy working with numbers or systems

✔️ Love connecting people through communication

✔️ Want to make a meaningful impact behind the scenes

We’d love to talk with you.

☕ Join us at an upcoming Coffee Chat with Principal Joy or PTA Meeting

📌 Learn more: 

• Treasurer Job Description 

• Communications Job Description

📝 Express interest HERE

📧 Questions? Reach out and we’ll connect you directly with Erica, Sarah, or Jacqui - info@brownpta.org.