Your Name: Andrea Battaglia
MoPTA Board of Managers Position: VP Communication
Years Involved in Board of Managers: Since 2014
What does your position do?
Through the VP of Communication role, I know that I can help Missouri PTA communicate more effectively, more relevantly and more strategically.
I will provide relevant communication and effective resources to help you improve your unit/council, programs, recruiting and procedures. I’m comfortable asking tough questions and helping to create an innovative solution to improve current methods. Our voice is our lifeline. It’s also one of our strongest tools to encourage action and empower change. By strengthening Missouri PTA messages to you and for you, we’ll all be better served – and have a large impact for the children of Missouri.
Unit/Council, Region & Years Involved: Since 2012
I’ve been involved at the unit level for nearly six years serving as Secretary, Membership Chair and Treasurer. I’ve been involved with Missouri PTA for over four years and served as PR Chair and Contact Editor. (You can get involved if you’ve been in PTA for a few years – like me – seriously! Your unit, council and Missouri PTA will be better served having you as an active leader.)
Why are you involved in PTA?
I like getting involved where I know I can make a difference – it’s what I enjoy about Missouri PTA. I really like these people and am inspired by the passion and dedication of my fellow BOM (and friends).
Favorites:
Food/Drink:It used to be cheese and then I stopped eating dairy and I can barely answer this question for anything! (the struggle is real). Eggs, I eat eggs every day. I could eat them for every meal.
Season:I look forward to every season – I love them all.
Entertainment (Book, Movie, TV, Band, Music): I love a good mystery – books, movies, tv – my favorites are Sherlock Holmes (I’ve read all of these stories) and Agatha Christie (I’m trying to read all of the mystery books she’s ever written)
Activities/Hobbies: I’m an organization expert and share my ideas through my website and leading workshops. I’m an avid runner (slow and dedicated), regular weight-lifter and devoted clean-eater.
Quotes
More about you:
Describe yourself in 3-5 words: Strategic, Innovative
Healthy Living Tip: Focus on tiny, realistic changes and write everything down.
What makes you stand out?
I am a strategic, disciplined leader who speaks with confidence, clarity and focus. I know that I have the ability to empower others with my voice, my innovation and my leadership. I’ve spent this year focused on, “What can I do?” and it’s led me to understand that I can make a larger impact the more I can share significant items in my life with those who have similar goals.
What are you learning this year?
I’ve been thinking a lot this year about “What can I do?” and if I can help make the situation better by being involved then I get involved. The question really makes me focus, not on “what needs to be done” but “what can I do” and so I’ve started asking the question much more often (and specifically), “What can I do to help?” or “Could I help you with (this)?” and it usually turns out my help is needed and appreciated, and I only know when I ask this important question, “What can I do?”
That question – and that mindset – have been keeping me delightfully involved and invested in meaningful support this year.
What is a goal you have this year?
I like to theme my years so I’m more focused on a specific goal. My theme for 2018 is “Encouragement” – I’ve been spending this year thinking of small, specific ways that I can immediately encourage, empower or support others – especially women. I have a confident, powerful voice and I’ve noticed many women are afraid of their ideas. If what I can do this year is give them (or you) strength to believe in themselves, then I’ve done my best.
What is a proud accomplishment?
I’ve been married for almost 17 years and my husband, Matt, is also involved in our PTA unit as an officer. We have three kids – Brady (5th grade), Beckett (2nd grade) and Bryce (1). We’ve lived in Springfield, Missouri since 2005, after moving back to the area from Baltimore, MD. I work full-time in fundraising – leading a team that manages communication, engages volunteers, plans events and supports fundraising through student scholarships – so I’m very familiar with leading positive change toward a significant, valuable cause.
Something interesting you’ve done this year:
My husband and I bought a business – an online clothing store for girls – it’s been an adventure. I get to stretch my creativity through branding, marketing and visuals for the business. Seems like we spend every free minute working on something to make improvements – there are so many ideas!