Join us for our Family Night Giraffle on Friday May 2, 2025! 5:30-7pm

Friends of Wilson Preschool (FOWP) is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization formed to preserve and provide financial support for Wilson Preschool in Santa Clara.

Many local Santa Clara parents fondly remember Wilson Preschool as the place where their children made their first friends, first learned to work with others and first entered a classroom. Wilson Preschool is a parent participation preschool, opened in September 1981, and part of the Santa Clara Unified School District. When California faced budget challenges and cuts in public education, nine volunteers came together on a monthly basis to discuss how best to support the preschool. From this dedicated group of volunteers, Friends of Wilson Preschool (FOWP) was founded as a charitable organization in 2011. After members plowed through a bit of paperwork, the organization was officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2013.

The Board are a group of volunteers, both alunmni and current parents, meeting four times a year to help support the school - from every day classroom materials, updating classroom library with new books, supporting the teachers' continuing education, hosting nationally recognized speakers, and general operating costs of the preschool. At the end of each school year, FOWP hosts the annual beloved fundraiser called the Giraffle, named after the giraffe. It's a wonderful event, when the Wilson Preschool community gets the opportunity to come together and celebrate a year of learning and growth for both the children and the parents, and also financially support Wilson preschool.

Thank you so much for your support!

Sincerely,

FOWP Board

board roles

President

The President will preside over Board meetings, be ex officio member of all committees, sign documents on behalf of FOWP, appoint persons to committees, call special meetings, represent FOWP, and communicate with the Wilson Preschool Representative on a regular basis to facilitate fundraising and encourage cooperation between the FOWP Board and Wilson Preschool’s administration.

VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President will perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, create and distribute the agenda, conduct elections of Members to the Board, and maintain, update, and distribute relevant information to the Board, including the Bylaws.

SECRETARY

The Secretary will keep and distribute minutes of all Board meetings. The minutes will be distributed prior to the next regular Board meeting.

FUndraising

The Fundraising Chair will act as the liaison between the Board and the Fundraising Committee. The Chair will advise new fundraising committee members, provide ongoing reports of Fundraising Committee activity to the Board, and maintain nonfinancial, fundraising records.

Treasurer

The Treasurer will disburse monies upon the approval of the Board, maintain a budget and keep accounts of the organization, render financial reports at each meeting, and maintain necessary forms pertaining to tax exempt status and taxation. The Treasurer will submit records for audit at the end of each fiscal year.

staff liaison

The Wilson Preschool Representative acts as a liaison between the FOWP and the Wilson Preschool Administration. This Representative will hold the title of Parent Education Supervisor or the equivalent. The Wilson Preschool Representative may attend Board meetings as a nonvoting advisor.

wilson preschool program coordinator

The Wilson Preschool Program Coordinator acts as a liaison between the FOWP and the Wilson Preschool Administration. This Representative will hold the title of Parent Education Supervisor or the equivalent. The Wilson Preschool Representative may attend Board meetings as a nonvoting advisor.

interested in joining the board?

4 meetings throughout the year (June, October, January, April)
Board meetings usually take about one hour
For more information, or to speak directly to one of the board members, e-mail us!

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