Where Do Your PTA Fees Go?

There were some questions about the dues at our recent meeting... this is some basic information from the Idaho PTA website that shows specifically where our dues money is going.

2009-10
MEMBERSHIP DUES
PTA DUES $8.00
National -- $1.75
Our Children Magazine
Leadership Books
Posters
Back to School Kits
Spanish Resources
Programs, Legislative
Guidelines and Support
Online Membership Dues Reporting
Cultural Arts Program
Members Only Website
E-Learning Opportunities
National Convention
Retail Discounts to Members

Idaho State dues -- $5.25
Idaho’s Voice Newsletter
State Convention
(Leadership Training, Exhibits,
and Workshops)
Legislative Program
Support and Networking (one part-time employee and rent on that office space)
Idaho Resource Manual
Programs
Field Services
Reflections & Cultural Arts
Programs
Parent Involvement Programs
State Committee Opportunities
also Regional training

Local unit -- $1.00
This covers the expense of our back to school envelopes.

If you'd like more detailed information visit idahopta.net
Thanks!

August 19, 2009 1:51 PM

PTA's Role in Lobbying and Legislative Affairs

Kris Mullen sent this in to answer some of the questions we had about PTA's role in lobbying and legislative affairs. Thanks Kris:

PTA Legislative Reps
Why should my school's PTA have a legislative representative?
Parents are interested in and committed to the success of their children at school. For many, this interest motivates them to participate at their child's school through fundraisers, class volunteer hours, PTA, or school parties. Often, however, a gap exists between such local impact and the far-reaching effects of the decisions made in Boise and D.C. Local PTAs benefit from someone willing to bridge that gap by updating local members on important legislation before it becomes law.

With more than 9000 members, Idaho PTA is the largest parent organization in the state. An organization dedicated to the welfare of children and youth must inevitably concern itself with the laws that affect children or those that may be needed to protect them. --Idaho PTA

What is the role of a legislative representative?
This position can be as simple as providing periodic updates to the local members about important legislation and PTA position statements. Watch our regional blog for updates! The role is expandable to include e-mail blasts encouraging members to contact their legislative representatives, attendance at Leg Day and Advocacy Conference, even writing position statements for Idaho PTA. It's important to simply BE INVOLVED and encourage your membership to voice their opinions.

Last session, legislators considered bills to eliminate public Kindergarten, permanently cease transportation funding for field trips, and decrease the penalties for businesses that serve alcohol to minors. Superintendant Tom Luna's committee is debating such reforms as curtailing public education at the 10th or 11th grade. And with current financial limitations but despite Federal stimulus funds , our state's education budget was cut. Our children bear the impacts of such decisions if we do not voice our opinions.
How can we make a difference?
Idaho PTA representatives sit on several key education committees and lobby Idaho's legislature. As an organization, Idaho PTA publishes Position Statements and Resolutions to convey our perspectives on current issues. These documents are produced throughout the fall and voted on and finalized at Advocacy Conference in Boise in November. Any member can propose a PS or R but you must attend the conference to vote. The consensus issues that come out of Advocacy Conference dictate PTA's legislative priorities and impact lobbying efforts throughout the legislative session. Another important opportunity occurs in February, when PTA sponsors Leg Day, a PTA conference in Boise where attendees meet with the legislature and representatives from Superintendant Tom Luna's office. Local PTA legislative representatives are not required to attend these conferences but should ensure that these opportunities are communicated to the local membership and advocate that their unit an attendee.

Part of the National PTA’s threefold mission is to speak on behalf of all children and youth before governmental bodies and other organizations. These advocacy and lobbying measures include mobilizing individuals, local and state units to work with the National PTA in molding specific government programs, policies, and priorities. --National PTA Website
Let your influence extend beyond your school's boundaries. Our students will all benefit! Begin by logging on to the Legislative tab on Idaho PTA's website:
http://www.idahopta.net/legislative.html

August 14, 2009 3:35 PM

August Meeting Minutes

Hey everyone, we just had our first meeting for August and I thought I'd post an abbreviated version of the minutes. If you'd like the full version please e-mail me and I will send them to you!

We approved our standing rules... each board member will get a copy of these next month.

We approved our budget with an addition of $150 for start the arts. Each board member has a copy of the budget, and copies will be available at each meeting.

Kris Mullen introduced us to Start the Arts. This is a fun new program that will happen 3 times a year. The kids will learn a basic art lesson (on things like impressionism and pointalism and cool stuff like that!) and do a project. We will need lots of volunteers to help with this, so let us know if you are interested in helping.

Jennifer Gunter introduced us to Girls on the Run. This is an after school program that is for girls in 3-5th grades. They have a short self-esteem type lesson and then run as training for a 5K.

We will have information about both of these programs at back to school day. We will also have information about membership, box tops, fall fundraiser, and t-shirts. Our back to school day is Aug. 21 from 11-1pm. We are hoping to have sample cookies from our fundraiser to hand out in the gym... if not we will have popcorn.

We will stuff our back to school envelopes on Wednesday Aug. 12 at 1:00 pm. Feel free to stop by and help if you'd like... we have 600 to do!

Thanks to those who came, and hopefully this will be useful!

August 8, 2009 7:23 PM