PTA What is in it for You?

1. PTAWhat is in it for You? Idaho PTA Benefits and Programs Overview

2. PTA Mission: The overall purpose of PTA • A powerful voice for all children, • A relevant resource for families and communities, and • A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child.

3. Our Beginnings….. • was founded in 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice Birney, a twice-widowed working mother, who served as president, and Phoebe Hearst, mother of publisher William Randolph Hearst, who served as first vice president. Second vice president was Mrs. Adlai Stevenson, wife of the vice president of the United States. • originated with a mission statement that called upon parents “irrespective of creed, color, or condition,” creating a commitment to tolerance long before issues of diversity came into focus. • had a voice in government even before its predominantly female members could vote. The National Congress of Mothers was a leading voice in lobbying for child health and safety issues.

4. What are the Benefits? • PTA benefits your CHILD. • You get connected, discover new resources, tap into a network passionate about your child’s safety, learning, and school experience. Art, volunteer and nutrition programs PTA offers, helps enhance your child’s education.

5. What are the Benefits? • PTA benefits YOU. • You can watch yourself grow, voice your opinions, vote, and make decisions at your school. You gain first hand information on flu vaccines, legislative issues and national decisions being made that affect your family and community. You have the opportunity to be a role model, enjoy PTA benefits, and connect with the Principal, teachers, and staff at school.

6. What are the Benefits? • PTA benefits the SCHOOL. • You can see firsthand what the needs of the school are, help with activities, hear updates from the Principal, get information on school news and legislative news. When parents are involved, schools perform better and teachers feel more supported.

7. What are the Benefits? • PTA benefits everyone involved • Hundreds of studies have been conducted and the same resounding result is number one in determining student success……. • Parent Involvement

8. Programs • Reflections • The Reflections Program is the last art program that recognizes children’s creativity on a Local, State and National Level. With cuts to our State’s education, programs such as these are less and less likely to continue…..that is why PTA finds it important to enhance the arts through their Reflections Program. • Three For Me • Volunteers are harder to come by in our busy schedules and tightening budgets. With the Three for Me program, PTA has set up your volunteer system for you. From commitment cards to Volunteer appreciation certificates, Three for Me is a great tool in helping parents find the time to be involved in your school.

9. Programs • PTA More • Provides opportunities for Fathers to get more involved in their child’s school. When both parents are involved, student success increases and a new perspective to learning is brought to the table. • Healthy Lifestyles • Encourages Schools to engage their students in a healthy way of life, from exercise to eating habits. • Family – School Partnerships • Creates Partnerships between community and schools through businesses, civic organizations and parents beyond the school boundaries.

10. Grass Roots Advocacy & Legislation • Budget cuts have stormed our Education System, fundraising can not make up the difference, but having your voice heard related to policies and legislation MATTERS! • PTA provides the opportunity to have your voice heard and get information on issues related to our children’s education, health and safety back to you.

11. Grass Roots Advocacy & Legislation • Beyond your School Campus • Beyond your School District • Beyond your Neighborhood and Community • You can influence state and federal policies for Idaho’s children.

12. Grass Roots Advocacy & Legislation • If our voice is silent, the only voices being heard are those with other agendas. Including interests that may have a negative impact on Idaho’s children.  • We are most passionate about what is best for our children. • Advocates need to be a united voice, before and during the process, not after it impacts our children.

13. Grass Roots Advocacy & Legislation • PTA offers support and the tools necessary to have a voice at the table for our children!

14. Where your dues make a difference • By becoming a member of your Local Unit PTA you will also be a member of your State and National PTA, the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. • You will be joining a multi-cultural district of proud parents who care about issues that affect children. • PTA is a leader in reminding our nation of its obligations to children and families. • Membership is open to anyone concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. • Membership is what drives this organization and helps protects our country’s greatest resource, • our children.

15. Where your dues make a difference

16. Tax Laws and Non-Profit Status • All the paperwork and information for taxes and non-profit status are available through PTA. • Outside of PTA, insurance policies can cost 10 times as much as what PTA offers, if available at all. • With the new Tax laws for Non-profit organizations, PTA offers a safety net of support for your filing status and paperwork

17. How is PTA different from other Parent Organizations? • Behind every Local PTA Unit is a Region, State and National PTA support group. Idaho PTA also provides a very knowledgeable Executive Director to offer support to the organization. • PTA’s have a blueprint for running your local units smoothly – no need to re-invent the wheel, it is already in place for you. • PTA is a large organization of parents working together for the same purpose, helping our children reach their full potential, does your local organization have that sort of volume behind it’s effort? • PTA provides information to our parents concerning immunizations, influenza, video games, educational legislation, drug and alcohol awareness, nutritional laws and wellness programs, and many information that effect us everyday as educators, parents and families.

18. PTA does not act alone. Working in cooperation with many national education, health, safety, and child advocacy groups and federal agencies, the national PTA organization collaborates on projects that benefit children and that bring valuable resources to its members.

19. Now for the Big Question? • Where would we be today without PTA?

20. Because of Our Founders, America’s schools and communities have today: • the creation of kindergarten classes, • child labor laws, • a public health service, • hot lunch programs, • a juvenile justice system, • mandatory immunization • and many more programs were accepted as national norms. Between 1897 and 1919, 37 state-level congresses were chartered to help carry out the work of the organization.

21. Today, PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation. Our members represent the ethnic diversity of our nation, and they come from the ranks of traditional families, single-parent households, blended families, grandparents, and other caring adults. Together, we continue to serve as the conscience of the country for children and youth.

22. PTA: Every Child. One Voice. • Be a part of a great American heritage • Be a part of a long tradition of child advocates • Be a part of something bigger than ourselves • Be a voice for all the children who are our future and need to be heard • Be proud to be PTA, and carry on the noble mission!!