What is a PTA?

What’s the PTA About?

The National PTA was established in 1897 & is the oldest, largest volunteer organization working exclusively on behalf of all children & youth. The Virginia PTA has roots in the Cooperative Education Association established in 1904. It joined the National PTA in 1921. 

PTA Mission:

• To support & speak on behalf of children & youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;
• To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise & protect their children;
• To encourage parent & public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

PTA Purpose:

• To promote the welfare of children & youth in home, school, community, and place of worship
• To raise the standards of home life.
• To secure adequate laws for the care & protection of children & youth.
• To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents & teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children & youth.
• To develop between educators & the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children & youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social & spiritual education.

PTA Position on Fundraising:

• PTA’s are private, non-profit organizations separate and apart from the school system. No fundraising activity should jeopardize the PTA’s non-profit 501c(3) status with the IRS. The name PTA should not be used to benefit commercial organizations.
• It is the responsibility of your PTA to raise the amount of money needed to meet its proposed plan of work & budget. A PTA is not a money raising organization and providing material aid to schools is not the function of a PTA. Funds raised should be for a definite, pre- determined and/or budgeted purpose.
• As a rule of thumb, for each fundraising activity there should be at least three non-fundraising activities planned that meet the purposes of the PTA.
• Children should never be exploited or used as fundraisers.
• PTA funds belong to the membership and should be used for PTA purposes and not donated to another organization, although this does not prohibit PTAs from providing monetary assistance to other PTAs.

Proposed Change to the Flint Hill PTA By-Laws - Please Review

The 2010-11 PTA Executive Team is suggesting the addition of a second Vice President position.  One VP will oversee all chairwomen and chairmen, and their corresponding activities (fundraisers, cultural events, PGOLD, room parents, etc).  The second VP heads up all PTA communications including web content and weekly emails to the Flint Hill community.  We will vote on this proposed by-law change, shown below, at the PTA meeting to be held within Back to School night.  Please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer Lippman, PTA President, with any questions. 

Proposed Change

Article VIII OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTIONS

Section 3. Officers and their election:

The officers of this association shall consist of:

One (1) President;

One (1) Vice-President, Student and Community Enrichment;

One (1) Vice-President, Communications;

One (1) Secretary;

One (1) Treasurer.

Bylaws and Standing Rules

Bylaws: These describe how the Flint Hill Elementary School PTA functions. Amending the Bylaws requires previous notice thirty days prior and 2/3’s vote by the general membership. All amendments must then be approved by VA State PTA. Bylaws cannot be suspended. Copies of the PTA bylaws are available in the PTA credenza in the school office.

Standing Rules: Standing rules are adopted as needed and used to administer PTA affairs by the PTA Board under the provision of our Bylaws. Standing rules may be amended, suspended or rescinded at any PTA Board meeting with a 2/3’s vote or if previous 30 days notice given, with a majority vote. FHES PTA Standing rules are as follows:

 

• All parents who are PTA members in good standing may make motions, debate and vote at PTA Board meetings.
• PTA Board meeting minutes will be distributed via e-mail to all Board members and posted on the PTA web site so no reading of the minutes is necessary at meetings. There will be a request for corrections before the minutes are approved.
• A Treasurer’s report will be presented at every PTA Board meeting with an opportunity for questions. The report does not need to be approved.
• PTA Board members may submit a written report of committee activity if there are no actions requiring a motion (i.e., change in work plan, change in budget.) All Board members are encouraged to submit monthly committee activity reports to the Secretary to be compiled and available at the Board meeting.
• All Board chairs or committees requiring a motion must first inform the President to be put on the agenda.
• If a motion is required, the following should occur:

1. Motion is made
2. Motion is seconded
3. The President restates the motion
4. Debate or discussion
5. Vote
6. The President announces the result

• During discussion, no member may speak for more than three minutes at a time. The President will alternate discussion between opposing sides. No motion may be discussed for more than twenty minutes unless a motion to extend discussion as been adopted by a 2/3’s vote of those present.
• The President, as the Chair of the meeting, may not take part in any discussion or state opinions. The President may ask the Vice-President or other elected officer to preside if the President wants to enter the discussion. The President does not preside again until after a vote has been taken and announced.
• Any PTA member or non-member wishing to address the Board on a “New Business” item must first inform the President to be placed on the agenda.
• The annual PTA budget is presented at the PTA Board meeting for consideration. The budget is then presented at the PTA general membership meeting for approval. Once a quorum is established, a majority vote of members present is required for adoption. Any amendment to the annual PTA budget of $250 or more must be presented to the general membership for approval.