An overview of the PTA for Head Start families and workers to better prepare them for joining their local PTAs and serving in leadership positions.

1. Building Bridges With
National PTA
Sherri Wilson, Senior Manager Family & Community Engagement
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
National Head Start Association Family Engagement Conference

2. You’d Be Surprised to Know..
In my “spare time” I’m an amateur travel blogger!

3. Who are you?
Stand up if you have ever held a leadership
position in a PTA
Stand up if you know anyone who has ever held a
leadership position in a PTA
Stand up if you have ever heard of PTA
Sit down if you think this outfit is adorable

4. PTA Mission
The overall purpose of PTA is to make
every child’s potential a reality by engaging
and empowering families and communities
to advocate for all children.

5. A Common Purpose
National PTA
• Making every child’s potential a
reality.
• A powerful voice for all children
• A relevant resource for families
and communities
• A strong advocate for education
and well being of every child
Reference: National PTA Website
National Head Start Association
• All children should reach their full
potential
• Every child can succeed
• We can impact the success of
“at-risk” children
• Quality early education fundamentally
transforms children and families
Reference: National Head Start Association Website
5

6. What We Do
PTA successfully advocated for:
 Child labor laws
 School lunches in schools
 Public school transportation
 Safety belt laws
 Internet safety for children
 The right to an education for children of undocumented
immigrants
 Laws to keep tobacco and alcohol companies from
marketing to youth and children.

7. PTA Structure
Local Units
State
Units
National
Unit

8. Local Units
Local Unit – There are 24,000 local units worldwide. Members work
together to address local school issues. Through its own plans,
programs and activities, the local PTA strives to meet the needs of
children and youth in its own community!
Membership – annual dues can be as little as $5
Bylaws – PTAs are governed by bylaws which are voted on by its
members. The bylaws must not conflict with State or National
bylaws

9. Types of Local PTAs
SEPTA Issue
Community
School
Based
Focused
Gender
focused
PTSA
Language
Focused

10. State PTA
There are 54 PTA Congresses.
 Liaison between Local and National PTA
 Separate and independent entities but subject to
National PTA bylaws & policies
 Provide support, advice and field service for local units
through the State Board
 Network with similar state level child advocacy groups
 Promote PTA programs
 Conduct state level conferences
 Non-profit status

11. Nationwide Network

12. National PTA
A powerful voice for all children
The National PTA headquarters are in Alexandria, VA and staff provides
leadership, programs, support and resources for over 4 million members.
Works with many national educational, health, safety and child advocacy groups,
external partners, and federal agencies.
Member Benefits – Discounts from PTA Sponsors
National Programs
• Family & Community Engagement
• Urban Family Engagement Network
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Reflections – Arts in Education
• School Relations and Diversity

14. Q&A?

15. Sherri Wilson
Senior Manager Family and Community Engagement
National PTA
703-518-1244
swilson@pta.org
www.PTA.org
@PTAswilson