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Membership is open to
anyone who believes in the Mission and Purposes of National Parent
Teacher Association. Individual members may belong to any number
of PTAs and pay dues in each. Every person who joins a local PTA
automatically becomes a member of both the state and National PTAs.
Together we are a powerful
voice for children.
With your help, we can
continue to work toward PTA's goal of a quality education and nurturing
environment for every child.
PTA Vision
Making every child's potential
a reality.
PTA Mission
PTA is:
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A powerful voice for all children,
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A relevant resource for families and communities, and
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A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every
child.
PTA Values
Collaboration:
We work in partnership with a wide array of individuals and organizations
to accomplish our agreed-upon goals.
Commitment: We are dedicated to promoting children's
health, well-being, and educational success through strong parent,
family, and community involvement.
Accountability: We acknowledge our obligations.
We deliver on our promises.
Respect: We value our colleagues and ourselves.
We expect the same high quality of effort and thought from ourselves
as we do from others.
Inclusivity: We invite the stranger and welcome
the newcomer. We value and seek input from as wide a spectrum of
viewpoints and experiences as possible.
Integrity: We act consistently with our beliefs.
When we err, we acknowledge the mistake and seek to make amends.
The Purposes of the PTA are:
- To promote the welfare of the children and youth in home, school,
community, and place of worship.
- To raise the standards of home life.
- To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children
and youth.
- To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that
parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education
of children and youth.
- To develop between educators and the general public such united
efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest
advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.
The Georgia PTA serves
as a link between the national organization and membership within
the state. A person who joins a local Parent Teacher Association
automatically becomes a member of the National PTA and the Georgia
PTA.
The Georgia PTA represents
over 330,000 members at the state legislature, state board of education
and other education and child-focused organizations; provides support
and training for local PTAs through workshops and publications;
coordinates special projects to promote the welfare of Georgia's
children and youth, and much more.
Districts are geographical
divisions of the state designated by the Georgia PTA to carry on
state work effectively. A council of PTAs is a group of three or
more local unit PTAs within a Georgia PTA District. Districts and
Councils assist local PTAs and PTSAs with membership and training.
The PTA at the local school
level is linked to the state PTA and National PTA, forming a nationwide
network of members working on behalf of all children and youth.
Because of its connections
to the state and National PTAs, the local PTA is a valuable resource
to its school community with (1) access to programs to benefit children,
youth, and their families, and (2) the recognition and size to influence
the formulation of laws, policies, and practices—education
or legislative.
Preschool groups often
round up parents from several neighborhoods and various early-childhood
programs. They involve child-care providers, grandparents, and others
concerned with the education and development of children from birth
to age five.
PTAs serve as a type of
forum where parents, teachers, administrators, and other concerned
adults discuss ways to promote quality education, strive to expand
the arts, encourage community involvement, and work for a healthy
environment and safe neighborhoods.
PTSAs actually provide
youth members with the opportunity to make a difference by developing
leadership skills, learning about the legislative process, increasing
their self-esteem, and contributing to the school. In turn, adult
members gain a new perspective for program development, as well
as acquire a better understanding of the youth of today.
PTA believes that all
children have the right to a quality public education, which allows
each child the opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential.
Special Education PTAs are designed to help parents advocate for
special-needs children.
National
PTA and all state PTAs have been granted tax-exempt status under
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(4).
As such, they must maintain strict adherence to IRC requirements
in order to retain their exemption.
Noncommercial Policy
- PTAs are prohibited under federal law from engaging in substantial
business activities that are unrelated to their tax-exempt purposes,
which are legally defined as educational and charitable.
- PTAs should not endorse products, companies, or foundations.
- PTAs should not sell or lend mailing lists.
- PTAs may accept and acknowledge contributions of sponsors of
PTA programs.
- PTAs may accept advertising as long as it stays within postal
regulations and does not jeopardize the objects and nonprofit
status of PTA.
- PTAs should familiarize themselves with local, state, and federal
laws and requirements regarding licensing and liability before
sponsoring or conducting public events.
Nonsectarian Policy
PTA welcomes into membership
people representing a diversity of cultures, ethnic backgrounds,
and political and religious beliefs. The Purposes of the PTA acknowledge
the importance of a spiritual life in the development of children
and youth. As an association, PTA has the right to offer inspirational
messages to open or close its meetings, but such messages by PTA
leaders or invited religious leaders should be inspirational rather
than sectarian, recognizing that in this pluralistic nation not
all members share the same beliefs. Poetry, quotations from great
men and women, uplifting anecdotes, and moments of quiet meditation
can be used.
Nonpartisan
Policy
All PTA
bylaws, whether national, state, district/region, council, or local,
require the association to be nonpartisan in that it cannot support
or oppose a political candidate. However, PTAs may propose, support,
or oppose legislation needed to achieve the objects, provided that
those efforts do not exceed the limitations placed upon such organizations
under the federal tax laws.
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