Business Members

What is a business member?
Business members are companies that join your PTA, but are usually required to pay a different membership cost than individual members.  Many PTAs offer special incentives for businesses joining their PTA’s.

What does the average PTA charge for a business membership?
There is no specific answer to this since it varies quite drastically across the state.  Dues can vary from $10.00 all the way to $75.00 or more.  As with individual dues, the amount your PTA charges for a business membership is addressed in your bylaws.  Depending on what a PTA is willing to provide a business in incentives, often determines the amount they charge.

What kind of incentives can a PTA offer business members?
The biggest asset you have to offer as a PTA is exposure a.k.a. “advertising”.  You may list your business members in your newsletters, on your PTA bulletin board, your website, student directory, yearbook, etc.  The more you can offer a business, the more your business memberships are worth.

Aside from PTA parents who are business owners, what other places are good to approach for business memberships?
Local businesses located around your school or neighborhoods where your students live.  Your parents are usually their customer base, so what better advertising for them than to show their support of your school.  Just remember….you can never promise a business that you will tell your membership to make a purchase from them, BUT you may tell your members/parents to say “thank you” to that business for their support.

Can a business member attend our meetings or vote on PTA business?
Yes, they can.  They have joined your PTA and therefore are considered a member, but they are only issued one (1) card so no matter how many employees that business has, they only are allowed one vote.