PTA Basics
What is the mission of PTA?
PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering family and community to advocate for all children. The Mission Statement and other resources are available in foreign languages on the National PTA website: www.pta.org.
What is the PTA logo and tagline?
Information on usage of the PTA logo is available at this link: https://mopta.org/logo-usage/
In order to create a stronger unity among constituent PTA units nationwide, National PTA adopted the tagline “everychild.onevoice.” This tagline should be used by all PTAs as frequently as possible on all materials such as newsletters, flyers, programs, and correspondence. Refer to the National PTA website or PTA Quick Reference Guides for instructions on how to customize the logo for your local PTA. Contact the state office if you have difficulty customizing it for your unit. Your PTA may opt to use an additional theme of your own in addition to the logo and tagline; that is up to you.
What is a local unit identification number? How can I find out what our number is?
National PTA assigns a local unit ID number when a unit is chartered. This number is used for record keeping purposes by the state and National PTA. If you cannot find your local unit ID number, contact your regional director or the state office.
What is the difference between region, council and local unit PTAs?
A local unit is a self-governing PTA unit that plans programs and activities to meet the needs of children and their specific school community.
A council is a group of three or more local unit PTAs organized by the state PTA for the purposes of training and coordination of the efforts of local PTAs. Your PTA may or may not be part of a council; it will depend on where you are located.
A region is a geographic division of the state PTA established to ensure close contact between local units/councils, Missouri PTA and National PTA. In Missouri, there are eight regions.
Why do we have a regional director?
The regional directors give each local unit and council a personal contact within the geographic area for individual guidance. Every PTA council and every local unit is assigned a specific regional director. These directors receive training from Missouri PTA, serve on its Board of Managers and provide information and guidance of a non-interfering nature.
Who can attend the Missouri PTA Annual Convention in the spring?
Any member is welcome to register. Outgoing and incoming officers, as well as school administrators, are encouraged to be part of this annual meeting by attending the general sessions, workshops, and celebratory events throughout the weekend. Registration forms are mailed to presidents and posted on the website in January or early February. Each PTA will be allowed a limited number of voting delegates based upon their previous year’s membership total.
I am a member unit of a council, who should attend those meetings, and how do I find out when they are held?
The council delegate(s) are the people chosen by the local unit to represent the unit at council meetings. The vital role of the council delegate is to maintain a close link between the local unit, the council, State and National PTA. The selection of council delegates (and their term of office) is determined by the bylaws of the member unit. The specific number of delegates from each member unit is specified in the bylaws of the council (council bylaws may also require that unit delegations include the president and/or school principal/designee). While council meetings are open to all members of its member units, only delegates (as stated in the council bylaws are allowed to participate in voting). You need to contact the current and/or outgoing council president to find out when the council meetings are held.