Dear PTA Partners,
It’s exciting to hear all the great things our local units are doing with membership and I can’t wait to hear what our November membership numbers are. Indiana PTA has set a pretty aggressive goal of being 30,000 voices strong for our children and each of you are doing a tremendous job of helping us reach that goal. We will keep you informed of how close we are to reaching that goal as you continue to increase the number of voices representing the children of Indiana.
Indiana PTA’s Legislative Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2010 and we are very excited that our attendance has grown so much at this event that we must change locations to the Hyatt Regency downtown Indianapolis. Invite your board, administrators, teachers and membership to attend. Those attending will receive valuable information that will assist them in becoming a better advocate for our children. Please plan to attend.
Enclosed you will find information from the Nominating Committee including recommendation forms for Indiana PTA officers and board members. Indiana PTA bylaws state that elected positions must be a current board member and shall have served at least one year on the Board of Managers.
Nomination for State Officers ~ the officers to be elected at the 2010 Convention are:
○ Secretary
○ Treasurer
○ Central Region Vice President
○ Northwest Region Vice President
Recommendations for Board Members – Why do we ask for this? Indiana PTA, like any other organization, can only survive through the work done by its leadership. We rely upon our unit and council leaders to identify and recommend people to serve on the Indiana PTA Board of Managers. Recommendations for Students Board Members – Indiana PTA Bylaws state that students who are at least juniors in high school, are active members of a PTA/PTSA, possess leadership skills and are able to express themselves and have parental consent to serve may be appointed to serve as a consultants to the Board of Managers. We are currently seeking students in leadership roles to join the Indiana PTA Board of Managers to help us in providing training to future student leaders.
Other items enclosed in this mailing -
● Procedures to amend the Legislative Program. The current program is included on the President’s CD in the Legislative section. We ask that you review this document and decide whether there is something you would like the Indiana PTA to address or include in the program. This is your opportunity to let us know what direction you would like us to go.
● Procedures to submit Resolutions. Current Resolutions are on your Presidents CD. Please contact the Indiana PTA Office if you need further assistance. Resolutions help bring attention to your concerns. Do you have an issue that may have statewide concern? This is how you bring it to forefront. Please read the information on submitting a resolution and if there is an issue of interest to you, consider submitting a resolution.
● Procedures to amend Indiana PTA Bylaws. Current bylaws are on the President’s CD. This is your opportunity to have input in the Indiana PTA Bylaws, your opinions and suggestions are of great value to the Board of Managers.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE MATERIALS/FORMS LISTED IS JANUARY 25, 2009. Please review all materials in the November mailing and believe YOU make up the PTA. The Board of Managers appreciates your input and seriously considers your ideas and views. Please take time to let us know how we may better serve you.
Best regards,
Tina Hartman
Indiana PTA President
Dear PTA Members,
It's Convention time again! Please join your PTA family May 15-17, 2009 at the Marriott Hotel for information, fun and, of course, a chance to socialize.
The convention committee and the Board of Managers have planned an exciting and informative convention for you. Workshops, business meetings and opportunities for networking are just a few of the events happening.
We want convention to be an enjoyable experience and have tried to give you, the members, things that have been suggested by delegates. Friday will offer a few workshops then a networking event from 8:15-10:00 p.m. Saturday morning you will be participating in the business of the Indiana PTA. You will be electing the new officers of the Indiana PTA, considering three Resolutions, and considering one bylaw amendment. And back by popular demand, the Convention Players will perform during the Saturday evening business meeting.
Mr. Chuck Saylors, President-Elect of National PTA will be our guest speaker. There are workshops especially for students. You can never start to early in developing future leaders.
Convention is a legitimate expense for your PTA. It is planned to enable each of you to become stronger leaders and provide the skills needed to carry out what you learn. It is also a time to celebrate your accomplishments.
Convention registration is open to every PTA member, not only PTA board members. Early Bird registration cost is $70 and $85 after April 13, 2009.
Along with the Board of Managers, I invite you to join to us for a weekend of instruction, celebration, and camaraderie.
Sonja Canterbury
President
It is hard for me to realize that a new year is upon us. Where has the time gone? I do hope that your holiday season was happy and restful.
As we begin the New Year, I want to thank you for all you have done on behalf of our children and what you will accomplish. However, let’s not forget that sometimes we give so much of ourselves doing for others that our families do without us. We must remind ourselves that we are important to our families and they need us, just as PTA needs us. Our calendars are full of commitments. Make sure family is one of those commitments? We must resolve to take time for the family.
In February we celebrate Founders Day. As we celebrate Phoebe Apperson Hearst, Alice McLellan Birney and Selena Sloan Butler’s accomplishments let us also remember those who came before us within our own PTAs. Invite past presidents and board members to share in the celebration and share their experiences with PTA. Thank them for their leadership and guidance. The door was open for us because of their dedication to children and the PTA movement.
Your Board of Managers is finalizing the agenda for the “Education Matters” Legislative Conference March 18, 2009. Education will be one issue in the forefront of this legislative session. I invite you to join us in this conference and urge your members to participate as well. A lot of us have children and grandchildren graduating this year, there is great concern over the uncertainty of the job market and the ability of going on to a higher education – why not join us and show a unified voice for the education our kids!!
March 9-12 National PTA will be hosting their Legislative Conference in DC and your state board members will be in attendance representing you and the children of Indiana.
The Board of Managers is very busy continuing the preparations for our convention
May 15-17. The convention is for your benefit we do it for you. It’s a time to network, gain new leadership skills and celebrate your accomplishments. We hope that you and your members will plan to attend.
During last year’s convention the delegates adopted a resolution on Healthy Snacks during the School Day. This resolution has been submitted to National PTA for their consideration in proposing it at convention in June.
It is also a transition time for the Board of Managers. A new president, Tina Hartman, will take the reigns following National Convention in June. She has been in “overload” the past months learning the ins and outs of serving as your president and I know she will lead this association with skill and knowledge.
In closing, I want to congratulate all of you on the work you do. Great things are happening within the PTA units in Indiana, let us hear about them. Share your accomplishments; toot your own horn, for you deserve the recognition.
Sonja Canterbury
President
PTA, as you know, is about advocacy and parent involvement. We support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental agencies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
There is no better way to have your voice heard than by exercising your democratic right to vote. It is imperative we educate ourselves on all candidates; local, state and national.
As advocates for children, it is crucial we vote for the candidates that support the needs of children and public education.
Taken from This Week in Washington, February 5, 2008 issue, “Encouraging our members to participate and vote in their local, state and national elections is a major PTA initiative this year. Parent Involvement is core to PTA’s mission. PTA was founded as an advocacy association over a century ago. Voting and participating in our democracy is a fundamental part of both parent involvement and advocacy.”
If you haven’t already, visit www.pta.org. To find specific questions to ask candidates, click on “take action”, then “PTA votes/Election Activities” and finally “Questions for Candidates”. Utilize the questions available by sending e-mails to each candidate to gain insight as to their educational platform.
Remember, how you vote, affects the future of our children. Please be interested enough to take action.
Sonja Canterbury
Indiana PTA President
A new year, a new start. Our schools are back in session and PTA activities are in full swing.
Recruitment of PTA members should be one of your priorities, not only at the beginning of school, but throughout the year. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
As a commitment to help every child succeed and build strong PTAS, will you pledge to do the following?
- Sign up three new members
- Conduct at least one program/project for members to get to involved at school
- Attend and/or host leadership training
- Offer membership training for membership chairs and committee members
- Use PTA Resources
Many times parents have told me they were never asked to join, or take part in, PTA, or their sponsored events. Make the effort, ask and involve your parents on a personal basis. You may just be gaining a PTA volunteer of the year!
Along with membership, Legislative Advocacy is extremely important to PTA. Remember the first part of our mission is to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental agencies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
The Legislative Committee is working hard on preparations for the Day at the State House. Scheduled date for this event is March 18, 2009. Allow your board members and your general membership the opportunity to attend this informative conference. Put the date on your calendar, pass the word, and be there! Join us and be one of the voices for our children! More information about this conference will be available at a later date.
Another important event happening this year is the election of a new Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. Town Hall meetings have been arranged for Dr. Tony Bennett and Dr. Richard Wood to discuss their educational platforms.
September 10 both candidates will speak from 7-8 p.m. in the Northview Middle School auditorium Indianapolis. September 17 Dr. Wood will speak from 7-8 p.m. at Niels Science Auditorium on the Valparaiso University campus and September 24 Dr. Wood will speak from 7-8 p.m. at the Mitchell Auditorium on the University of Southern Indiana campus in Evansville.
Dr. Tony Bennett will only be present at the first meeting, September 10, due to his schedule and job responsibilities. No admission fee will be charged for these meetings.
It is important that parents know the educational positions of these two candidates, however, PTA cannot endorse a candidate. PTA can educate their members and the community as to issues facing our children and public education. If we don’t do it, who will?
Sonja Canterbury
Indiana PTA President
Dear PTA Partners,
Traditionally leaders offer thanks and gratitude to those with whom they will work and serve throughout the year. I am no different; I thank you for what has been done on the behalf of children and what will continue to be done in this New Year.
I ask of you to encourage diversity, it is important for all PTAs to be open and welcoming to everyone, and develop leaders who represent our communities. Involve new members by offering them leadership opportunities.
Remember, PTA membership recruitment doesn't stop at the November 15 th date, it continues throughout the year.
We continue to advocate strongly and passionately for children. It is more important than ever to be an advocate for children to ensure that all children receive high-quality public education. Invite your board and membership to attend our Legislative Conference February 19, 2008 and let their voices be heard.
We rely upon you to recommend future leaders. We ask that you, our partners, recommend people to be nominated to our highest offices and as potential members of the Indiana PTA Board of Managers. Like any association, Indiana PTA can only survive through the work done by our leadership.
Sonja Canterbury, President
Indiana State PTA