Alabama PTA

Alabama PTA Organization

PTA - Working Exclusively on Behalf of Children and Youth

National PTA

The National PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer association working exclusively on behalf of children and youth. Founded in 1897, the National PTA and its state branches, districts, councils, and local PTAs, which constitute its constituent organizations, have played important roles in education through parent involvement.

Today, almost six and one-half million PTA members continue to serve as advocates for America's children. They direct their voices and their efforts as advocates for their own and all other children. They work to assure equity and excellence in education for all children, and they support the public school system, which is vital to our democratic form of government.

The national organization is governed through action of its board of directors and its member delegates at an annual convention. Every state president is a member of the National PTA Board of Directors and represents the membership of the state. Supporting income is derived from annual dues of $1 per member, paid through the states; one-half of the annual Founders Day gift; and small sums in interest from endowment funds and other investments.

Alabama PTA

The Alabama PTA was chartered in 1911 under the laws of the state. In 1970, the Alabama Colored Congress of Parents and Teachers merged with the Alabama PTA. As a part of the National PTA, Alabama PTA extends the concept of a volunteer organization engaged in educating parents and teachers on issues affecting children and youth. It supports public education and the welfare of children.

The structure of the Alabama PTA Board of Directors is as follows :the president; a  vice president of leadership development who oversees all training, education, and parent involvement; a vice president of membership who is in charge of membership services; a  vice president of legislation who oversees state legislative and advocacy issues; a  vice president of programs who oversees the awards and convention logistics; secretary; treasurer; state committee chairs; past state presidents; council presidents; and an advisory committee.

Alabama PTA Office

All state services come from the Alabama PTA office. The office is staffed by an executive director, administrative assistant/membership administrator, part-time communications coordinator and a part-time financial assistant/bookkeeper. Local units use the state office to:

• Order Alabama PTA publications.
  
• Check out videos on various subjects.
  
• Report local unit officers' names and addresses.
  
• Order PTA boutique items.
  
• Apply for Alabama PTA Honorary Life Membership.
  
• Donate to the Elizabeth Baldwin Hill Scholarship Fund, Yvonne Ballentine Memorial Reflections Scholarship Fund, Founders Day, Building Fund.
  
• Request program materials/information.
  
• Request field service by members of the state board of directors.
  
• Remit state and national portions of dues.
  
• Join ALL (Alabama at Large Local) PTA unit.
  
• Pose questions and concerns.

NOTE: Please give the name of the local PTA on all correspondence. No requests or orders are honored without this information. Make all checks or money orders payable to Alabama PTA. Do not send cash. To avoid disappointment, send all orders far enough in advance of the date needed to allow sufficient time for filling the requests.

The state office is closed two days for the Thanksgiving holiday, during winter holidays, three days following the annual Alabama PTA convention, and the Monday following weekend events. Certain federal and state holidays are observed.

The Alabama PTA office:

• Maintains a web site at www.alabamapta.org. 
• Keeps a current list of local PTA presidents, council presidents, and state officers and committee chairs (board of directors) and provides this information to the National PTA office.   
• Distributes PTA publications and materials to PTA presidents, including local unit packets and membership cards; Alabama PTA Handbook and guidebooks; information regarding state conferences, workshops, and leadership training; convention materials; legislative and other pertinent information.   
• Receives all state and national membership dues and all contributions to Alabama PTA funds and projects.   
• Records memberships as paid by each unit and reports quarterly to the National PTA with national dues payments.   
• Issues charters to new PTA units and secures from the IRS an employer identification number for each new unit or council.   
• Maintains a file of each local PTA and PTA council and their approved bylaws.   
• Disburses all funds as authorized in the budget.   
• Handles bookkeeping and routine business as directed by the state treasurer and the president.   
• Makes arrangements for annual convention and other Alabama PTA sponsored meetings.  
• Fills all orders and answers correspondence from all member PTAS.

Councils

NATIONAL PTA BYLAWS

"Each state PTA may create or establish councils in counties, cities, or other areas designated by its board of managers l directors for the purpose of conference, leadership training, and coordination of the efforts of local PTAS, and it may prescribe the form and content of the bylaws or other articles or organization of such councils. The local PTA units that shall be eligible for membership and participation in the work of any council shall be determined by the state PTA. Councils shall not legislate for local units."

A council's primary functions and responsibilities to the local unit are:

• To promote collaboration among the units on matters of mutual concern.
  
• To provide programs that do not duplicate a local PTA's efforts.
  
• To provide resource material for local PTAs to enable them to develop programs geared to their own needs.
  
• To keep familiar with PTA policies, practices, and Objects so they may guide unit leaders in the proper way to conduct PTA work.

Council presidents automatically become members of the Alabama PTA Board of Directors.

Local Units

The local association is organized and chartered under the authority of the Alabama PTA and adheres to the Mission and Objects of the PTA. The local association remits national and state dues and has bylaws approved through the Alabama PTA office.

Local PTA presidents receive printed materials and other resources from the Alabama and National PTAs. Local units should contact the Alabama PTA office with requests for guidance and assistance when printed materials do not answer specific questions.