| PTA/PTSA |
OTHER
PARENT-TEACHER GROUPS |
Part of the National PTA — the largest
child advocacy organization in the nation with 6.5 million
members
|
Not part of any national group |
| Covered by 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt
status |
Not part of any state group |
| Access to the National PTA office in Chicago
staffed by people ready to assist your unit |
No national office or staff |
| Grants for parent involvement to local PTAs |
Exemption must be obtained individually,
cost for legal fees |
| Leadership training provided at local, national,
regional and state levels of PTA |
No special rates available |
| Low-cost liability insurance available |
No state office or staff |
| Access to State PTA Office via 800 phone
line |
No support services |
| Board volunteers available for programs,
resources, etc. |
No consistent legislative effort at any
level |
| Legislative committees at state and national
levels working to promote laws that benefit children |
No legislative office/contact |
| Office of Governmental Relations in Washington,
D.C. |
No consistent representation |
| PTA representation at national and state
conferences and workshops dealing with school/children's issues |
No leadership training |
| Develop skills that can be used on the job
or with other non-profit organizations such as computer, financial
management or management. |
No grant offered |
| Established network of volunteers who may
progress to state and national leadership roles through election
or appointment |
No network of volunteers at higher levels |
| Governed by the membership which follows
PTA bylaws, recognizing the importance of elected officers
and open meetings. |
Usually run by the principal and/or a small
parents' group |
| Official handbooks to assist officers |
No official handbooks |
| Portion of local dues sent to state and
national levels to offset cost of services. Amount is determined
at conventions by membership |
No policy for dues (but also no benefits
as listed here) |
| Free membership cards sent by state office
|
If used, membership cards must be purchased |
| President receives free subscription to
National PTA's Our Children magazine |
No national publications |
Free state and national materials dealing
with PTA/legislative/school/children' s issues
|
No state or national materials
|
| Low cost or free kits and brochures dealing
with many youth issues to members |
No resources or membership services |
| Selected PTA materials in Spanish |
No materials, English or Spanish |
| Videos dealing with school/children's issues
available on free loan from state office |
No membership resources |
| Workshops/speakers available free |
No membership resources |
| Honorary Life Memberships available to honor
those who have given outstanding service |
No recognition via life membership |
| Awards for quality PTAs, educators, programs
and membership on state and national levels |
No recognition beyond local level |
| Recognition of student's talent in art,
music, photography and literature through the Reflections
program at local, state and national level, including scholarships |
No student recognition at these levels |
| Educational scholarships and loans available
to students for higher education |
These scholarship and loans are not available
to students in non-PTA schools |
| PTA conventions at state and national levels
to share ideas, concerns, successes, advocacy and leadership |
No conventions |
| National and state memberships on agencies,
coalitions and task forces concerning children's issues |
No membership on decision-making for children
at the national level |
| National/State legislative conferences
with advocacy training |
No conference at any level for advocacy |
| Positions and legislative program based
on resolutions voted on by the membership, position statements
from board, and Purposes and Mission Statement |
No positions or legislative program |
| National Federal trademark |
No trademark |
| An on-line forum, CHILDREN FIRST, and Web
site for members |
No technological access for members |
| A 100-year history of commitment, service
and advocacy for the children of our nation |
No history or tradition |
