What Do You Get For Your
PTA Membership Dues?
Each individual unit sets their own amount of dues. The unit's dues must be at least $5.25 of which the National PTA receives $2.25 (Starting July 1, 2025 this will go up to $3.25) and the Indiana PTA receives $3.00. Anything over and above the $5.25 minimum belongs to the unit to use to support their school/unit community. Your local dues amount can be changed by updating your unit's bylaws.
As you will see, for much less than the price of a single value meal, not only are you getting a tremendous amount of support, but also you are helping every single child.
What are the advantages of being a PTA?
PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child and the best tools to help their children be safe, healthy, and successful - in school and in life.
With an abundant network of services and training and over a 100-year tradition of representing the needs of children nationally. The chief advantage of PTA over independent groups is PTA's potential for unified action, an unfitted attack on major problems, a unified push for improved legislation, an opportunity to act as a forum for ideas, and provides a chance to meet with others and discuss mutual concerns. Information is readily available online at the National PTA website or the Indiana PTA website.
PTA was started over 125 years ago in 1897. Though many people do not understand the full scope of PTA, they realize PTA represents a force in the nation that speaks for all children.
PTA policies are adopted only after much study and discussion, thus providing safeguards for units in their policy and decision-making. The policies are the guiding principles, which all levels of PTA must follow.
PTA is a non-profit, non-partisan national organization. It works on behalf of its members to help unite parents, teachers, and the community for the common good of ALL children. It provides state and national information, influence, and recognition to help members advocate for the health, education, and safety of all children and youth.
As you will see, for much less than the price of a single value meal, not only are you getting a tremendous amount of support, but also you are helping every single child.
What are the advantages of being a PTA?
PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child and the best tools to help their children be safe, healthy, and successful - in school and in life.
With an abundant network of services and training and over a 100-year tradition of representing the needs of children nationally. The chief advantage of PTA over independent groups is PTA's potential for unified action, an unfitted attack on major problems, a unified push for improved legislation, an opportunity to act as a forum for ideas, and provides a chance to meet with others and discuss mutual concerns. Information is readily available online at the National PTA website or the Indiana PTA website.
PTA was started over 125 years ago in 1897. Though many people do not understand the full scope of PTA, they realize PTA represents a force in the nation that speaks for all children.
PTA policies are adopted only after much study and discussion, thus providing safeguards for units in their policy and decision-making. The policies are the guiding principles, which all levels of PTA must follow.
PTA is a non-profit, non-partisan national organization. It works on behalf of its members to help unite parents, teachers, and the community for the common good of ALL children. It provides state and national information, influence, and recognition to help members advocate for the health, education, and safety of all children and youth.
- PTA is known as the “go to” group for parent involvement
- Working together, members are able to create a healthy, nurturing environment to help improve the lives of all children and youth.
- All officers and board members, whether national, state or local, are unpaid volunteers.
- All members speak with a unified voice on behalf of all children, as highlighted by the PTA tagline: everychild.onevoice.
Below is a breakdown of how your membership dollars are put to use at the National, State, Regional, Council and Local PTA levels.
National PTA Level
National PTA provides leadership to close to five million members who carry out lobbying, development, communication, member services and program work. Throughout the year, PTA sends a representative to each convention to advocate on behalf of children and change laws to improve the lives of our youth.
National PTA maintains an office in Alexandria, VA and a legislative office in Washington, D.C.. Out of both of these offices several changes for the benefit of our youth have been made.
National PTA maintains an office in Alexandria, VA and a legislative office in Washington, D.C.. Out of both of these offices several changes for the benefit of our youth have been made.
The National PTA has significant legislative influence. By providing consistent communication through a variety of channels, PTA informs and educates its members of ongoing legislation that affects families and public schools.
Members can get information about the PTA perspectives on current federal legislation by calling National PTA’s toll-free legislative hotline (888) 4-ALL-KDS (425-5537).
- Members have unification and a powerful voice in government because of PTA’s strength in numbers
- PTA works with national organizations and federally elected officials to provide information regarding federal issues along with advocacy training to all PTAs.
- National PTA prepares members to advocate for children before government entities, organizes and conducts programs, works with the media, and encourages parent and community involvement by providing training and information through workshops, videos, and written materials.
- National PTA’s legislative web page provides legislative news and alerts as well as background information on key issues
Members can get information about the PTA perspectives on current federal legislation by calling National PTA’s toll-free legislative hotline (888) 4-ALL-KDS (425-5537).
National PTA provides several customized marketing materials and resources to its members through different programs that are available online such as…
National Reflections Program - a nationwide cultural arts program
Thrive Learning Community- Online training options for local units
Advocacy Kit- Informative links that inform and rally support for ongoing issues
Run Your PTA- A comprehensive page full of membership drive ideas, how-to, newsletters, and more
National PTA’s website where your PTA tools and information are easy to access at all times. The resources available are updated regularly to help prepare members to advocate for children before government entities, organize and conduct programs, work with the media, and encourage parent and community involvement by providing training and information through workshops, videos, and written materials.
Some PTA publications include, but are not limited to:
- Newsletters on parenting and legislative issues.
- Annual Resources for PTA – Simple, quick-reference guides with tips on unit finances, legislative information, membership drives, leadership development, and marketing and public relations that are developed and sent to all local presidents.
- PTA Fundraising Essentials magazine.
- Our Children magazine, PTA's flagship online publication with parenting articles by experts on children's health, education and well being; and information on advocacy efforts; the latest news that affects children and youth. It includes success stories from PTAs around the country.
- Professionally designed public service announcements (PSAs) to aid in membership recruitment.
- Teacher Appreciation Week ideas and parent involvement resources
- “The Official PTA Kit” with brochures and other useful items.
- Discounted member rates for PTA's annual national convention, magazine subscriptions, and more.
- PTA Takes Action Update Report, a regular e-blast to state and local PTA members who keep federal officials apprised of PTA’s legislative issues and priorities.
- Assistance to local PTA units to develop strategies to effectively address concerns in their community
National PTA believes in developing strong leaders
- Committed to developing leaders who can carry out the vision, mission, and values of the PTA.
- Holds the National PTA convention to inform and train leaders
- Provides annual training to state presidents and state office staff
- Has online learning opportunities for all local leaders through the Thrive Learning Community
State PTA Level - Indiana PTA
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- Maintains the Indiana PTA website, which contains a wealth of information about PTA in Indiana and provides links to relevant information at associated websites.
- Holds quarterly meetings of the state board of managers.
- Holds annual state PTA convention for all members.
- Offers Membership and other incentive awards.
- Conducts Reflections Program - nationwide cultural arts program.
- Represents membership on statewide committees and coalitions.
- Assists local PTA units in developing strategies to effectively address concerns in their community
- Provides Field Service Representatives (FSR) local to assigned local units. The FSR completes & submits the unit's annual financial review and tax forms.
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Legislative Influence
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Resources/Publications
- A wealth of information such as articles, publications etc. available on the Indiana PTA website
- Periodical mailings and e-newsletters from the state president.
- Brochures on various topics
Leadership Development
- Committed to developing leaders who can carry out the vision, mission, and values of the PTA.
- Summer Leadership Training Courses– a series of one-day training sessions with nuts-and-bolts training for local leaders and members
- Indiana PTA State Convention – the annual meeting & training for members within Indiana. Legislative program, state bylaws, and state officers are among items decided upon by the members at convention.
- Regions and councils also provide additional leadership development.
- Provide annual general training and treasurer trainings
Partnerships
- Local PTAs provide parents, teachers, and community members the opportunity to work together to improve the lives of children and youth through programs that address health, education, and social concerns.
- Local, state, and National PTAs cooperate with other child and youth-oriented organizations to combine resources in addressing child-related issues.
- Partners with other statewide education advocacy organizations
- Special individual offers from corporate sponsors and benefit providers.
Regional PTA Level
Within Indiana PTA the regional level usually is only one person. Fort Wayne Area PTA has a Northeast Indiana PTA Regional Director who oversees the Fort Wayne Area Council and its unit. This person is the go-to for the area's FSRs and council board members. They are also the point person if any of the units need to go beyond the council. The Regional Director also acts as a go-between for the council and Indiana PTA helping out as/where needed.
A few of the Regional Directors duties are the following:
A few of the Regional Directors duties are the following:
- Advises and trains local units and councils within the region.
- Holds regional meetings and conferences, including Reflections Award Ceremonies for regional winners.
- Offers periodical E-mails and phone calls to each unit and council.
- Stands as a go between for communication between the council and Indiana PTA
Council PTA Level - Fort Wayne Area Council
- Acts as a key link in the line of communication between the local, region, state and National PTA. The responsibilities of a council are to Inform, Inspire and instruct by developing skills, promoting membership and building relationships between local units and providing service to the community.
- Communicates with the school board and administrators on issues that affect all schools in its area.
- Provides information from the region and state regarding legislation, membership, bylaws and education regulations to local units and council members.
- Provides leadership training for all the local units’ officers and chairmen.
- Works with FWCS and local community groups to grow the support for PTA
- The area council provides a working relationship among all units within the area
- Works with FSRs from Indiana PTA to make sure units stay in good standing with Indiana and National PTAs
- Partners with local businesses to provide all local unit members amazing local discounts.
Local PTA Level - Individual PTA Units
This is the most important division of PTA. All the other divisions of PTA exist to serve and support the local PTAs. Each local unit’s work is determined by the needs of its school and community and the interests and concerns of its members. Individual PTA units are able to influence legislation on behalf of children at the grass roots level. Some PTAs advocate for local issues that affect the children in their community. Many PTAs provide parenting education in conjunction with their meetings, including such topics as parent involvement in education, understanding learning styles, building children's self-esteem, helping your child succeed in school, and youth violence prevention, drug and alcohol awareness and prevention, on-line safety, etc.
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PTA at the local level offers:
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PTAs GET RESULTS
PTAs keep parents informed. Involved parents can understand the challenges schools face and become part of the solution. PTAs support education through active participation and advocacy. PTAs improve children's well-being. PTAs focus on what students need to be successful in their learning, including proper nutrition and safe, healthy environments.
Rigorous research studies conducted over 30 years show:
PTAs benefit everyone. Strong schools mean stronger communities. PTA membership is open to anyone concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children.
Rigorous research studies conducted over 30 years show:
- Kids do better when parents are involved.
- Grades are higher.
- Test scores improve.
- Attendance increases.
PTAs benefit everyone. Strong schools mean stronger communities. PTA membership is open to anyone concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children.