National PTA Advocacy Awards

National PTA is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Advocacy Awards! If you know of an outstanding youth or individual PTA advocate, or a local unit or state PTA that has done great advocacy work, nominate them to receive an award for their efforts from National PTA at the 2017 Legislative Conference. You can also nominate yourself!

 Award Categories:

• Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award
• Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award
• Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award
• Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award

The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, Dec. 18. 

About the Awards

Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award

The Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award is presented to an individual PTA member, who through their leadership and advocacy efforts, affected federal policy priorities within PTA’s annual Public Policy Agenda. Shirley was a model of public service and volunteerism throughout her life. She was an impassioned and compassionate leader, dedicated to moving PTA forward and committed to ensuring that others would follow.

Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award

The Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award is presented to a young person—who—through his or her creativity, leadership, and dedication, has positively affected policy or change in his or her school or community in a way that aligns with PTA’s mission and goals.

Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award

The Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award is presented to a local, district, council or regional PTA that, through their dedication, leadership and efforts positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy compatible with PTA’s mission and goals. These efforts must include an education/learning component for PTA members and the community-at-large. Working with multiple organizations or coalitions through grassroots collaboration is preferred.

Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award

The Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award is presented to a state PTA that, through their dedication, leadership and efforts positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy compatible with PTA’s mission and goals. These efforts must be based on a statewide issue, involve working with multiple organizations or coalitions through grassroots collaboration, and contain a public awareness/advocacy training component for PTA members and the community at large.

Advocacy Action Requested

Dear Public Education Advocate, Right now, Congress is debating what federal programs to fund next year. Make sure they know you demand funds to increase family engagement in public education. Send a letter to your members of Congress TODAY urging them to fund Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) at $10 million in fiscal year 2018. Time is running out, so we have made it easy for you to make your voice heard and increase family engagement funding. All you need to do is click on the “Take Action” button below to send a letter to your members of Congress. Thank you for your continued support for family engagement in education, National PTA Government Affairs Team         Tell Your Members of Congress to Invest in Family Engagement!

Ohio State Board of Education Begins Broadcasting Meetings

The Ohio State Board of Education has begun broadcasting portions of their Board Meetings! The Board typically meets on the second Monday and Tuesday of each month during the business day and is composed of nineteen members.  Eleven of the members are elected and eight members are appointed by the governor. Because meetings are held during the day, it is difficult for many people to attend, but now, you can watch portions of the State Board of Education meetings via The Ohio Channel. 

There are currently 4 videos ranging from 45 minutes to 3 hours from the October State Board of Education meetings. Be sure to visit www.education.ohio.gov/State-Board and click on Live Video Feed and Video Archive under the Topics category to view the videos and learn what our State Board of Education discussed during their October meeting.  

Ohio PTA Director of Education

Katie Holcomb

How will your PTA change the lives of children in 2018?

Source: PTA One Voice Blog

The school-year kick-off is past and holiday craziness is on the horizon. Right now it’s time to grab a pumpkin spice latte, sit back and take stock.

Did the membership year start off with a bang? Maybe a mid-year drive is in order. Plan to start right after the holidays when potential members refocus on school. What value has your PTA already delivered? What value do you plan to deliver in 2018? Call attention to your success and ask for support for the future. Position membership in your PTA as a way to support students and PTA.  Ask people to join a successful movement to improve your school community.  People want to be part of successful teams. They want to know that their dues dollars have impact. Tie PTA membership with positive results.

Will your PTA meet its goals? Now is a good time to acknowledge successes and plan next steps. No goals? It’s not too late. Gather the board and decide what can be accomplished in 2018. Focus on empowering families to support student success.  Find a community agency or organization to partner in hosting a family event. Research your school’s goals and brainstorm ways to align PTA’s efforts to achieve goals together. Concentrate on making an impact and providing value to your community.

Are a few overworked volunteers trying to do the work of many? Consider how you ask for help: “Come be part of our success” vs. “We need people” and “400 children and family members had a blast in 2017. We’re aiming at 500 this year. Help us build an even better 2018 Spring Fair” vs. “We need volunteers for the Spring Fair.” Tie volunteer opportunities to outcomes, tell people they will be part of successful events, and help volunteers feel their volunteer hours have an impact. Break down opportunities into small jobs and find ways people can help from home or with their families—look for ways to help people say, “Yes” to the opportunity.

Candy canes will soon replace candy corn and PTA thoughts will take second place to planning family gatherings and holiday celebrations. Now is the time to make plans to jump-start the New Year. How will your PTA change the lives of children in 2018?

Deborah Walsh is a National PTA Service Manager.