Leadership Development Expert Takes Helm of Nation’s Preeminent Child Advocacy Association

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (July 9, 2019)—Leslie Boggs, a leadership development expert from Odessa, Texas, has been installed as the 56th president of National PTA, the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy association. Boggs’ installation took place during a ceremony held in conjunction with the 2019 National PTA Convention & Expo in Columbus, Ohio.

Boggs is a certified DISC trainer and a professional consultant. She also has a certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Management and is a member of the John Maxwell Team and Mentorship. Additionally, Boggs has over 20 years of leadership experience at all levels of PTA. For the past two years, she served as president-elect of National PTA. She has also served as chair of several National PTA committees. At the state level, she served as president of Texas PTA from 2014-2016 and was president of New Mexico PTA from 2003-2005.

As a mother of three and a grandmother of four, Boggs is a dedicated and passionate advocate for children and their right to receiving a quality public education no matter their demographics, ethnicity or household income.

“Leslie’s expertise and strong leadership skills will be tremendous assets to National PTA and in guiding our association’s work to make every child’s potential a reality,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “She is committed to making a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of every child, and we are pleased to welcome her as president.”  

As president, Boggs will fight for more funding for mental health access for students as well as for legislation that ensures schools are safe from gun violence. She will also fight for more funding for public schools and to strengthen family engagement for all children. Under her leadership, National PTA will be starting an Engage Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative through its Center for Family Engagement.

“PTA is a community that accepts all and engages and empowers one another to lead, listen, be vulnerable and be courageous as we raise our voices for all children,” said Boggs. “I believe that servant leadership empowers others to reach their potential. I am honored and grateful to dedicate the next two years of my life to leading National PTA and working with the most passionate group of advocates and volunteers to make a difference for the lives and futures of every child.”

Boggs will serve as president of National PTA until June 2021.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

TAKE ACTION: humanitarian crisis at our nation’s border!

Dear Advocate, Right now, there is a humanitarian crisis at our nation’s border affecting children detained in federal immigration facilities. Time is of the essence and we ask that you send a letter to your Members of Congress urging them to conduct appropriate and sustained oversight of these facilities and guarantee that detained children are afforded enhanced protections that meet their needs. All you need to do is click on the “Take Action” button below to send a letter to your Member of Congress. Thank you for your continued support to protect all children regardless of their immigration status. National PTA is committed to promoting the safety and well-being of all children regardless of their immigration status and as well as protecting undocumented youth from harmful separation from their parents or family members. Thank you, National PTA

The 2019-2021 Ohio PTA Board

Effective July 1, 2019…your Ohio PTA Board of Directors for the 2019-2021 term.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President                                                     Ana Chapman-D12

President-Elect                                           Jackie Arendt-D12

VP of Leadership                                       Angela Revay-D12

VP of Field Service                                     Rebecka Adams-D6

Secretary-Treasurer                                   Dana Paul-D12

DIRECTORS

Director of Advocacy                                 Venezuela Robinson-D11

Director of Bylaws/Standing Rules           Linda Read-D13

Director of Communications                     Camille Peterson-D10

Director of Diversity and Inclusion           Nicole Lesnick-D12

Director of Events                                       Jeanne Groetz-Shockling-D13

Director of Family-School Partnership     Gerri Beres-D12

Director of Membership                             Janice Wanko-D12

DISTRICT ADVISORS

District 7                                                     Janis Zart-D12

District 11                                                   Robin Thompson-D11

District 12                                                   Lisa Catalano-D12

District 13                                                   Barb Varley-D13

District 17                                                   Taryn Winney-D17

Vacant Positions: 

Director of Education

Director of Health, Welfare & Safety

District Advisor for Districts 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 18, 19

If anyone is interested in serving on the 2019-2021 Ohio PTA Board of Directors, please email da12@ohiopta.org for more information.

National PTA Urges Immediate Action to Address the Humanitarian Crisis at the Border

Our association is distressed by reports that children are being held in migrant detention centers under horrific conditions. 

National PTA is committed to promoting the safety and well-being of all children regardless of their immigration status and as well as protecting undocumented youth from harmful separation from their parents or family members. Our association has been taking action on this issue.

On June 11, 2019 National PTA signed onto a letter condemning the administration’s decision to suspend recreational and educational services for unaccompanied migrant children and youth in federally contracted migrant shelters.

We also recently endorsed the HELP Separated Children (H.R. 3451) and Help Separated Families (H.R. 3452) Acts of 2019 which would offer enhanced protections for children by ensuring that parents have access to and are held in close proximity to their separated children and ensuring that immigration status alone does not disqualify a relative from being a placement for a foster child. We believe both bills will better protect children if they are separated from their parents for the purposes of immigration enforcement. 

We are hearing reports that Congress will pass a bill which the president is expected to sign that will provide funding to address poor conditions at border detention facilities.

We will continue to advocate for family unity and to ensure that all children, regardless of their immigration status, have the right to access a quality public education, adequate food and shelter, and basic health care services.

If you have any questions regarding National PTA’s advocacy on these issues, please contact Jacki Ball, Director of Government Affairs at National PTA at jball@pta.org or at 703.518.1243.

National PTA Urges Immediate Action to Address the Humanitarian Crisis at the Border

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (June 27, 2019)—The membership of National PTA expects immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis at our nation’s border. It is urgent that a bipartisan border aid package is enacted into law before the holiday break.

“Thousands of immigrant children are being held at the border, many in reportedly horrific conditions,” said Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA. “Before they recess this week, Congress must pass and the president must sign a funding package that includes protections for children being held in federal custody and guarantees that they are provided water and appropriate nutrition, and that their hygiene and sanitation needs are met.” 

National PTA has long believed that every child—regardless of their immigration status—has the right of access to adequate food and shelter, basic health care services and a high-quality public education. These services and basic standards of care should not be denied to any child. Denying these services to children, regardless of their citizenship status, creates serious health and social concerns.

“At National PTA, our motto is ‘Every Child, One Voice,’ and two of our association’s founding principles are to promote the safety and well-being of all children and to advocate for children and families who are most vulnerable,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “It is unconscionable that any child is being detained at our border and we must raise our voice. We demand that they—and all children—are treated with dignity and respect, are adequately cared for and that their needs are met.”

In addition to speaking up for children being held in federal custody, National PTA has also raised its voice for children and their parents and family members who have been separated at the border.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visitPTA.org.