Membership Fundamentals Pamela Croom, Hampton Council President Virginia PTA Membership At Large Member Peninsula District Leadership Training June 5, 2014

Discussion Points Answer “Why PTA?” Learn membership chair responsibilities. Review dues and payments. Identify useful forms and resources. Outline member benefits. Highlight membership awards.

What are Membership Fundamentals? Membership is the foundation of PTA. Without members, no PTA can be successful. Membership is the foundation of PTA, how can we answer the following question to prospective members? Why PTA?

Why PTA? Advocacy for children’s welfare Organizational materials Leadership training/ development. Over 100 years of experience. Links to all states/ a connection of parents. National recognition. Established network of resources. Proven programs. Family discounts. Business partnerships.

Increasing Membership PTA has advocated for Kindergarten Mandated improved playground safety Safe buses Mandatory childhood immunizations Ban on alcoholic energy drinks School libraries Seatbelt regulations Nationwide school lunch program

membership chairs are the cheerleaders! If PTA is a champion, membership chairs are the cheerleaders! Sell the value of PTA Invite everyone to join in Sell inclusivity Convince others to be a part of this great organization Always speak positively of PTA

Resources for every membership chair: Monthly membership webinars Membership Toolkit www.vapta.org www.pta.org

Important resources for every membership chair: Dues Payments Recruitment Strategies Forms Awards

Membership Basics Dues Payments RECOMMENDED: December 1 - March 1 - June 30 PREFERRED: monthly

FORMS Local Unit Remittance Statement Membership Envelope Order Form Membership Envelope Template Membership Card Order Form

Membership Recruitment Year-round campaign Offer incentives Build in benefits Have great publicity Be fun and accessible.

Be Forward Ask everyone; parents, faculty, caregivers and community members Have tables at every events Ask to have a table at teacher meetings Open houses Kindergarten registration Welcome packet prepared to show what the value of membership is and why it is important

Be Inclusive. Parents Cafeteria workers Teachers Grandparents Administrators Aunts Students Uncles Staff Neighbors Custodians Coaches Bus drivers Community members

Membership Basics Be Enticing Offer freebies Contact community businesses for partnerships Offer local benefits Discounts Special services Exclusive programs.

Be Public and Transparent Website Newsletter Facebook Twitter Google groups Just Between Friends

2014-15 Membership Cards will be available soon! Cards will be available for pick up at the VA PTA Annual Conference in July Cards can be activated by phone or through the Internet You can activate more than one card if you have several PTA memberships In not picked up, cards will be delivered in August

Superior Membership Award Outstanding Membership Award Awards – See Web Site for Awards List and submission dates! Superior Membership Award *Largest % membership in each division Outstanding Membership Award *Largest % membership increase within each division Division 1 - 1 to 299 Division 5 - 600 to 699 Division 2 - 300 to 399 Division 6 - 700 to 999 Division 3 - 400 to 499 Division 7 – 1000 & above Division 4 - 500 to 599

Look under “Fall Membership” as reported Sept 30th. 100% Membership Award *ADM Number http://www.doe.virginia.gov/statistics_reports/enrollment/fall_membership/index.shtml Look under “Fall Membership” as reported Sept 30th. Select ‘2013’... we now use previous year number. Then select ‘School Totals by Grade’

Resources Online membership resource materials Council PTA leadership, training, and programs District PTA leadership, training, and programs Virginia PTA leadership, training, and programs National PTA programs and materials www.vapta.org www.pta.org vpmembership@vapta.org

For more information contact: vpmembership@vapta.org www.vapta.org VA PTA Membership 1-866-4VA-KIDS (482-5437) vpmembership@vapta.org www.vapta.org