Membership Workshop 2014 “A Guide for Success!”

Membership is the key to unlocking your unit’s potential! The PURPOSES ● To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community and place of worship. ● To raise the standards of home life. ● To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth. ● To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth. ● To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social and spiritual education. MISSION STATEMENT ● A powerful voice for all children, ● A relevant resource for families and communities, and ● A strong advocate for the education and well- being of every child. VISION ● Making every child’s potential a reality.

Responsibilities Coordinate & lead the unit’s membership program Attend leadership and membership training Define your role: – Attend scheduled meetings – Work with the state membership chair to reach membership goals – Distribution & activation of membership cards – Collection, processing, and remittance of dues – Maintain accurate membership records including a procedure book.

Membership Cards Number received based on previous year’s membership total More can be requested through the state office Has the Unit PTA ID Number, Unit Name, Member’s Name and place for the member to sign Every individual member gets a card; 1 name/1 card/1 vote Business memberships Councils do not sell memberships A member when the dues have been paid

The PTA Membership Card Don’t Hesitate ….Activate!

The Dues Details Report dues accurately Mail to the State Office by the 1 st of each month. $4.25 for Individual memberships $5.50 for business memberships Dues Remittance Form – Fill out the form accurately with unit name and ID number, so the proper unit gets credit

The Membership Calendar

To Do List: Previous chair’s records Read your bylaws Attend training Share your plan Contact your principal The Treasurer – a “BFF” Form your committee & meet before school is out

The Membership Chair & Committee Promote membership recruitment and retention

Your Membership Plan Membership - It is a year round activity - You are marketing & selling a product

Get up on your “soap box”! “We are about advocacy not fundraising” “Your membership helps make our voice stronger as we speak for the wellness & education for all children” “We are all advocates for our own children.”

To Do List: Work with your committee Set realistic & measurable goals Select marketing strategies that promote relevance. Create marketing plan Adopt a membership theme JUNE

Use this year’s theme and adjust it to your own needs: Focus on the aspect of joining TODAY, and not waiting for another time. Focus on what your unit can do TODAY with involved members. Use this year’s goals to encourage membership TODAY Come up with a ‘catchy’ slogan!

To Do List: Plan of Work Prepare budget request Membership Form Visiting Businesses The Secretary – a “BFF” Check out resources JULY

Resources Utilize the MO PTA State Board members Missouri PTA Website: Back to School Tool Kit National PTA Website: Running a PTA/Marketing Tools Search Internet: PTA Membership, PTA Membership Campaigns, PTA Membership Ideas, etc. Look at other State or unit PTA Websites and newsletters on-line, PTA blogs and Pinterest

Official Back to School Kit Banners, posters, yard signs Letters, fliers, brochures Press releases, ads, surveys Door hangers, post cards Customizable Marketing Tools for more information

To Do List: PTA board members Membership plan approved Meet with the principal Teacher In-services “Coffee & Cry” Welcome packs Take care of business with your BFFs AUGUST

“Taking Care of Business” Update & verify your records “BFF” time Treasurer: money collected = memberships sold dues mailed by the 1 st Secretary: updated membership roster

September is PTA Membership Month Back to School with PTA

To Do List: Utilize local media Continue to contact local businesses Kick off membership contests Are you an Early Bird? Take care of business with your BFFs Register for convention SEPTEMBER

Missouri PTA 99th Annual Convention in Chesterfield, October th, SAVE THE DATE! Double Tree by Hilton St. Louis - Chesterfield

To Do List: Fall Sports The results are in! Check last year’s list Hello School Board Members Pack for convention Take care of business with your BFFs OCTOBER

To Do List: Show & Share Say “thanks” with the gift of PTA Special Events Promote Reflections Are you in “Good Standing”? Take care of business with your BFFs NOVEMBER

To Do List: Who is on your shopping list? Plan 2 nd push Take care of business with your BFFs Take a break! DECEMBER

To Do List: (Besides taking care of business) New families Bring a friend Kindergarten Round-Up Preschool Screening Winter Sports events School Board Forum Postcards to non-PTA parents “Never too late to join” ads Founders Day (Feb. 17 th ) Continue to search internet for new ideas Final month for dues to count toward awards – 3/1 deadline January February March

Monthly Theme Ideas “New Year –New Opportunities” Valentines Day “Be Lucky” “March with PTA” “Spring into PTA”

To Do List: Mail award applications - 4/1 deadline Update membership records & procedure book for next year Evaluate your successes Celebrate the accomplishments Thank your committee Prepare & give final membership report April... The final month

Membership … It’s Everyone’s Responsibility!