1. PTA President’s Course

2. Myths, Legends, and Facts
Don’t believe everything you’ve heard about being PTA president!
Do learn how to handle those myths and legends by understanding the facts.
President is the EASIEST JOB IN THE PTA!

3. Leadership Leadership skills are acquired through study and practice.
Good leaders LEAD by example to help others learn from them.
Leaders provide and encourage leadership development opportunities….training!

4. Leadership Styles Driver Expressive Takes action
Controls the situation
Makes decisions
Task-orientated
Assertive
Goals-driven
Expressive
Needs to be liked
Needs recognition
Works well with others
Highly responsive to others
Delegates

5. Leadership Styles (cont.)
Amiable
Concerned about people and relationships
Dislikes conflict
Not assertive, but is responsive
Works well with others
Analytical
Appreciates detail, accuracy, precision
Avoids confrontation
Takes time to consider before making decision
Not assertive or responsive

6. Duties of President
Refer to bylaws and standing rules to find the job description.
An up-to-date procedure book is a good reference.

7. President responsibilities
Presides at all meetings of the association including executive committee; board and general membership
Signs all contracts and legal documents
Has a fiduciary responsibility
Serves as ex-officio of all committees, EXCEPT: Nominating and Auditing

8. President Responsibilities Cont.
Encourage participation
Provide opportunities for leadership development
Receive and disseminate information from the Illinois PTA and the National PTA
Represent the association

9. Procedure Book Three ring binder; folder; flash drive Contains: Bylaws
Rules
Procedures
Correspondence
Brochures Other Suggestions?

10. Building a board Successful boards should: Be diverse
Encourage good communication
Share the work
Promote leadership training
Work at team-building

11. PLAN Set Goals Set Calendar based upon the needs of members
Create Budget
Be Flexible/Have “back-up plan”

12. Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals Specific Measurable Answers the questions
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Which?
Why?
Measurable
Answers the questions
How many?
How much?
How will I know when the goal is met?

13. Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals (cont.)
Achievable
Answers the questions
Can the goal be met?
Is the goal realistic?
Do we have the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to meet the goal?
Relevant
Answers the questions
Is the goal applicable?
Is the goal useful?
Is the goal in line with the Mission, Objects and Vision of the PTA?

14. Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals (cont.)
Time-Specific
Answers the questions
Is there a start date?
Is there a completion date?
Did we allow enough time to accomplish the goal?

15. The Budget Process
Budget is created using input from officers, chairmen, and PTA members
Proposed budget is accepted by PTA board
Proposed budget is adopted by general membership
Budget must come before membership for any changes

16. Running a Meeting
Always be prepared—be sure to create an agenda in advance
Create an outline to follow (if needed)
Follow Parliamentary Procedure
Rely on the other officers for help
Be friendly, yet professional

17. Parliamentary Procedure
Become familiar with the basics
A motion must be made before discussion takes place
Unless the motion comes from a committee, it needs a second before discussion takes place

18. Parliamentary Procedure (cont.)
Motions may be amended four ways by:
Inserting text
Striking (removing) text
Striking and inserting text
Replacing whole paragraph with a substitute
It is: “I Move That…” Not: “I Make a Motion…”

19. Effective Communication
Communicate with PTA members by
Newsletter (printed and electronic)
Web page
Social Networks
Phone tree
Notes home
Text message
Message Boards

20. Effective Communication
Communicate outside the PTA by:
Meeting with school/district administrators regularly.
Offering administrators opportunities to attend PTA leadership training.
Sharing PTA information with administrators.
Attending school board meetings.
Participating in community organizations and events.
Regularly send news to the media

21. Conflict Resolution
Prevent conflict by fostering open communication and understanding
Resolve conflict by
Focusing on issues, not individuals
Seeing the issue from both sides
Seeking win-win solutions
Keeping communication open
Thinking about desired outcome

22. Time Management
Do it!
Delegate it!
Dump it!

23. STAY ON TRACK Illinois PTA Annual Convention
Plan ahead and create the PTA Calendar. INCLUDE:
Illinois PTA Annual Convention
Illinois PTA State Conferences
School Board Meetings
PTA District and Region Annual Meeting and activities
National PTA Convention
Community Events
Reflections Deadline Children’s Events

24. Resources
District Director or State Board Member assigned to your area
Officers; Consultants; State Program Directors and Region Director
Illinois PTA Office:
Illinois PTA Website: illinoispta.org
National PTA Website: pta.org
Illinois PTA BULLETIN
Illinois PTA Local Unit Packet
National PTA Annual Resources and/or Back To School Kit
Illinois PTA:

25. YOU ARE THE PRESIDENT!
LEAD!