Focus
Newsletter for second week of
September
ADVOCACY 101
Why PTA’s Lobby - Fulfilling our mission as advocates for children
Part of the National PTA’s threefold mission is to
speak on behalf of all children and youth before governmental bodies and
other organizations. These advocacy and lobbying measures include
mobilizing individuals, local and state units to work with the National
PTA in molding specific government programs, policies, and priorities.
PTA is nonpartisan and works to direct its efforts at
members of both political parties in order to enact change. When PTA
officers or lobbyists participate in legislative activities that educate
lawmakers about officially adopted PTA positions, or support a
particular piece of legislation that is in agreement with the PTA
Legislative Program, it is done on a strictly nonpartisan basis.
A nonprofit organization, like the PTA, is considered to
be engaging in lobbying efforts if it either contacts or urges the
public to contact lawmakers for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or
opposing legislation. The amount of money the National PTA can use for
these purposes is also strictly regulated under the federal non-profit
status rules.
For more on PTAs and Advocacy 101 check out the new
redesigned National PTA website: http://www.pta.org/advocacy_101.asp
It is election time again and many PTA leaders are
having questions about what election related activities they can and
can’t engage in. Local PTA’s are non-profit organization and
fall under the IRS election guidelines for non-profits. To help
you decide what activities your local PTA will get involved in we have
provided a few quick can and can’t.
PTA Can:
-
Host a candidate’s forum: all candidates appearing
on the ballot for a given position must be invited to participate and
given equal time to respond.
-
Publish a candidate’s questionnaire: all candidates
must be given the opportunity to answer the questionnaire and
responses must be printed exactly as written.
-
Register voters: volunteers must register all eligible
voters regardless of party affiliation or political views.
-
Remind members to vote.
-
Educate candidates on issues important to PTA.
-
Invite only one candidate in an election to come
speak to the PTA.
-
Tell PTA members to only vote for a candidate who
supports X position.
-
Distribute any campaign materials on behalf of a
candidate.
-
Wear campaign buttons or t-shirts during a PTA
meeting.
Q:
If I’m a PTA president am I allowed to
make any political contributions?
A: Yes, as a citizen you can make political
contributions. It is important to make it clear that the donation
is coming from you as an individual and not the PTA.
Q: Can our PTA take a position on a local ballot
measure or levy?
A: Yes, it is considered direct lobbying because the
voters are the decision makers. It is important to remember that
working on a ballot measure will count as lobby activities and is
subject to IRS non-profit lobbying rules.
The League of Women Voters will be hosting a BOE
Candidates Forum on Oct. 13 at 7 pm at the ARL. This
forum will be broadcast on Comcast95/Verizon42. Schedule will be
posted afterwards.
HCPSS NEWS www.hcpss.org
What is the difference between the HCPSS Operating
Budget and the Capital Budget?
The school system’s capital budget funds the
construction of new school facilities and provides for renovations,
additions, roofing and barrier-free projects, technology equalization,
and the purchase and/or relocation of portable classrooms for existing
facilities. The budget document includes a capital budget for the
upcoming fiscal year, a five-year capital improvement program, and a
ten-year long-range master plan. Financing for capital projects comes
primarily from three sources -- local bonds, local transfer tax, and
state school construction funds. Copies of the capital budget are
available through the school system’s Public Information Office and at
www.hcpss.org
The school system's operating budget pays for
daily classroom instruction, maintenance, and other educational
services. The Operating Budget will be proposed in the new year.
The Capital Budget process is happening now.
Superintendent Dr. Cousin presented his proposed budget to the Board of
Education members on Sept. 4th. There will be a public hearing on
Thursday, Sept. 18th. This is the time for concerned citizens to
give their two-cents in how the capital budget money should be spent. To
view the proposed capital budget go to: http://www.hcpss.org/aboutus/budget.shtml.
Citizens are asked to limit their oral testimony to three minutes. More
detailed written testimony is welcomed as well as e-mail testimony (boe@hcpss.org)
. Participants are asked to provide 15 written copies of their testimony
before or at the time of the hearing. To sign up for a public hearing,
call the Board of Education Office at 410-313-7194.
PTA
Membership Drive
PTA
is a membership organization. We rely on our nearly 6 million
members to contribute their time and skills to school communities from
coast to coast and overseas, where U.S. military families are
stationed.
Every
individual who joins PTA helps not only his or her own child but every
child. Imagine how strong your community could be if every parent,
every community members, and every business leader got involved in PTA!
Attracting
new members and retaining existing members are among the most important
duties of a PTA. A strong membership is essential if PTA is to be
a force in decision, involving the welfare and education of
children. Your active leadership will help create strong programs
in your school community and a strong commitment among your
members.
For
more ideas on tips for your membership drive, look in your PTA
Membership Quick Reference Guide that came in your Back to School Box
from National PTA. If you didn't receive it or can't find it right
now, it is online at: http://www.pta.org/1444.htm.
You will need the user name and password are on the back of your
membership card.
Today's
Tip - 4-Minute Makeover
By
Tim Sullivan
How
many top-level leaders are there in your parent group? Three? Five?
Eight? Can each of you spare four minutes per week to significantly
change the reputation of your group?
Here's
what you can do:
Set
aside four minutes per week to thank someone. That's it. Just say thank
you for getting involved at your school. Maybe it's one hand-written
note. Maybe it's eight quick e-mails. Maybe it's two phone calls. (Even
leaving a voice mail counts!)
A
mom and dad attend their very first family event; that night, they
receive an e-mail expressing how nice it was to meet them and thanking
them for coming and asking whether they had a nice time. Will they come
to some other activity down the road? You betcha.
The
day after a new volunteer takes tickets at your fall fair for 45
minutes, she gets a phone message that thanks her for pitching in and
lets her know how much it means for your school and kids. Think she
might agree to do it again at the spring fling? Definitely.
Five
leaders times four minutes each means you can reach out with 15 or 20
quick thank-you's every week. It's the kind of habit that changes your
group's reputation from "always wanting our time or money" to
"truly open to new parents and really wanting to grow
involvement."
Avoid
the temptation to combine the thank-you with a request for more help or
support. Keep it simple and focused on appreciation. Your rewards will
come later as you deepen your group's connection with more and more
volunteers.
Until
Next Time...
Thanks
for all you do for your school. You're making a big difference.
CALENDAR
Sept. 24
Reflection Chair meeting 7 pm at Faulkner Ridge
Oct.
1 A
copy of the local PTA audit reports are due to Council per MD PTA
bylaws and the insurance policy
From Oct. -
June, PTAC meetings will be held at the ARL
building which is right next door to the BOE
Oct.
6
PTACHC General membership meeting at
the ARL 7:30 pm
Oct.
11 Coffee
and Conversation with BOE 9:00 am - 11 am at River Hill
High Cafeteria
Oct.
16 BOE meets
with PTA Presidents and CAC 7:30 pm at BOE
Oct.
29 PTACHC
Sharing Session/ Workshop at Faulkner Ridge Center,
10598 Marble Faun Lane Time: 7 pm - 9:30 pm
2nd
Monday Nov. 10
PTACHC General membership meeting meets at
the ARL
Nov.
14/15 MD PTA Fall Convention for info www.mdpta.org
Dec.
1
PTACHC General Membership meeting at ARL 7:30 pm
The
ARL is the Applied Research Lab school located at 10920 Route
108.
This is next
door to the Dept. of Education.
Thank you for being an advocate for every child with one voice.
Back to previous page
