PTA
work is done through the committee structure.
Structure- The PTA
executive board (the elected officers) decides which committees are needed to support its
goals. All committees are formed for a specific
purpose.
There are two types of Committees:
The Standing
Committee work is year round. The chairman is voted into
the position by the executive board (the
elected officers). The chairperson is a member
of the Board of Directors and votes and share in the
responsibility of the PTA. (Roberts Rules does
not recognize co-chairs, one person must be the person in charge)
A Special
Committee is formed for a specific task and once its work
is accomplished is disbanded. The special committee chair
is not a voting member of the board of directors but is
welcome to attend board of director meetings.
Example of Standing
Committee vs
Special Committee
Family
Involvement
Bylaws
Health &
Safety
Nominating
Membership
Budget
Newsletter
Audit
All committees must do a Plan of Work
and must estimate expenses and income generated for the
budget. The committee must report monthly to the Board
of Directors about the
activities of the committee.
The following is a
list of committees that the local PTA unit may wish to
consider for their PTA. choose and adapt to your PTAs goals.
After School Activities (standing
committee)
The
committee would oversee the implementation of after school
activities Read after school guidelines from the PTA
Council.
Awards (special committee)
Selects
and honors those who contributed above and beyond the local
level; advises local PTAs on achieving Council/MD/Nat'l PTA Awards
Bylaws (special committee)
Formed every three years to update unit
bylaws.
Budget (HCPSS) (special committee)
Examines
and prepares testimony on HCPSS capital and operating budgets
Budget (Local PTA Unit) (special
committee)
Forms budget for the year based on goals set by Board of
Directors and committees plans of work estimated
expenses. The treasurer serves as chair of this special
committee.
Community Advisory Council (CAC) (standing
committee)
Representative
attends monthly meetings (3rd Tues of month) of
this advisory council to the BOE and reports
back to the PTA Board of Directors and general memberships. The
meetings include educational issues on a county level.
Contact HCPSS Public Information at 410-313-6682 for more
information.
Cultural
Arts Committee (standing committee)
After
consultation with the PTA executive board, GT teachers,
principal and assistant principal, the committee books
various cultural events for the school year.
Education Issues (either)
This
committee addresses the needs of students who require special
education programs. These students include the gifted
and talented and all children defined by the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Objectives
of this committee are to 1) provide PTA members with current
information on the needs of children who require special
education; 2) report on the availability of such education;
and 3) propose the means by which more adequate education
can be provided.
Environmental Issues (either)
To
help educate building users on healthy habits regarding
indoor school environments as well as surrounding grounds. Members
can work with teachers and administrators to coordinate
Earth Day Celebrations that are both educational and fun. This
committee helps to establish and participates in an Indoor
Environmental Quality Team at the school which helps monitor
the indoor and outdoor environment.
Family
Involvement Program (standing committee)
The committee
should be a broad representation of the entire membership
and should be appointed as soon after the election of new
officers as possible, so that it may have sufficient time
to plan the program for the coming PTA year.
The term program means
several things: the total planned activities of the
association, the presentations or special events scheduled
for each meeting and the printed program of activities
for the year.
Select
some specific field in which the activities of the PTA
will most effectively serve the needs of the children and
youth. Plans should be flexible so that they can
be modified to meet changing conditions, concerns and needs
of the community.
Health Issues (either)
This
committee focuses on the quality of life of the child and
builds partnerships with parent and community in order
to provide effective comprehensive health programs (nutrition,
curriculum and services).
Historian (either)
To act
as custodian for all records and other materials pertinent
to the PTA’s history in a permanent file.
Hospitality (standing)
The goal
of the hospitality committee is to develop a spirit of
friendliness among the members of the PTA and others who
attend its meetings. The committee organizes the
serving of refreshments for PTA general meetings, executive
board meetings, staff appreciation lunches, and special
school activities.
International/Intercultural
Relations (either)
This
committee promotes the development of programs and activities
that 1) assist in securing for all children the goal of
enduring peace and 2) foster understanding and appreciation
of the diverse cultures within our own nation and those
of other countries that, with us, comprise the global community.
Legislative Activities (either)
Informs
members of legislative issues at county/state/nation and presents
PTA positions to
policy makers
Membership (standing)
The goal
of the membership committee is to build an informed, active
membership, familiar with the mission, objects, policies,
and programs of the PTA. The committee collects membership
dues, distributes membership cards and maintains a current
membership list.
Newsletter/Communication (standing)
The committee
collects articles from students, staff and PTA members. Prepare
the layout and submit to PTA President for final approval
prior to printing. Transport the newsletter to and
from the printer and distributes to the students. Send
PTA news via online communication.
Public Relations (standing)
To help create public awareness and support for PTA goals and programs
by using every medium of communication.
Reflections (special)
This
committee arranges National arts program at the school and
assists the Council in the county program.
Classroom
Representatives (standing)
These
volunteers are the vital link between the local PTA and
the school. They try to bring into closer contact
the members with the school, to work with both the staff
and parents to interpret and promote the work of the PTA. These
representatives can function as a committee. The
president can appoint a chair to represent the committee
on the executive board.
Safety Issues (standing)
This
committee encourages home, school and community to join
together to determine needs and implement appropriate safety
measures. Every child should have an education that
helps develop safe living habits. (This committee
could easily be combined with the environmental committee.)
Safe-to-School (either)
This
committee would establish and maintain the Safe-to-School
program (if not already a school supported function). Arrange
for parent participation within the program and volunteers
to actually perform the daily duties.
Scholarships (special)
Selects recipients and oversees administration of scholarship money.
School Improvement Team
The
chair of this committee would act as a liaison between
the PTA executive board and the School Improvement Team. It
would be ideal if the chair were a member of the SIT. (Parent
Involvement is required on all SIT teams.) Communication
between both of these advocacy groups is important to the
success of your school.
Staff
Appreciation Committee
This
could be a sub-committee of the Hospitality committee. This
committee organizes one or two evening dinners during conference
week, a luncheon during staff appreciation week, and various
“surprise” gifts during the year to show our
appreciation for the staff.
Student Involvement (standing)
This
committee promotes the well being of secondary school students
whose problems as adolescents are varied and challenging. Encourage
middle and high schools to become PTSAs and involve students
as full partners.
Substance Abuse (HC DrugFree Rep) (standing)
This
committee encourages parents and teachers to work with
children and youth to prevent and combat the abuse of tobacco,
alcohol and other drugs. The committee should work
closely with PTA committees and local organizations concerned
with health.
Technology
(Website, list serve) (either)
The committee
can maintain an already existing website, or establish
a website for your local PTA unit. Maintain other
technology related services to members. Can be utilized
as per the specific needs of your PTA.
Volunteer (standing)
This
committee coordinates volunteers for PTA sponsored activities
and/or school activities, upon request. Parents are
surveyed to see where they would like to volunteer their
time in the school. The committee prepares a list
of possible volunteers for each activity. PLEASE,
PLEASE, PLEASE, take the time to call members back if they
have taken the time to volunteer their personal time. Many
parents have said they signed up - but were never called. Be
careful not to turn away potential future leaders for your
PTA.
Ways and Means (standing)
The main
function of the of the Ways and Means Committee is to arrange
for fund raisers to support the PTA Budget which in turn
supports the goals established by the executive board. A
portion of the budget funds the Cultural Arts program. In
addition the budget can fund such projects as Safe-to-School,
Push-Up books and family activities. The chair can
oversee the activities of various subcommittees as it relates
to fund raising.
