Why PTA?
Did You Know?
PTA is the largest and oldest volunteer association in Tennessee and the United States devoted solely to the welfare of children.
Tennessee PTA volunteer leaders provide field service to local units and counseling for problems which arise. As part of a state and national organization, local PTA units exchange ideas and gain new insights from others’ experience.
Tennessee PTA provides blanket federal income tax exemption through the Internal Revenue Service for all PTA units and councils. Your local PTA unit is considered a 501C 3 because of its affiliation with the Tennessee PTA.
Your voice is heard through Tennessee PTA and our legislative efforts. We spend many volunteer hours talking with legislators, compiling reports and informing PTA members of legislation pertaining to children.
Annual winter conferences along with state and national conventions permit all PTA members to make their voices heard in the shaping of PTA policies.
PTA bylaws and procedures ensure that each PTA – from the local unit to the National PTA – operates democratically and protects the rights of each member.
Tennessee PTA’s scholarship program provides many scholarships each year to qualified, graduating high school seniors.
PTA’s activity in health issues include – comprehensive health, tobacco including second hand smoke and smokeless tobacco, food allergies, diet disorders/obesity, ingredient labeling, alcohol and drugs, immunizations, child nutrition programs, child growth and development, and others.
PTA’s Arts in Education program has given thousands of children a better understanding of art through the Reflections Program and through the citizenship essay and safety poster programs.
PTA offers training courses free of charge to its members. These courses provide information about PTA and how it best functions. The PTA offers self-improvement training, which enables members to function well as leaders in PTA and other community activities as well.
The effectiveness of any organization is determined by the caliber of its leadership. PTA is often the training ground for a community’s leaders because we provide printed materials and workshops on programming, budgeting, leadership skills, and parliamentary tips.
National PTA’s initiative to include family engagement at the Federal level was based on the National PTA Standards that addressed parent involvement in the schools.
PTA provides publications for all PTA work and information pertaining to children and education.
PTA operates a website which is updated and keeps members informed of PTA projects and action.
PTA Membership Is Open To Everyone
PTA is an inclusive organization that is open to all adults who care about children and schools. We actively invite all parents to participate in PTA, and work hard to bring mothers, fathers, teachers, school administrators, grandparents, mentors, foster parents, other caregivers, and community leaders into the organization.
All Parent Groups Are NOT the Same
Many local groups focus solely on fundraising. In contrast to other parent groups, PTAs have a broader role to play in the education of children, far beyond fundraising.
We at PTA know that advocacy works. If our members choose to get involved by working on issues that affect their children and schools, members receive the information and training they need to work effectively at the local, state, and national levels for school funding, school construction, school safety, high-quality teachers, high nutrition standards in school lunch programs, after-school programs, and more. These efforts benefit all children, including those whose parents are members of non-PTA parent groups.