What is a Resolution?
A resolution is a formal statement of opinion adopted by an assembly. Resolutions adopted at the Annual Meeting direct the action of the Tennessee PTA. It is through resolutions that you, a PTA/PTSA member, determine:
• What positions will be taken on issues
• What programs are top priorities
• What legislation to support at the State Capitol in Nashville or at the US Congress in Washington, DC
Tennessee PTA Resolutions Lead
Charles Everett, Tennessee PTA Legislative and Resolutions Chair
Questions about Resolutions? (Email)
Marketing and Promotional information based on Adopted Resolutions:
Flyer for Local Food, Local School Resolution
Image for Student Data Resolution
Resolutions Adopted
April 2023 Adopted Resolutions:
Tennessee School Support Organization Financial Accountability Act
Radon Testing
Support Educators
Child Nutrition
Educational Funding Resolutions:
Adequate Funding for Education
Funding for Public Education
Public Funds for Public Education
More Tennessee PTA Resolutions
Charter Schools
Safety from Gun Violence in Schools
Student Privacy Protection
Childhood Immunizations
Bullying and Harassment
Food Allergies in Schools
School Buildings’ and Portable Classrooms’ Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Energy Drinks Marketing
Farm to School Program
Environmental Protection
Expansion of School Programs
Parental Accountability
AIDS Community Education and Curriculum
Alcohol Advertisement Restriction
Annexation and Educational Services
Assist the Homeless
Education of Homeless Children/Families
Healthy Breakfast
Notice: The Tennessee PTA Resolutions process will now match the National PTA Resolutions process. Stay tuned for more details about the new process for Tennessee PTA.
What are the requirements for a submitted resolution
A submitted resolution must:
- Relate to education, health, safety, or welfare of children and youth.
- Be in harmony with the purposes and the basic policies of National PTA, as stated in the bylaws of every constituent organization of National PTA.
- Concern a matter that is state or national in scope, written with a state or national focus, and requiring statewide or nationwide action for solution.
- Demonstrate with background information that the problem is state or national in scope. State a position not previously adopted by Tennessee PTA.
- Contain “Whereas” statements and “Resolved” statements that are written in language appropriate for state or national consideration.
- Include “Whereas” statements that do not cite the National PTA Purposes or the Tennessee PTA Statements. (These are already established and assumed, though Purposes or Position Statements can be included in the rationale.)
- The required number of cited sources.
Handbook, Checklist, Submission Form:
Resolution Handbook TBD
Before you write your resolution – read the handbook.
Resolution Checklist TBD
Before you submit your resolution, go through the check list.
Resolutions Submittal Cover Sheet TBD
Submit resolution with completed and signed cover sheet
Past Information about Resolutions
Background References Material:
- Contain background reference materials that are factual. It can include, but is not limited to, information such as educational, safety, and welfare articles or updates; copies of documented research; copies of pertinent laws; government publications and regulations; and copies of articles from professional publications.
- Not include newspaper articles, abstracts, editorials, and materials from other organizations intended for lobbying and advocacy purposes.
- Not include personal letters, logs of phone calls, or e-mail printouts, which are not good documentation because they cannot be verified.
Procedures for adopting resolutions:
After receiving a submitted resolution by the deadline, the Resolutions Committee shall research, edit or adapt the resolution and inform the sponsor of the committee’s decision. The resolutions to be presented shall be distributed by the state president or the State PTA Office to the general membership of the Tennessee PTA.
Resolutions approved by the Resolutions Committee shall be presented to the Board of Managers at the pre-convention meeting for discussion. Any board amendments shall be presented to the convention body as board recommendations.
Emergency Resolutions must be submitted to the Resolutions Chairman ten (10) days prior to the convention only if the urgency of the subject matter has arisen after the established deadline. They must conform to all established criteria and be approved by the Resolutions Committee. During the Resolutions Committee Report to the convention delegates, the state president will ask for a two-thirds affirmative vote from the convention delegates to bring the Emergency Resolution to the convention floor. Once the affirmative vote is received, the submitting group must provide enough copies for the entire convention body.
Resolutions Committee Responsibilities
The Resolutions Committee shall meet after February 15 to consider the resolutions submitted and prepare them for convention distribution/approval. The Committee:
- May combine two or more resolutions.
- May edit or adapt resolutions, if necessary, to make them appropriate for convention action.
- May make substantive changes with the consent of the submitting committee
- Shall reject all resolutions that do not meet all established criteria
- May refer resolutions to committees of the Tennessee PTA Board of Managers for additional information or recommendations for actions by the Resolutions Committee Shall distribute in advance and present to the convention body all resolutions that meet the criteria and qualifications established.
Resolutions for the Tennessee PTA All resolutions adopted by the convention body have a five (5) year active life. Unless resolutions are reaffirmed at the end of that time period, they will be retired and placed in the historical record.
Submitters must be available to work with the Resolutions Committee to make necessary changes to meet these criteria.