VP for Advocacy -

Any PTA district, council or unit may recommend action on legislation to the California State PTA Board of Managers. PTA districts, councils, and units are responsible for taking action on local issues originating in school districts, cities, regions, or counties.

Laws enacted by local, state and national bodies are primary sources of public policy. Securing adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth is one of the purposes of the organization. Therefore, PTA maintains an active legislation program.

PTAs can and must participate actively in the process through which public policy decisions are made.

Obtain materials from predecessor and unit president, or if no materials are available, begin a new legislative file that includes:

• California State PTA Sacramento Update and Legislation Action Report subscriptions
• National PTA Legislative Program

Attend PTA district and council meetings, conferences and workshops when legislation information is featured; know your PTA district and council counterparts and consult them for advice and assistance.

Study the Legislation Policies and Procedures (4.2.5, 102) adopted by convention delegates in the odd-numbered years. The policies define how the California State PTA legislation program works; unit and member participation in the California State PTA and National PTA legislation program is guided by the policies.

Study the Legislation Platform (4.2.4, 101) adopted by convention delegates in the even-numbered years. The platform outlines the scope of PTA legislation activities.

Become familiar with PTA resolutions (contact PTA district president for assistance) and California State PTA position statements.

Learn how a bill becomes law; know how to get copies of bills; learn how to obtain information on and track bills; and know how to contact legislators. Maintain a list of the names, addresses, phone/fax numbers, and e-mail addresses, if available, for all elected representatives in your area: U.S. Senators, U.S. Congressional Representative, State Senator, Assemblymember, board of supervisors, city council members, and school board members. Report to PTA members about issues affecting the school and community, and the legislative activities at all levels of government. Be objective; give factual reports. Be sure to include PTA positions. Circulate materials from California State PTA and National PTA.

Write newsletter articles; give reports at PTA meetings.

Observe Legislation Policy No. 11 (California State PTA Legislation Policies and Procedures 4.2.5, 102) which sets guidelines for sending advocacy information home with students. Establish contacts with local individuals, groups, organizations and agencies to develop sources of information on local and statewide issues that affect the school, families and community. Invite legislators, policymakers, and elected officials to visit your school.

Know the state legislative calendar year (two year session).

Respond to legislative alerts from the California State PTA and to action alerts from the National PTA.

Keep PTA district and council, and California State PTA counterparts informed about your contacts with legislators and your responses from legislators.

Encourage PTA members to:

• Meet with local government officials (e.g., school board, city council, county supervisors). Know the local policies and ordinances affecting children and youth.
• Meet with state and federal legislators when they are in the PTA district office.
• Attend school board meetings.
• Participate in California State PTA legislative conferences and PTA district and council sponsored visits to Sacramento.
• Participate in legislation study groups. (How to Make a Study 7.4.2, 264)
• Identify issues of local need or special interest by informal survey of members, suggestions from other PTA committee chairmen or school authorities.
• Consult with PTA district or council legislation chairman to coordinate your efforts with other PTAs in the area. Forward findings to appropriate people if study involves a district or state issue.
• Work with other local community organizations (e.g., League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, Chamber of Commerce) to sponsor nonpartisan candidates' forums preceding elections.