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It is so very important . . . .
to make the invitation to join your PTA a welcoming and informative one.
GUIDELINES FOR A GOOD INVITATION LETTER
Writing a letter and attaching the membership envelope or a form is a chance
to inform people about the importance of your PTA (and PTA in general) and the
benefits of being a member. Use this same information when you make a personal,
verbal "ask" and when you speak to parents at kindergarten
orientation or Back to School Night. Samples of letters asking people to join
PTA can be found in the Toolkit - Membership chapter - but the key elements are:
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
- Membership is open to anyone interested in the welfare of children, not just
parents but staff,
grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, community businesses, students, etc.
- The amount of per person dues.
- The membership drive never ends and people can join at any time.
- Your theme and goal as well as any incentives.
WHAT YOUR PTA PROVDES FOR THE SCHOOL
- Be specific about what PTA has funded at your school: programs, events and services,
such as:
Book Fair, reading incentive programs, Reflections, field trips, Family Fun Nights,
student
recognitions, staff appreciation, Red Ribbon Week, campus beautification, etc.
- State that the input of members is welcomed in establishing the goals and
programs each year.
WHAT MEMBERSHIP MEANS
- Becoming a member of the largest volunteer child advocacy group in the nation
that promotes
parent participation and has been in existence for over 100 years.
- Having a voice (voting rights) in local PTA meetings and representation at state
and National PTA
conventions.
- Involvement is always encouraged but participation in monthly meetings is not
required.
JOINING A LOCAL PTA MEANS JOINING THE PTA ORGANIZATION
- A portion of your local dues goes to your PTA council (if in council), your
district PTA, California State PTA and National PTA. All these levels of PTA provide
training materials, workshops, support, newsletters, legislative representation
and advocacy, community programs and make your PTA part of the network of PTAs
nationally.
- The PTA organization is a non-profit organization of volunteers that has over
1 million members in California and over 5 million members nationwide.
From the May 2007 issue of "The Communicator", published by the
California State PTA; full issue (as well as Spanish version of this information)
available at www.capta.org
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