National Representative
2011 – 2012
Diversity & Multiculturalism
By the end of this workshop you will be able to :
• Understand the meaning of diversity.
• Understand the value of growing a more diverse
PTA.
• Engage diverse populations.
National PTA
By the Numbers
The Melting Pot
A Nation of Immigrants
• Most of us can trace our family
roots to places outside of the
United States.
• There is a great pride felt by U.S.
citizens for their ancestral
homelands.
• We celebrate diversity in
communities across the country.
National PTA
By the Numbers
• Past research has shown PTA
is NOT a diverse organization:
–
–
–
–
By ethnicity (82% Caucasian)
By gender (94% Female)
By geography (66% suburban)
By income (81% of PTA HHs
have incomes of $50K+)
Data: 2008 NPTA Member/Leader Survey
National PTA
By the Numbers
Former 2005 data showed 34% of
children in public schools were
of color.
Data trends indicate that by 2020,
at least 46% of public school
students will be of color.
Data: Pew Charitable Trust & U.S. Census Data Projections
Understanding
The
Meaning
Of
Diversity
Diversity is…
The recognition of diversity within organizations is valuing
differences and similarities in people through actions and
accountability. These differences and similarities include age,
ethnicity, language and culture, economic status, educational
background, gender, geographic location, marital status, mental
ability, national origin, organizational position and tenure,
parental status, physical ability, political philosophy, race,
religion, sexual orientation, and work experience.
Adopted by the National PTA Board of Directors in 2010
Does Your PTA …?
Inclusivity & Cultural Sensitivity
• Hold flexible meetings vs.
meetings held at same time and
place?
• Include everyone in events &
activities vs. certain populations?
• Represent various cultural groups
in your community vs. the majority
view?
• Communicate in various
languages vs. English only?
• Have homogenous leadership on
any level?
“We have become not a melting
pot, but a beautiful mosaic.
Different people, different beliefs,
different yearnings, different hopes,
different dreams.”
Jimmy Carter
39th President of the
United States of America
Understanding
The
Value
Of
Diversity
Group Discussion
1. Have you ever
witnessed an act of
prejudice against
anyone?
2. What did you do?
3. What did you say?
4. How did it make you
feel?
The recognition of diversity within
organizations is valuing differences and
similarities in people through actions
and accountability. These differences
and similarities include age, ethnicity,
language and culture, economic status,
educational
background,
gender,
geographic location, marital status,
mental
ability, national
origin,
organizational position and tenure,
parental status, physical ability,
political philosophy, race, religion,
sexual
orientation,
and
work
experience.
Adopted by the National PTA Board of Directors in
2010
Diversity & Multiculturalism
A Checklist
 Do you have clear policy statements about your
PTA’s commitment to diversity?
 Does your membership and leadership reflect the
diversity of your community and the children you
serve?
 Are your meetings accessible and appealing to a
broad range of potential members?
 Do you collect and maintain demographic data to
help in planning and evaluating your efforts?
“No one is born hating another person because
of the color of his skin, or his background, or his
religion. If [people] can learn to hate they can
be taught to love, for love comes more naturally
to the human heart than its opposite.”
Nelson Mandela,
Former President, Republic of South Africa
How do we get there
PTA Resources
For Diversity
PTA Resources
For Diversity
• National Standards for Family-School
Partnerships
• Urban Family Engagement Initiative (UFEI)
• Outreach to Fathers/Male Involvement (PTA
MORE)
• Emerging Minority Leaders Conference (EMLC)
• NPTA Committee on Diversity
• More to come…
Steps
Next
Your
Moving Diversity & Multiculturalism Forward
Diversity & Multiculturalism
Moving it Forward with Next Steps!
• Learn more about the diversity of your community.
o Use data sources to understand the demographics in
your area.
• Build your own “diversity” goals.
o Pick some areas that you can easily change (perhaps
gender diversity) and some that might be a stretch for
your PTA.
• Pick some areas you can easily change to make your PTA
a welcoming place for all.
o Look for alternate times or places for your meetings.
Ask parents and others who don’t come to PTA
meetings what would get them to attend. Be creative
and responsive!
Tell us what works for you!
Use the Great Idea Bank at
PTA.org
to get and share ideas!
Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common.
Celebrate it every day.”
- Author Unknown
Questions?
(800) 307-4PTA (4782)
info@pta.org
PTA.org