PTA
Who We Are
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PTA is an organization of nearly 6 million
parents and concerned adults, working to
support parent involvement in schools so
children succeed and learning environments
improve.
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Why Do People Join PTA?
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PTA builds bridges between homes and schools,
integrating the efforts of parents with principals
and teachers. When you get involved in PTA,
the child who benefits most is your own, but you
are also positively affecting your child's school,
your community, your state legislation, and your
nation's education policies.
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Why Do People Join PTA?
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PTAs have a broad role to play, beyond fundraising.
Parents who are knowledgeable about issues can
effectively participate in local and district school
decisions, and can address legislative needs to
allocate more funds for public schools, such as
 School construction and modernization,
 School safety,
 High-quality teachers,
 High nutrition standards in school lunch
programs,
 After-school programs, and much more.
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The Best in Parent Involvement
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For more than 100 years, National PTA has promoted the
education, health, and safety of children and families. It was
founded in 1897 in Washington, DC, as the national
Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe
Apperson Hearst.
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National PTA was created to meet a profound challenge: to
better the lives of children. Today, it continues to flourish
because PTA has never lost sight of that goal.
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PTA Vision
What the future will look like if PTA accomplishes its
mission.
Every child's potential will be a reality
PTA Mission
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A powerful voice for all children,
A relevant resource for families and
communities, and
A strong advocate for the education and wellbeing of every child.
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PTA Purpose
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To promote the welfare of children and youth in home,
school, community, and place of worship.
To raise the standards of home life.
To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of
children and youth.
To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that
parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the
education of children and youth.
To develop between educators and the general public such
united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the
highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual
education.
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Our Rights
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To function as an independent, nonpartisan child
advocacy group
To seek enactment of policies and practices that
protect children and youth.
To participate within school board policy in the
setting of school goals and assist in the review of
teaching materials.
To participate in making decisions affecting policies,
rules, and regulations.
To meet with appropriate school officials to discuss
matters of mutual concern affecting children.
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Our Responsibilities
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To protect access to quality education for all children
To seek information on policies, curricula, and laws
that affect children.
To share accurate information with members and
the school community.
To know, help, and interact with teachers and
administrators.
To accept responsibilities willingly to assure that the
PTA is strong and active.
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Our Responsibilities
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To work both within PTA and the school in a
constructive manner, maintaining respect for
democratic procedures and a tolerance for
the diversity of opinions.
To work in partnership with school
professionals to determine appropriate
programs and services.
To participate in making decisions affecting
policies, rules, and regulations.
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Policies for All Levels of PTA...
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All levels of PTA operate under three core policies:
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Non-partisan policy
Non-sectarian policy and
Non-commercial policy.
We are a non-profit organization, so National PTA
and all state PTAs have been granted tax-exempt
status under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section
501(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(4). We must maintain
strict adherence to these requirements in order to
retain our tax-exemption. Many PTAs must file
records with the IRS.
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Policies for All Levels of PTA...
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A PTA is accountable to the parents,
students, teachers, and school community it
serves. A PTA's budget is approved annually
by its membership and its financial operations
are reported on at regular, public meetings.
PTA's mission of creating safe and nurturing
environments for all children means
promoting diversity and inclusiveness within
your PTA, your school, and your community.
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Your PTA: Programs and Activities
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Providing parent involvement information,
resources, events, and activities is central to
the work of PTAs.
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Your County Council PTA
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The purpose of the council is to enable leaders,
provide leadership training, and coordinate the
efforts of the local PTAs in Harford County.
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Support of local PTA’s in the county.
Provide official representation at state PTA conventions
Represent the county on the state PTA board of directors.
Provide representation on the state PTA Legislative
committee.
Provide coordination and county judging for the Reflections
Program.
Support local units as they take action on local issues.
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Your State PTA
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State PTAs partner with National PTA to provide
services and programs to local units, helping them
achieve goals and grow membership..
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State PTAs activities are to develop and strengthen
leadership within councils and local PTAs, organize new
PTAs, and increase public understanding of PTA work.
State PTAs engage in legislative activity at both the state
and federal levels.
Share information and provide instruction at state
conventions.
Publish a state bulletin and other materials.
Conduct conferences and workshops; and assist councils
in conducting similar educational meetings..
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Your National PTA
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National PTA raises public awareness and provides parents and
families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child.
The work of National PTA is directed by its board of directors and
standing committees...
 The focus of National PTA's legislative activity is to "secure
adequate laws for the care and protection of children and
youth.".
 National PTA's website provides information, news,
services, and resources about education, health and safety
issues, and federal legislative activity..
 National PTA also offers free e-mail newsletters to bring
news and updated information directly to PTA leaders,
members, and the public.
 Provides Member-to-Member Network, a grassroots
advocacy system that helps secure adequate laws for the
care and protection of children and youth.
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Contact Information
Harford County Council of PTA
P.O. Box 435
Bel Air, MD 21014
www.hccpta.org
Maryland PTA
5 Central Ave.
Glen Burnie, Md. 21061
410-760-6221
www.mdpta.org