The grassroots advocacy system that helps secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
For more than a century, PTA has change the lives of children across our nation for the better—speaking with a unified voice on behalf of young people’s education, health, safety, and well-being. Times and issues may have changed, but advocating for children remains a critical responsibility of PTA members.
We are concerned with the laws, policies, and conditions that affect children and their families, whether at the local, state, or federal level. That’s our role as advocates.
PTA defines advocacy as the act of supporting and speaking on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
As an individual, one of the most effective ways to become an advocate at the local level is by joining PTA’s Member-to-Member Network, a coalition of state and local PTA members who keep federal officials apprised of PTA’s legislative issues and priorities.
If you’re ready to take action on federal issues of concern to PTA, then join the thousands of PTA advocates nationwide who are already making a difference in children’s lives through PTA’s Member-to-Member Network.
What will I be asked to do if I join?
1. Respond to Action Alerts
When there is an issue of high priority, PTA’s National Office of Programs and Public Policy sends network participants a legislative Action Alert. These alerts provide all the information you’ll need to effectively advance PTA’s position:
- A description of the issue at hand and what is at stake
- The message you are asked to relay
- Talking points
- Background information
- PTA’s position
- Whom to contact and how
2. Stay Informed of Legislative Issues
Network participants will receive PTA’s legislative newsletter This Week in Washington. Written each week Congress is in session, the newsletter reports on
- Federal legislation and regulation that PTA’s National Office of Programs and Public Policy is monitoring relating to PTA’s priority issues;
- Formal actions taken by PTA on legislation and regulation;
- Congressional White House, or national coalition meetings that PTA representatives attended; and
- Recent reports and education statistics.
PTA’s legislative positions are determined by the resolutions adopted at the annual convention or are adopted by the board of direct ors. The National PTA Legislative Program is the primary authority for action taken by PTA on federal legislation and regulations. Members of the network are expected to support and promote PTA legislative positions.
