We are learning with you as we make this transition, so bear with us. Here are a few pointers which we'll update frequently. We'll be adding more tips after the Welcome Workshops as we learn more. Thank you for your patience and compliance!

1. The 2024-25 list of those registered with LAPTA was used to connect emails with PTA Units. If you need an email added, contact President@LouisianaPTA.org or Affiliation@LouisianaPTA.org. 

2. Create your account here. The final step requires an email validation.

3. Use your personal email to create your account. If your account was linked to a PTA with a wrong (not personal) email, this can be updated. The Officers and Board Members needs to be updated with any changes. More than one PTA can be associated with an email.

4. ​PTAs are *encouraged* (not required) to use Givebacks for their online store and website instead of CheddarUp and PTBoard. It will be easier for you if your members purchase memberships directly on Givebacks. If not, then you'll just need to enter that info in for each person.

5. We are still learning about their free accounting feature that would replace Quickbooks or MoneyMinder.​​

6. Current membership dues for 2024-25 are still submitted through the CheddarUp at LouisianaPTA.org/membership. 

7. Go through each menu item down the left side of the page to review everything. Get a better review of Givebacks by scheduling a one-on-one training with Valerie Licata at Givebacks at valerie.licata@givebacks.com.

8. PTAs are required to use Givebacks for the following:

   1. Officer Registration: Under the COMPLIANCE menu item, select "Update Officers" to register all officers and Board Members with LAPTA for 2025-26. There are several required Board positions: President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership, and Principal. All Principals are on the Board by default. Caddo Parish lists them as a VP. Please enter their information under Principal so that we can better identify them. 

   2. Affiliation: Under the COMPLIANCE menu item, select "Submit Forms" to submit the 2025-26 Affiliation Report.​

   3. Submitting Dues to LAPTA: Under the MEMBERSHIPS menu item is the link to submit dues to LAPTA for 2025-26. **PTAs can collect membership dues however you want on any platform or through paper forms. If dues are collected outside of GB, then the PTA needs to import that information.

9. Reset your Givebacks web address. Each PTA's Givebacks site was named "lapta-[LUR #].givebacks.com. Please change the beginning of the address to something such as ABCPTA.givebacks.com. Under "My Organization," select "Info & Settings." On the upper right of the page, look for "Subdomain." It will allow you to create a new name for your PTA's Givebacks site. Click SAVE CHANGES. This is your new website address, such as LAPTA.Givebacks.com. See a screenshot here.

10. Set up your Stripe Account if you plan to receive payments on your givebacks site. The President and Treasurer are authorized positions to handle financial items. Use a personal email to do this as it requires personal information to be in compliance with federal banking regulations. This needs to be updated when that officer's term ends. Disable any pop-up blockers when setting up the account. If a new tab does not automatically open to continue the account creation, then it was blocked by the pop-up blocker feature on your browser. Email Philip at Affiliation@LouisianaPTA.org to have it reset for you.​

11. Memberships for 2025-26 can be purchased by the Local PTAs now on Givebacks. However, payment to LAPTA for 2025-26 dues will not open until July 1. All payments for LAPTA dues must use a check as payment. 

12. There is a $2 processing fee per transaction for a Local PTA Unit to submit dues to LAPTA. 

13. The PTA can select how processing fees are paid when a person makes a purchase on their Givebacks site. Under "Store" menu item, select "Settings." Choose "Pass on processing fees to your payers" (recommended) or "Cover processing fees for your payers." The fees are 3.95% plus 59¢/transaction.

14. If you use Givebacks as the PTA store, you can set up custom notifications to automatically receive email notifications. Under "Store" menu item, select "Products." Create a new notification to specify which emails will be notified of a purchase.

15. Once a parent creates a Givebacks account and purchases memberships, each PTA that they are a member of will be listed on their dashboard.​

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Left Side Menu Highlights 

1. CONTACTS - There are 5 ways for people to be added to your contacts list: 1) They purchased memberships. 2) They purchased any item from your GB store. 3) They made a donation to a fundraiser. 4) You manually imported their contact info. 5) They sent a "Join Request" through your GB website. 

2. MEMBERSHIPS - "Members" shows all current members by year. Click the "..." (3-dot menu on the right side) to manually enter memberships not purchased directly through GB. "Membership Products" is where you itemize the types of memberships you offer. "Remit State Dues" is how you pay dues to LAPTA. The number of dues owed to LAPTA is automatically generated by direct membership purchases through GB -AND- by manually entering purchases done not on GB (through paper forms, cash, checks or on other electronic platforms).

3. COMMUNICATIONS - You can send emails to your contacts as either a 1) Messages (simple, plain emails) or 2) Newsletters (fully customized email with graphics and more).

4. STORE - View orders under either STORE -- "Ordered Items" or FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT -- "Orders" to sort and view different formats. "Mobile POS" sets up the ability to receive payments through a mobile app.

5. FUNDRAISING - There are several different types of fundraisers that you can offer. "Crowdfunding" is a donation drive; "A-Thons" for a fun run, etc; "Ticketed Events" creates unique QR codes for tickets and allows you to scan those codes for access; and "Auctions" and "Multi-Type" cover other types. LOTS to explore here!

6. SHOP TO GIVE - This is passive fundraising where people create an account and have donations automatically generated to the PTA when they purchase things from MANY National businesses.

7. COMPLIANCE - This is important! This is where you will submit your affiliation report through "Forms." 1) Select "Submit Forms" to see the 7 required forms that need to be completed by October 31 of every year. 2) Select "Update Officers" to view and update Officers and Board Members. This is also required to be current and updated each year.

8. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - "Payouts" shows the weekly transfer of any funds brought into GB on Fridays along with the line item source for the money, ie Membership Dues, Uniform Store, or Dance Tickets.

9. WEBSITE - This customizes the public-facing website for the PTA including adding pages.

10. MY ORGANIZATION - Use "Manage Access" to add admins. "Unit Data" was imported by LAPTA. Use "Notifications" to have automated emails anytime there is a submission to your site. "Promotions Center" has publicity and marketing images to promote "Shop to Give" and more. "Info & Settings" is where you would change the domain name for your website (**Everyone should customize this!**) and enter other details, logos, and header images.