Introduction to Membership
Membership stands as the cornerstone of the PTA, with the Membership Chair holding the responsibility for enlisting as many new members as possible. This role is undeniably one of the most crucial within the organization because, without members, the PTA's initiatives cannot come to fruition. Membership is open to anyone who aligns with the National PTA mission and purposes. Inclusivity is a core commitment of the PTA, striving to represent and aid all those involved in nurturing and educating children. The organization actively seeks to embrace a diverse range of cultures, races, ethnicities, and beliefs, as well as individuals from varying economic and educational backgrounds.
PTA has three levels: the Local PTA Unit, Louisiana PTA at the state level, and National PTA at the national level. National PTA stands as the nation's largest and oldest nonprofit volunteer organization advocating for children's well-being. Its core mission revolves around enhancing the lives of all children and adolescents. Given the broad geographical, cultural, and economic diversity of its membership, the PTA holds immense potential to make a positive impact on every child.
2024-25 Theme: Join the PTA Adventure!
The 2024-25 theme for Louisiana PTA is “Join the PTA Adventure” which points to the fun side of PTA, the direction of your PTA’s work, and emphasizes joining as a member. How can you keep PTA fun for yourself and others? What direction is your PTA headed? Have you planned for the PTA’s future? What does your PTA adventure look like? The philanthropic work of PTA is a huge personal opportunity to give to others and to positively impact the lives of children to help them reach their potential!
If you like, you can customize this logo with your PTA name on Canva.
Membership is all about relationships.
Build a PTA that reflects all families and your school community.
When PTAs respect differences yet acknowledge shared commonalities uniting their communities, and then develop meaningful priorities based upon their knowledge, they genuinely represent their communities. When PTAs represent their communities, they gain strength and effectiveness through increased volunteer and resource support.
You Belong in PTA
To bolster your membership recruitment activities, National PTA has developed a suite of materials, including a campaign toolkit that outlines how to effectively communicate the value of PTA membership.
Click "Membership Resources" and you'll be connected to a suite of materials and resources, including a comprehensive campaign toolkit, visual assets, collateral materials, a campaign implementation checklist and video. We hope you find these resources engaging, impactful, and fun!
Training Videos
Create a QR Code to Increase Membership
This short video tutorial will teach you how to create a QR code to quickly and easily link potential members to your online membership join platform, membership application or other important PTA resources of your choice.
Effective and Engaging Virtual Meetings
Don't miss these ideas to help engage and grow your membership by holding effective virtual meetings. Many of the tips provided also work for face-to-face meetings.
Beyond the School Building:
Strategies for K-6
Check out these additional ideas to virtually engage, empower and grow membership in a virtual world for the K- 6 community.
Beyond the School Building:
Strategies for Grades 7-12
PTA is so much more!
Handouts
Explore tangible ways to strengthen and grow your PTA's membership through National PTA's plethora of Membership Resources. Build a PTA that reflects all your families and your school community. When PTAs respect differences yet acknowledge shared commonalities uniting their communities, and then develop meaningful priorities based upon their knowledge, they genuinely represent their communities. When PTAs represent their communities, they gain strength and effectiveness through increased volunteer and resource support. Support the Hispanic/Latino families in the school community with translated PTA materials.
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10 Myths and Truths - PDF or Spanish PDF
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10 Myths and Truths Fillable - PDF or Spanish PDF
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125 Ways to Increase Membership - PDF or Spanish PDF
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ABCs of Male Engagement - PDF
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Virtual Membership Campaign - PDF or Spanish PDF or Word
Sec 6: Membership
Index:
Introduction.................................................................................................... 106
Procedure Binder......................................................................................... 106
Getting Started.............................................................................................. 107
Membership Chair Duties........................................................................ 107
Submit Membership Dues....................................................................... 107
Membership Campaign Theme............................................................. 108
Create Your Own PTA Value Message................................................ 109
Collecting Dues Online with CheddarUp........................................... 111
Monthly Membership Challenges......................................................... 111
Annual Membership Awards................................................................... 111
Membership Calendar............................................................................... 112
Hashtag and Email Signature ............................................................... 114
Sample Membership Ask Email........................................................... 114
Customize the PTA Logo......................................................................... 114
Sample Membership Ask Flyer............................................................. 115
Sample Membership Thank You........................................................... 116
Membership Card Templates (English & Spanish)
*The 2023-24 Membership Card are in English and Spanish. Use the graphics to create a Thank You Note and send to all members. A sample Thank You Note is in the Membership Toolkit.
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Membership Page of Cards: Avery Template - English PDF or Spanish PDF
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Membership Single Card - English PDF or Spanish PDF
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Membership Card PNG English and Spanish (Right click to download):
Submit Member Dues
2. Download & Email Spreadsheet Roster
Update the roster for all new members for whom you are submitting dues. Email to office@LouisianaPTA.org. Download a free version of Microsoft Excel called Libre here.
For your Local PTA Unit's membership goal, email MembershipChair@LouisianaPTA.org.
All our PTAs are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and must remain neutral and nonpartisan during elections. PTA leaders who choose to enter or support the political or legislative arenas in their private, non-PTA capacities are strongly urged to avoid even the appearance that their private activities have, in any way, the endorsement, approval, or support of the PTA. Election Guidance & Tools are available on the LAPTA website at louisianapta.org/advocate
The membership rosters your unit generates and provides to Louisiana PTA contain private information. PTA respects the rights to privacy each member expects; therefore, Louisiana PTA, and our Local PTAs will not release PTA membership lists to non-members or outside interests, or use membership lists for personal gain or profit. If you have any questions, please contact us at president@louisianapta.org or office@louisianapta.org
LAPTA Membership Goal
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Louisiana PTA had a goal of 13,013 members for 2023-24 year. We surpassed our 2022 goal with 12,560 members! Thanks to everyone who helped spread the important message and mission of PTA! For your Local PTA Unit's membership goal, email MembershipChair@LouisianaPTA.org.
2024-25 Monthly Membership Challenges
LAPTA has a goal of 10,102 members for our 102nd year in 2024-25. LAPTA needs the support of the Local PTA Units to help reach that goal! To be eligible for awards, all PTAs must have Active Affiliation status. The qualifying PTA units will receive recognition and automatically be entered into a monthly drawing for $100! Each PTA has a goal set by LAPTA. Email the Membership Chair at membership@LouisianaPTA.org for your goal.
August Welcome Back, Yall Award
Submit 25 members by August 31
plus all Officers are registered at LouisianaPTA.org/register.
September Jazz Start Award
Jazz up the PTA with 50% or more of the previous year's PTA membership by September 30.
October Swamp Monster Award
Don't let the Rougarou get you before submitting 31 new members by October 31.
November Harvest Award
Harvest 50 new members and file Active Affiliation Report by November 30.
December wONEderland Award
Achieve 100% of previous year’s membership by December 31.
January 2025 Kick Off Award
Kick off the new year by submitting 25 new members by
January 31.
February Happy Birthday, PTA Award
Celebrate National PTA's birthday on February 17 by adding 17 new members by February 28.
March Krewe of Membership Award
Throw us a dozen new members by March 31.
Annual Membership Awards
LAPTA has a goal of 10,102 members for our 102nd year in 2024-25 and we need our Local PTA Units to help reach that goal! Qualification for awards is done without application. LAPTA uses the information on the Local PTA Unit Membership Reports emailed to submit@LouisianaPTA.org by April 1, 2025. The annual membership awards will be announced in April, 2025.
Challenge Champ Award
Earn five or more Monthly Membership Challenges
Membership Matters Award
Increase membership by at least 10% over the previous year
All Star PTA Award
Reach the LAPTA membership goal at least 3 consecutive years
Golden Apple Award
100% membership of teachers and administrators
Golden Magnolia Award
Membership total is at least 100% of student enrollment count
