LAPTA Toolkit
Definition: A collection of expert skills, knowledge, procedures, and information for a particular topic or activity:
Examples: 1) "The PTA President shared the informative LAPTA Toolkits with everyone in their PTA units and everyone enjoyed a productive and successful year!"
Download the 2024-25 LAPTA Toolkits as a PDF or Word file so that you can customize the forms. They contain everything PTA, such as the procedures, details, programs, sample forms, grants, contests, and other helpful information. The individual Toolkit sections are available to download below or scroll down to view individual sections. Share the appropriate sections with all members of the Board of Directors.
2024-25 LAPTA Toolkit
Download the 2024-25 LAPTA Toolkits as a PDF or Word file so that you can customize the forms. They contain everything PTA, such as the procedures, details, programs, sample forms, grants, contests, and other helpful information. The individual Toolkit sections are available to download below or scroll down to view individual sections.
LAPTA Toolkit: All Sections - Word File or PDF
Sec 1. LAPTA & National PTA PDF
Sec 2. President PDF
Sec 3. Treasurer PDF
Sec 4. Secretary PDF
Sec 5. Board of Directors PDF
Sec 6. Membership PDF
Sec 7. Advocacy PDF
Sec 8. Inclusion DIO PDF
Sec 9. Elections & Nominating Committee PDF
Sec 10. Bylaws, Standing Rules, Articles of Incorporation PDF
Sec 11. Awards, Grants, and Contests PDF
Toolkit Sec 1. Louisiana PTA and National PTA
Louisiana PTA Office; Board of Directors................................. 4
History of Louisiana PTA................................................................... 5
Louisiana PTA Office........................................................................... 6
What does LAPTA Do?........................................................................ 6
Mission Partners of LAPTA............................................................... 7
Friends of LAPTA................................................................................... 7
About National PTA.............................................................................. 8
National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships....9
Toolkit Sec 2. President
Index:
Important Document and Terms........................................................ 12
Leadership Traits....................................................................................... 12
Essential Knowledge................................................................................ 12
Getting Started........................................................................................... 14
President’s Binder..................................................................................... 14
Building the Board of Directors (BOD)........................................... 15
Pick Your PTA Programs........................................................................ 16
Leadership Development & Training (Required)....................... 16
Finances......................................................................................................... 17
Fundraising Strategies............................................................................ 18
MoneyMinder.com and CheddarUp.com........................................ 19
Membership Dues..................................................................................... 19
Meeting Types............................................................................................. 19
Elements of Successful Meetings..................................................... 20
Parliamentary Procedure....................................................................... 20
Orientation Meeting................................................................................. 21
Agendas and the Minutes..................................................................... 22
Icebreakers.................................................................................................. 23
Problem Solving......................................................................................... 24
Partnering with Administrators........................................................... 25
Partnering with Teachers....................................................................... 26
President’s Checklist............................................................................... 27
Calendar for LAPTA.................................................................................. 29
Active Affiliation Report and Retention Plan............................... 31
Year-End Checklist and Transition Guidance.............................. 32
Sample Agenda.......................................................................................... 33
Sample Meeting Script........................................................................... 34
Sample Passwords & Accounts Summary.................................... 36
Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy................ 37
Toolkit Sec 3. Treasurer
Index:
Introduction........................................................................................................... 40
Treasurer’s Binder............................................................................................... 40
Responsibilities of the Treasurer................................................................. 41
MoneyMinder and CheddarUp...................................................................... 41
Principles of PTA Financial Management............................................... 42
Raising Money....................................................................................................... 43
Budget....................................................................................................................... 43
Banking and E-Commerce Policy................................................................ 44
Insurance (Required)........................................................................................ 46
Articles of Incorporation................................................................................. 47
Federal Taxes........................................................................................................ 47
State Sales Tax.................................................................................................... 48
Gifts to Schools................................................................................................... 49
Financial Reports (3 Types) ......................................................................... 49
Audit Committee and Its Report................................................................ 49
Record Keeping & Retention...................................................................... 50
Additional Resources....................................................................................... 50
School Officials and PTA Funds.................................................................. 51
Appropriate Use of PTA Funds.................................................................... 52
Active Affiliation and Retention Plan........................................................ 54
Inventory Accountability Form..................................................................... 55
Year-End Financial Checklist........................................................................ 56
Budget Approval Form...................................................................................... 57
Sample Budgets and Comparison Reports............................................ 58
Deposit Form......................................................................................................... 60
Expense Form....................................................................................................... 61
Bylaws and Amendments Approval Form................................................ 62
Audit Report Form, Instructions and Worksheet................................. 63
Letter for NSF Check......................................................................................... 66
Monetary Donation to a School................................................................... 67
Equipment Purchased by a PTA for Its Use ......................................... 68
General Donation Agreement....................................................................... 69
Passwords and Accounts Summary Sample.......................................... 70
Toolkit Sec 4. Secretary
Index:
Importance of Secretary............................................................................... 72
Secretary’s Binder............................................................................................ 72 Communications and Social Media....................................................... 73
LAPTA Calendar................................................................................................ 73
Responsibilities of Secretary...................................................................... 75
Historian................................................................................................................ 76
Minutes.................................................................................................................. 77
Content of Minutes.......................................................................................... 78
Motions.................................................................................................................. 79
Elections............................................................................................................... 79
Records Retention........................................................................................... 79
Sample Agenda................................................................................................. 81
Sample Minutes................................................................................................ 82
Motion Form....................................................................................................... 83
Roster Sign-In Sheet...................................................................................... 84
Inventory Accountability Form.................................................................. 85
Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy...................... 86
Active Affiliation and Retention Plan..................................................... 88
Toolkit Sec 5. Board of Directors
Index:
Importance of Boardsmanship.................................................................... 90
LAPTA Calendar................................................................................................... 91
Brief Checklist for Local PTA Units............................................................ 93
Being a Board of Directors’ Member........................................................ 94
Leadership Traits................................................................................................ 95
Quorum.................................................................................................................... 95
Getting Started.................................................................................................... 95
Executive Committee....................................................................................... 96
Committees.......................................................................................................... 97
Committee Examples...................................................................................... 97
Virtual Meetings................................................................................................. 99
Setting Goals....................................................................................................... 99
Procedure Binder.............................................................................................. 99
Email Protocol.................................................................................................... 99
How Boards Succeed...................................................................................... 100
Leadership Development & Training....................................................... 100
Finance for Board Members........................................................................ 101
Communications and Social Media......................................................... 102
Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy....................... 103
Active Affiliation Report and Retention Plan...................................... 105
Partnering with Administrators.................................................................. 106
Partnering with Teachers............................................................................. 107
Toolkit Sec 6. Membership
Index:
Introduction.................................................................................................... 109
Procedure Binder......................................................................................... 109
Getting Started.............................................................................................. 110
Membership Chair Duties........................................................................ 110
Submit Membership Dues....................................................................... 110
Membership Campaign Theme............................................................. 111
Create Your Own PTA Value Message................................................ 112
Collecting Dues Online with CheddarUp........................................... 114
Monthly Membership Challenges......................................................... 114
Annual Membership Awards................................................................... 114
Membership Calendar............................................................................... 115
Hashtag and Email Signature ............................................................... 117
Sample Membership Ask Email........................................................... 117
Customize the PTA Logo......................................................................... 117
Sample Membership Ask Flyer............................................................. 118
Sample Membership Thank You........................................................... 119
Toolkit Sec 7. Advocacy
Index:
Introduction to Advocacy........................................................................... 121
Gateway to Advocacy: Why Advocate?................................................ 122
Advocating on an Issue: Planning......................................................... 123
Setting Goals................................................................................................... 123
Raising Public Awareness.......................................................................... 124
Conducting Candidate or Issue Forums............................................ 124
Forum Timeline............................................................................................... 126
Implementation: Developing Your Message.................................... 127
Resolutions and Legislative Positions................................................ 128
Using the Media............................................................................................. 128
How to Write a Press Release................................................................. 129
Sample Thank You Letter to Legislator.............................................. 129
Advocating with Your School Board...................................................... 130
Advocacy Award for Local PTA Units.................................................... 131
Advocacy Awards for Students................................................................. 131
Toolkit Sec 8. Inclusion and DIO
Index:
Introduction............................................................................................. 133
Promote Diversity in Your School.................................................. 134
Hold an Inclusive PTA Meeting...................................................... 135
DIO Resources........................................................................................ 136
Toolkit Sec 9. Elections and Nominating Committee
Index:
Nominating Committee......................................................................... 138
Elections........................................................................................................ 139
Election Timeline Summary................................................................. 140
Script for Non-Contested Elections................................................. 141
Script for Contested Elections........................................................... 142
Nominating Committee Report......................................................... 143
Teller Committee Report....................................................................... 144
PTA Members as Candidates for Public Office.......................... 145
Toolkit Sec 10. Bylaws, Standing Rules,
and Articles of Incorporation
Index:
Articles of Incorporation..................................................................... 147
Updating the Bylaws.............................................................................. 148
Timeline Summary for Bylaws Approval...................................... 148
Instructions for Bylaws Template................................................... 149
Bylaws & Amendments Approval Form....................................... 150
Standing Rules........................................................................................ 151
Toolkit Sec 11. Awards, Grants, and Contests
Index:
Awards, Grants, and Contests Summary......................................... 153
Monthly Membership Challenges....................................................... 154
Annual Membership Awards................................................................. 154
Fire Safety Poster Contest..................................................................... 155
Reflections Theme Search Contest................................................... 156
Reflections Program................................................................................. 157
Outstanding PTA Newsletter Award.................................................. 158
Advocacy Award for Local PTA Units............................................... 159
Advocacy Award for Students.............................................................. 159
Volunteer of the Year Award................................................................. 160
Mentor-a-PTA Award................................................................................ 160
Apply for National PTA Grants............................................................ 161
Louisiana PTA Grants............................................................................. 161
Top Grant Writing Tips........................................................................... 161
$750 Literacy Grant Application....................................................... 162
$750 Healthy Minds Grant Application......................................... 163
$500 LAPTA Day of Service Grant Application........................ 164
$500 Creative Teacher Grant Application.................................. 165