LAPTA Toolkit
Download the 2024-25 LAPTA Toolkits as a PDF or Word file so that you can customize the forms. The toolkits 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 and its index. Share the appropriate sections with all members of the Board of Directors. Individual forms and fillable PDFs can be found on the position-specific pages, especially for the Treasurer.
Please email Beth Maillho if anything needs further explanation, is missing, or is wrong or needs an edit. We love feedback and welcome all comments, big or small!
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 Word File or PDF
Sec 4. Secretary PDF
Sec 5. Board of Directors PDF
Sec 6. Membership PDF
Sec 7. Advocacy PDF
Sec 8. Elections & Nominating Committee PDF
Sec 9. Bylaws, Standing Rules, Articles of Incorporation PDF
Sec 10. Awards, Grants, and Contests PDF
Toolkit Sec 1. Louisiana PTA and National PTA
4 Louisiana PTA Office; Board of Directors
5 History of Louisiana PTA
6 Louisiana PTA Office
6 What does LAPTA Do?
6 Friends of LAPTA
7 Mission Partners of LAPTA
7 About National PTA
8 National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships
Toolkit Sec 2. President
Index:
10 Leadership Traits
11 Essential Knowledge
12 Getting Started
12 President’s Binder and Files
13 Building the Board of Directors (BOD)
14 Work with Your Feeder Schools and PTAs
14 Pick Your PTA Programs
14 Leadership Development & Training (Required)
15 Membership Dues
15 Finances
16 Fundraising Strategies
17 MoneyMinder.com and CheddarUp.com
17 Meeting Types
18 Elements of Successful Meetings
18 Parliamentary Procedure
19 BOD Orientation Meeting
20 Agendas and the Minutes
21 Problem Solving
22 Icebreakers
22 Inclusion (DIO)
23 Promote Diversity
23 Hold Inclusive Meetings
24 Partnering with Administrators and Teachers
25 President’s Checklist
27 Calendar for LAPTA
29 Active Affiliation Report and Retention Plan
30 Year-End Checklist and Transition Guidance
31 Sample Agenda
32 Sample Meeting Script
34 Sample Passwords & Accounts Summary
35 Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy
Toolkit Sec 3. Treasurer
Index:
38 Introduction
38 Treasurer’s Binder
39 Responsibilities of the Treasurer
39 Raising Money
40 Principles of PTA Financial Management
41 Budget
42 Financial Reports (3 Types)
42 MoneyMinder and CheddarUp
43 Banking and E-Commerce Policy
45 Insurance (Required)
45 Articles of Incorporation
45 Federal Taxes
47 State Sales Tax
47 Gifts to Schools
47 Audit Committee and Its Report
48 Record Keeping & Retention
49 School Officials and PTA Funds
50 Appropriate Use of PTA Funds
52 Active Affiliation and Retention Plan
53 Treasurer's Overview
53 Year-End Financial Checklist
54 Inventory Accountability Form
55 Sample Budgets and Comparison Reports
57 Deposit Form
58 Expense Form
59 Budget Approval Form
60 Bylaws and Amendments Approval Form
61 Audit Report Form, Instructions and Worksheet
64 Letter for NSF Check
65 General Donation Agreement
66 Monetary Donation to a School
68 Equipment Purchased by a PTA for Its Use
Toolkit Sec 4. Secretary
Index:
69 Importance of Secretary
69 Secretary’s Binder
70 LAPTA Calendar
72 Responsibilities of Secretary
72 Dividing Responsibilities
73 Historian
74 Minutes Overview
75 Content of Minutes
76 Motions
76 Elections
76 Records Retention
77 Communications and Social Media Policy
78 Sample Agenda
79 Sample Minutes
80 Motion Form
81 Roster Sign-In Sheet
82 Inventory Accountability Form
83 Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy
85 Active Affiliation and Retention Plan
Toolkit Sec 5. Board of Directors
Index:
87 Importance of Boardsmanship
88 Being a Board of Directors’ Member
89 Leadership Traits
89 Getting Started
90 How Boards Succeed
90 Executive Committee
91 BOD Committees
92 Email Protocol
92 Virtual Meetings
93 Procedure Binder
93 Leadership Development & Training
93 Finance for Board Members
94 Brief Checklist for BOD
95 LAPTA Calendar
97 Communications and Social Media
98 Partnering with Administrators and Teachers
99 Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy
101 Active Affiliation Report and Retention Plan
Toolkit Sec 6. Membership
Index:
103 Introduction
103 Procedure Binder
104 Membership Chair Duties
104 Submit Membership Dues
105 Membership Campaign Theme
106 Create Your Own PTA Value Message
107 Collecting Dues Online with CheddarUp
107 Monthly Membership Challenges
107 Annual Membership Awards
108 Membership Calendar
110 Hashtag and Email Signature
110 Sample Membership Ask Email
110 Customize the PTA Logo
111 Sample Membership Ask Flyer
112 Sample Membership Thank You
Toolkit Sec 7. Advocacy
Index:
114 Introduction to Advocacy
115 Gateway to Advocacy: Why Advocate?
116 Advocating on an Issue: Planning
116 Advocating on an Issue: Setting Goals
117 Advocating on an Issue: Raising Public Awareness
117 Conducting Candidate or Issue Forums
119 Forum Timeline
120 Implementation: Developing Your Message
121 Resolutions and Legislative Positions
121 Using the Media
122 How to Write a Press Release
122 Sample Thank You Letter to Legislator
123 Advocating with Your School Board
123 Advocacy Award for Local PTA Units and Students
Toolkit Sec 8. Elections and Nominating Committee
Index:
125 Nominating Committee
126 Elections
127 Election Timeline Summary
128 Script for Non-Contested Elections
129 Script for Contested Elections
130 Nominating Committee Report
131 Teller Committee Report
132 PTA Members as Candidates for Public Office
Toolkit Sec 9. Bylaws, Standing Rules,
and Articles of Incorporation
Index:
134 Updating the Bylaws
135 Timeline Summary for Bylaws Approval
135 Standing Rules
136 Articles of Incorporation
Toolkit Sec 10. Awards, Grants, and Contests
Index:
138 Awards, Grants, and Contests Summary
139 Monthly Membership Challenges
139 Annual Membership Awards
140 Fire Safety Poster Contest
141 Reflections Theme Search Contest
142 Reflections Program
143 Outstanding PTA Newsletter Award
144 Advocacy Award for Local PTA Units and Student
145 Volunteer of the Year Award
146 Mentor-a-PTA Award
146 National PTA Grants
146 Louisiana PTA Grants
146 Top Grant Writing Tips
147 $750 Literacy Grant Application
148 $750 Healthy Minds Grant Application
149 $500 LAPTA Day of Service Grant Application
150 $500 Creative Teacher Grant Application