WHAT IS A LOCAL PTA/PTSA BOARD/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE?
The local PTA/PTSA board/executive committee takes action on matters that require attention
between meetings. It handles emergencies as they arise and carries on the specific functions
assigned by the bylaws. It can consist of its elected offices alone or elected officers and
committee chairs. The local unit is often a member of a council, which can serve as an
organizing and coordinating body for all local units in the area.
DOES PTA RECOGNIZE "CO" PRESIDENTS/CHAIRMEN?
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised does not recognize "co" officers. Co-president or
co-chairman implies two of equal rank. However, this is not correct. Only one may be
recognized and may vote. The second forfeits these rights. Vice President or Vice Chairman is
someone who serves in place of, and they hold a recognized office and have the privilege of
vote.
WHAT IS QUORUM?
It is important to establish a quorum which can reasonably be depended on to be present at any
general meeting. The quorum should be a specific number rather than a percentage which
might cause the quorum to be a different number at each meeting. In a board of committee, the
recommended quorum is one over half, which is a majority of the board or committee.
WHAT ARE BYLAWS?
Bylaws of the PTA/PTSA determine its structure and provide specific regulations by which its
affairs are governed. They protect the group from error and guide it to efficient service. The
bylaws define or explain the rules under which the PTA/PTSA functions. A group, upon
organization and before becoming a local unit of the Tennessee PTA, must adopt bylaws to
meet its particular needs and submit two copies for approval to the Tennessee PTA Bylaws
Chairman. Upon approval, the chairman returns one copy to the local unit and sends the other
copy to the State Office to be placed on file.
The local PTA/PTSA board/executive committee takes action on matters that require attention
between meetings. It handles emergencies as they arise and carries on the specific functions
assigned by the bylaws. It can consist of its elected offices alone or elected officers and
committee chairs. The local unit is often a member of a council, which can serve as an
organizing and coordinating body for all local units in the area.
DOES PTA RECOGNIZE "CO" PRESIDENTS/CHAIRMEN?
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised does not recognize "co" officers. Co-president or
co-chairman implies two of equal rank. However, this is not correct. Only one may be
recognized and may vote. The second forfeits these rights. Vice President or Vice Chairman is
someone who serves in place of, and they hold a recognized office and have the privilege of
vote.
WHAT IS QUORUM?
It is important to establish a quorum which can reasonably be depended on to be present at any
general meeting. The quorum should be a specific number rather than a percentage which
might cause the quorum to be a different number at each meeting. In a board of committee, the
recommended quorum is one over half, which is a majority of the board or committee.
WHAT ARE BYLAWS?
Bylaws of the PTA/PTSA determine its structure and provide specific regulations by which its
affairs are governed. They protect the group from error and guide it to efficient service. The
bylaws define or explain the rules under which the PTA/PTSA functions. A group, upon
organization and before becoming a local unit of the Tennessee PTA, must adopt bylaws to
meet its particular needs and submit two copies for approval to the Tennessee PTA Bylaws
Chairman. Upon approval, the chairman returns one copy to the local unit and sends the other
copy to the State Office to be placed on file.
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WHAT IS A LOCAL UNIT?
A PTA is a self-governing local units linked to the Tennessee PTA and the National PTA (and where applicable, a council PTA), the
largest child advocacy group in the United States. Through this linkage, the local unit is part of a nationwide network of adults
working for all children and youth. Local units provide parents, teachers, and community members the opportunity to unite to
improve children's lives by addressing health, education, and social concerns. Through its own plans, programs, and activities, the
local unit strives to meet the needs of children and youth in its own community.
ABOUT OUR SERVICE MARK - PTA
In order to ensure proper and legitimate use of the phrase Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the National PTA has established the
following guidelines:
1. When referring to the PTA in print, do not use periods to separate the letters.
2. The PTA should be referred to in capital letters at all times.
3. The PTA symbol is a registered service mark and may not be used by non-member organizations.
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The future of your PTA/PTSA is in this committee's hands. The members of the nominating committee are ELECTED not selected,
and should have PTA knowledge and know the members within the PTA/PTSA. The committee selects one nominee for each office
to be filled. Members of the nominating committee are not prohibited from becoming a nominee for office themselves.
PTAs - LEGISLATE AND ADVOCATE
The PTA is concerned with enactment, implementation, and enforcement of legislation to improve the education, health, and
welfare of children and youth. PTA encourages all local units to appoint a Legislative Chairman to help coordinate local, council,
state and national legislative programs and to provide information to the general membership on legislative issues relating to the
health, education, and welfare of children and youth.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PTA/PTSA AND PTO?
The PTA is an association that provides members with access to an established network of volunteers at the local, council, state,
and national levels who help one another and share resources, ideas, and projects. It goes beyond the local school as many
problems affecting children and youth cannot be solved by local action alone. There is strength in numbers, and the PTA has the
clout and numbers to get the job done. Parent groups or PTOs are solely school based and do not provide a larger network of
individuals, resources, training opportunities and support.
A PTA is a self-governing local units linked to the Tennessee PTA and the National PTA (and where applicable, a council PTA), the
largest child advocacy group in the United States. Through this linkage, the local unit is part of a nationwide network of adults
working for all children and youth. Local units provide parents, teachers, and community members the opportunity to unite to
improve children's lives by addressing health, education, and social concerns. Through its own plans, programs, and activities, the
local unit strives to meet the needs of children and youth in its own community.
ABOUT OUR SERVICE MARK - PTA
In order to ensure proper and legitimate use of the phrase Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the National PTA has established the
following guidelines:
1. When referring to the PTA in print, do not use periods to separate the letters.
2. The PTA should be referred to in capital letters at all times.
3. The PTA symbol is a registered service mark and may not be used by non-member organizations.
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The future of your PTA/PTSA is in this committee's hands. The members of the nominating committee are ELECTED not selected,
and should have PTA knowledge and know the members within the PTA/PTSA. The committee selects one nominee for each office
to be filled. Members of the nominating committee are not prohibited from becoming a nominee for office themselves.
PTAs - LEGISLATE AND ADVOCATE
The PTA is concerned with enactment, implementation, and enforcement of legislation to improve the education, health, and
welfare of children and youth. PTA encourages all local units to appoint a Legislative Chairman to help coordinate local, council,
state and national legislative programs and to provide information to the general membership on legislative issues relating to the
health, education, and welfare of children and youth.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PTA/PTSA AND PTO?
The PTA is an association that provides members with access to an established network of volunteers at the local, council, state,
and national levels who help one another and share resources, ideas, and projects. It goes beyond the local school as many
problems affecting children and youth cannot be solved by local action alone. There is strength in numbers, and the PTA has the
clout and numbers to get the job done. Parent groups or PTOs are solely school based and do not provide a larger network of
individuals, resources, training opportunities and support.