What do my dues go towards?
If you joined with cash or check at the beginning of the year, you paid $8, of which $2.25 goes to National PTA, $2.25 goes to Texas PTA, and $3.50 goes to Ditto PTA. If you join online through joinpta.org, there is a $1.50 processing fee also, bringing that total to $9.50. Ditto PTA uses the fees and all funds raised through fundraisers to support students through teacher allotments, curriculum purchases, field trips, special programs, and more. You can access our latest financial reports on our website for more information.
Why should I join the state/national PTA?
National and state PTA provide resources that our PTA can use as well as resources for schools and families. PTA is the oldest and largest national child advocacy organization in America, with over 22,000 local PTAs and nearly 3.5 million members. During the past 120 years, PTA’s advocacy has helped establish things like universal kindergarten, the National School Lunch Program, and anti-child labor laws. PTAs also advocate at the state level. In the 86th legislative session, Texas PTA tracked 776 education and child-related bills through committees and hearings. As a member of the Ditto PTA, Texas PTA, and National PTA, there are various discounts and perks at many different companies. (Here and here are the lists of discounts!)
Do I need to do anything when I join the PTA?
Paying dues makes you a member of PTA. After that, your participation level is up to you, and can include attendance at general meetings, volunteering for an event, joining the board, etc.
Am I required to attend meetings?
No, you are not required to attend meetings. But we hope you do!
Does a staff member run the PTA or is it run by parents?
It is run solely by parents! Teachers are encouraged to join PTA but all work and volunteering is done by parents. So…if you ever feel frustrated about how PTA leadership is managing an event, please remember that all PTA members are unpaid volunteers who often have full-time jobs in addition to their family and are volunteering their free time to help our school community.
What is the PTA board and what role does it play in our school?
There are 42 spots on our PTA executive board with jobs ranging from President to Ditto Dance Chair to Room Rep Coordinator. Different positions entail different levels of work, and there are a variety of time requirements. You don’t have to be a stay-at-home parent to be on the executive board, most are not! View the entire current board listing HERE. Many board members serve more than one role simply because there were not enough people volunteering for all of the spots, and we needed someone to fill the role. The PTA board has monthly meetings and does most of the decision-making for PTA events. This board makes up a large portion of the volunteers for various events, although we love volunteers! Please consider volunteering to serve on the executive board next year.
How are PTA board members chosen?
In the spring, a form comes home where parents can nominate themselves or others to be on the board. There is a nominating committee of five people who work to fill positions from those forms that are turned in. You can reach out to any current board member as well if there is a specific position you are interested in.