You Want to Start a PTA in Your School?

Here's how I became involved in PTA. Last year, when P was in kindergarten, I paid my dues and never went to another meeting. Well, I don't even know if there WAS another meeting, but that's a different story. P started a brand new school this year, it wasn't even completely finished this August when the doors opened. It's beautiful and has so much incredible technology, we absolutely love it.

Anyhow, during a school tour, I asked who to speak with about joining the PTA. I was told there wasn't one yet. That lots of parents had expressed interest, but no one had offered to head up the process of getting it started. I'm not exactly sure what came over me that day. I mentioned above that I had only ever been to one meeting. Yeah. I offered to do it.

As you come to know me, you'll find that I tend to commit to things before I think them through, and then completely immerse myself in whatever I've just jumped into. I started researching that evening, I filled a 3 inch binder with as much information as I could find. What I found is that National PTA lays everything out for you. It is fantastic. But it's not all on the pta.org website. There's a sister site that walks you through all of the positions, all of the paperwork, and all of the expectations,

We'll get you started with the basics today. Here is a link to the history of the PTA. I urge you to understand how and why the PTA was founded, it will help guide you in the development of your school's PTA. After you've learned a little about the history, this website has the real meat and potatoes on exactly what you need to do to get started.

I will say that it is a lot of paperwork. A lot. But, it's totally worth it. Planning events and fundraisers, talking to teachers about their needs and wants, working to make sure that all of our kids are getting what they need... it makes my heart happy.

As we move forward in the school year, I'll be sharing what works and what doesn't for our PTA.

If you have any questions about the nuts and bolts of getting started, comment below!

Hello!

Hey all, I'm Allison! I've been married to the most amazing huz ever for 8 years, together for 13 total. We have 2 boys, ages 6 and 4 and a huge dog named Fawn. I work from home as a Brand Promoter for Le-Vel Thrive, I knit as often as I can sit down, and I love to try new recipes. I am also helping build a PTA for the new elementary school in the area and am the President.

Big P is an incredible artist and engineer. He loves drawing pictures of robots and then building them with legos or linking toys. It's amazing to watch his mind work. He's a Star Wars nerd just like the huz and he loves watching Minecraft tutorials.

Little C is hilarious and scrappy. He's small for his age but boy does his personality make up for it! Shy at first, but once he is comfortable, he's a total ham. He loves Mickey Mouse and Big Hero. He also loves to make up songs about whatever he might be doing.

The huz is a chef at a swanky retirement community, he absolutely loves his work. He gets to create fine dining food for people who really appreciate it. He loves all things history and Star Wars. He hates sports. (I LOVE this about him) Our football is watching DVR'ed episodes of Chopped on the weekend.

Like I said earlier, I'm a brand promoter for Le-Vel Thrive. It's an amazing wellness program that is done in 3 simple steps in the first half hour or so of your day! It's a total game changer.

I knit for fun, I started when Little C was an infant, I had just had major surgery and was down for 10 weeks. I needed something to keep me entertained, I picked up a set of needles and some yarn and I haven't quit yet!

I'm a bit of a nut for pinterest, I love finding new recipes! The huz gets to try them out on his days off. He enjoys this thoroughly.

I got involved with PTA at the beginning of this year when I asked who to talk with about joining. I was told there wasn't anyone, so I decided that I had some time and that I'd take it on. So far, it's been really interesting learning the history of the PTA and how they have been integral in advocating for children for over 100 years! I'll be sharing my hits and misses with starting up and getting running.