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Florida PTA e-News
January 2022
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Happy New Year Florida PTA!
As we head into 2022, we are still facing unique challenges, but I know we remain focused and ready to overcome them, united together for All Children. What we do is paramount, especially when times are tough. Our children and communities need us now, more than ever. Tough times like these can lead us to question our why. Why do we do what we do? That is normal and is to be expected. Pause, take a deep breath, refocus, and it will come back to you and reinvigorate you to complete the work and move forward. It seems each day we think we are getting it down and then each day brings its own new challenge. If you find yourself needing to talk to someone, know that we are here for you. Your Florida PTA Board of Directors is here; do not hesitate to reach out for support, for an ear to listen or to just talk things over with someone. Our strength lies within each other and is the bedrock of what separates our great association from any other: our people, our family, our resolve.
Florida PTA continues to offer ways to engage, educate and empower our leaders and members. We hope you take advantage of the Get Engaged Wednesdays events that are offered every Wednesday as a free resource. If you are unable to attend, you can visit our webpage for previous events: https://floridapta.org/get-engaged-wednesdays/
Save these dates for some upcoming Florida PTA events:
- January 30-February 1: LegCon
- February 17: Founder's Day
- February 19: How Do You PTA Today Leadership Summit (virtual)
- March 7-14: Florida PTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Week
- March 12: How Do You PTA Today Leadership Summit (virtual)
- April 23: Reflections Celebration Event (virtual)
- June 14-19: National PTA Convention, National Harbor
- July 21-24: Florida PTA Leadership Convention, #FindYourPath at the Omni Resort at Championsgate
With thanks and appreciation,
Jennifer "Jen" Martinez
President | Florida PTA
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Join us for our LegCon 2022 - January 30-February 1. In-person registrations are almost full but we have unlimited space for virtual attendees!
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Schedule:
January 30: Meet & Greet Dessert Reception
January 31: Workshops and advocacy training
February 1: Tour the Capitol and meet with legislators
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Leadership Convention 2022
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Florida PTA Leadership Convention
July 21-24, 2022
The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
The resort is located at:
1500 Masters Boulevard, Championsgate, FL 33896
Due to the location and popular demand of this resort, hotel reservations are now open so members attending can reserve their room(s).
Book now to ensure you have a room onsite, no funds are need to reserve a room at this time.
Please use this link to the Florida PTA special hotel pricing page. Make your reservations now to ensure your PTA discounted pricing. Booking through the resort online or directly with the resort will not allow you to take advantage of the discounted pricing.
Average room prices will range from $159-$309, depending on size, location, and style. You can arrive early or extend your stay with the reduced rates depending on room type and availability.
Parking is free for those staying at the resort and for anyone that lives close and choses to drive over daily.
The resort fee has been reduced to $9 and when you book your hotel room it will be reflected in the pricing.
All workshops, ticketed events, exhibitors and General Meetings will be in one building located within just steps of each other. This hotel has ELEVATORS and lots of restrooms! We know that sounds silly, but it is a refreshing change of pace for us.
Stay tuned for more details and information!
We look forward to seeing you there!
#FindYourPath
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Last Call for 2022 Leadership Convention Workshops
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Do you have a workshop that you would like to see and/or offer at Leadership Convention? If so, please click the link below to complete the Google Form “Call For Workshops and Presenters” for our 2022 Leadership Convention.
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Increase Your Membership!
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What’s Worked for Increasing Membership – Elementary Level
The Membership Committee asked three Elementary Schools that have had significant membership increases this year to share some tips for what has worked to increase their membership. It’s not too late to implement some of these ideas for the current year, but you can also use them to plan for future years.
1. Set a goal – Set a goal and set it high. Make sure your goal is known among the administration, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians. Provide goal updates periodically. Work towards your goal all year.
2. Offer prizes – One school gave a mini-Bundt cake to each staff member that joined as a thank you! Set prize levels for each class that obtains a certain percentage of membership (Your membership form in MemberHub can include a spot to give credit to a specific class/classes). These don’t have to be expensive – work with the school to see what you can offer (pajama day, school approved snacks, extra recess, etc.). Once a class hits the goal, make sure you broadcast it so people know!
3. Never stop asking and sharing your membership – Social media is great, but not everyone sees it. Engage through other sources like email, flyers, and personally asking people. Any time you give something out, include membership information with it. Stand in the pickup line with a QR code and give it to all the cars. They can sign up while waiting to pick up!
4. Use resources available – Both National and Florida PTA provide a lot of resources, pictures, etc. on their Facebook and websites. These are already available, and you don’t need to spend time recreating the wheel.
5. Brag About Yourself – Make sure people know what your specific PTA does. One school makes a daily post about something that they’ve done for the school, teachers, and/or students. If people know what PTA does, they are more likely to join. Let them know their dues help with all of this (and that it doesn’t mean they have to volunteer).
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Scholarships - Deadline is February 1st!
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What Is Implicit Bias? How to Recognize and Change Our Unconscious Stereotypes and Assumptions
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Membership Has Its Benefits!
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There are many benefits of becoming a PTA/PTSA Member. But many times we look at the “What do I get out of being a PTA/PTSA Member?”
While National PTA offers discounts to Members, It’s great to come up with benefits at your Local Unit!
Here are some Ideas that you may find beneficial:
- Create Partnerships within your local community that will benefit your PTA/PTSA Members.
- Offer Membership Perks to Families for Free Entry or Discounted Entry to PTA/PTSA hosted events.
- Give PTSA Student Members a discount on School Events.
- Host a School Wide Incentive and/or Class Incentives for reaching a Membership Goal.
- Provide the Teachers and Staff within your school a sign for their door to proudly display that they are PTA/PTSA Members.
- Offer Grants to the Teachers and Staff for Joining.
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National PTA Notes From The Backpack
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Families in Transition: Lessons from the Military
Episode 52 • 5th January 2022 • Notes from the Backpack: A PTA Podcast • National PTA
Click here to view podcast.
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Mark your calendar for these upcoming Florida PTA Dates. Watch for more details about each event as the date comes closer.
1/11/22: Florida Legislature begins
1/14/22: Reflections due to the state
1/30-2/1/22: Legislative Conference and Capitol Visits, Tallahassee, Hybrid event, limited in-person attendance
1/30-2/4/22: Children's Week in Tallahassee
2/1/22: Scholarship Applications Due
2/17/22: Founder's Day
2/19/22: Leadership Summit (virtual)
3/12/22: Leadership Summit (virtual)
4/23/22: Student Reflections Celebration (virtual)
6/14-6/19/22: National PTA Convention with the Legislative Conference, National Harbor, Maryland
**7/21-7/24/22: Florida PTA Leadership Convention, Orlando, Florida (new dates and location!)
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We look forward to seeing you throughout the year at our various events, whether in-person or virtual, there is sure to be something for everyone! If you have any questions about any of the events, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at: info@floridapta.org
This upcoming year is also an election year for Florida PTA. If you're interested in being nominated for an elected officer position for the 2022-2024 term, please click this link for detailed information!
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Follow us on social media!
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ShopPTA.com sells official PTA and PTSA logo apparel, membership items, awards, gifts and more. All products are offered through each of the participating State PTA organizations. Visit shoppta.com for all your PTA needs!
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