Getting Your Questions Answered & Providing Resources
Q: What value is PTA when children are learning at home?
A: Membership is more important now than ever before simply because of the many benefits that PTA brings to every member of the community. At the local level, PTAs give members a stronger way to advocate for children, youth, and families within the school. PTAs offer enrichment programs, parenting supports, friendship opportunities, and fun. Don’t forget leadership development.

For the PTAs with council support, members can add district-wide advocacy and access to district-wide resources on top of additional training and leadership development. PTA members get access to great programs like the Reflections art contest, the VAPTA Citizenship Essay Contest, High School Senior Scholarship Program, additional family/parenting resources, and advocacy at the state and national level. These are all of the benefits of being part of a national organization.

Some of other words of encouragement from others regarding the benefit of having a PTA are:
  • PTA offers support for our families to stay connected. They can offer programs and activities to keep our children involved and connected. They can offer fun online activities and organize events like virtual fun runs to promote physical activity, or online book fairs to promote reading. The biggest reason is that even though our children are in a building, they are still in school!
  • Now more than ever, it is imperative that all families at your school are members of your PTA. VAPTA is doing everything possible to provide our PTAs with resources and strategies to help families navigate virtual. Your local PTA will be the link between families, schools, and resources to help all students and families thrive.
  • We all know our special education students and at-risk students are at a huge disadvantage during these times. They require hands on help to meet their everyday needs. By joining PTA, members add more advocacy support and voices to speak up for their children, their families, and their right for their education.

Thank you for continuing to focus on membership in 2020-2021 and bringing all the membership benefits to your community. To help support your efforts, the first five PTAs that email me with a direct ask to join AND a link to join online will get me as a member!

Q: We elected our board in the spring and now we have elected officers who have resigned, how do we fill these positions?
A: Please refer to your bylaws. Article 6: Officers and Their Election. Section 6. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by the following method:

President Structure:
a. A vacancy occurring in any office except that of president shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the Executive Board at their next scheduled meeting. In case of a vacancy in the office of president, the first vice president shall become president and shall hold office for the balance of the term. In the interim, the duties of the vice president shall be delegated by the president.

b. In the event of a vacancy in the office of president, and also in the absence of a vice president, the general membership shall elect the next president.

c. If there is more than one nominee for any office, then the voting shall be by ballot. A majority of the votes cast shall constitute which nominees are elected. However, if there is but one nominee for office, election for that office may be by voice vote. If by ballot vote, the secretary shall be responsible for destroying all ballots at the end of the meeting.

d. When a ten (10) day notice of the election is given, a majority of votes cast shall constitute an election. Without such notice a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present shall be required.

President-elect Structure:
a. A vacancy occurring in any office except that of president or president-elect shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the Executive Board at their next scheduled meeting. In case of a vacancy in the office of president, the president-elect shall become president and shall hold office for the balance of the term, before assuming their elected term as president. The vacancy in the office of president-elect shall be filled at the next General Membership meeting by the voting body. In the interim, the duties of the president-elect shall be delegated by the president.

b. If there is more than one nominee for any office, then the voting shall be by ballot. A majority of the votes cast shall constitute which nominees are elected. However, if there is but one nominee for office, election for that office may be by voice vote. If by ballot vote, the secretary shall be responsible for destroying all ballots at the end of the meeting.

c. When a ten (10) day notice of the election is given, a majority of votes cast shall constitute an election. Without such notice a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present shall be required.  
LIVE Panel Discussion
Saturday, August 22 from 10am - 12pm

Members of the special committee will discuss the most frequently asked questions and answer any new questions you may have as a valuable leader.

WATCH & CHAT on YouTube - no registration required.

**If you are unable to join us, you can watch the recording on our YouTube channel.**
VAPTA has provided several resource guideline communications to local units. As new and returning leaders are reconnecting and making plans, please find below links to previously provided information and guidance.

Brought to you by the Fall Back to Basics Committee of Virginia PTA

Donna Colombo, President, Virginia PTA
Pamela Croom, Chair, President-elect, Virginia PTA
Kathy Harrison, Treasurer, Virginia PTA
Scott Rhyne, VP Programs, Virginia PTA
Sara Case, Patriot District Director, Virginia PTA
Kirsten Shabanowitz, Hunt District Director, Virginia PTA
Joy Phillips, Eastern Shore District Director, Virginia PTA
Cherise Newsome, President, Norfolk Council PTA
Kerri Williams, President, Bedford County Council PTA
Kara Jenkins, President, Fairfax County Council PTA
Ben Pearson-Nelson, Chesterfield County Council PTA