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2012LegislativeHandbook

A Guide to Missouri PTA Advocacy, the ResolutionProcess and

National PTA Public Policy

Missouri PTA2101 W Burlington St, Columbia MO 65202

1-800-328-7330www.mopta.org

2012 Legislative Handbook 2

Missouri PTA Legislative Department

Vice President and DirectorDorothy Gardner

936 Manchester Rd.Liberty, MO 64068

[email protected]

State Legislative ChairmanLou Hibdon

8212 East 85th TerraceRaytown, MO 64138

[email protected]

Resolutions ChairmanAngel Davis

202 North 4th StreetNew Florence, MO 63363

[email protected]


Table of Contents

Missouri PTA Legislative Program 4Advocacy Is For All PTA Members 5MISSOURI PTA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2012 7

National PTA Public Policy 8Family Engagement in Education 8Opportunity and Equity for All Children 8Policy Issue Briefs 9Common Core State Standards Initiative 9

Advocacy at the local level 10PTA Council and Unit Presidents Legislative Responsibilities 10PTA Council/Unit Legislative Chair Responsibilities 10Active Advocacy 12Communicating with Legislators 13

MOPTA Town Hall Meetings 14Basic Information on Planning and Holding a 14MOPTA Town Hall Meeting 14Town Hall Meeting Goals 15Time Line for MOPTA Town Hall Meetings 17Local Event Location and Contact Information 20Town Hall Meeting Flyer 21Town Hall Meeting Sample Invitation 22Town Hall Time Line Check Off Sheet 23Town Hall Meeting Legislator Information Sheet 25

The Missouri PTA Resolutions Process 26Criteria for Submitting a Resolution to the Missouri State PTA 27Emergency Resolutions 28General Formatting Guidelines 29Glossary 29A Sample Resolution 30

Resources and forms 31Federal and State Resources 31Advocacy Through Legislation Award (AtLAW) 32

Individual Award 32Outstanding Unit/Council Award 35

Join JC/DC Member to Member Network 38Resolutions Convention Action Cover Sheet 39Missouri PTA Resolutions Handbook 40


Missouri PTA Legislative Program

PTA defines advocacy as the act of supporting and speaking on behalf of children and youth in the schools,in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affectingchildren. Advocacy stands alone as the most important job of the PTA.

For more than a century PTA has changed the lives of children and youth across our nation for the better—speaking with a unified voice on behalf of young people’s education, health, safety, and well-being. Timesand issues may have changed, but advocating for children and youth remains a critical responsibility of allPTA members.

Each PTA unit and each PTA council should have an active Legislative Chairman and Committee. If yourunit or council has not been involved in legislative activities in the past, there is no better time than now tostart. Missouri’s children and youth deserve your time and efforts as advocates for them. Yourrepresentative government needs to hear the issues and concerns for your child, the children in your school,the children across your district and the children across Missouri. We know for a fact that elected officialsstop and take notice when even ten or so letters, emails, or phone calls are received on any single issue.Imagine the effect we can have when we, the 70,000+ members of the Missouri PTA, work together on asingle issue.

Equally important to the work of communicating with our legislators is that of communicating with ourPTA members on legislation and ballot issues affecting children and youth. Copies of the Legislativepriorities may be requested from the Missouri PTA office or downloaded from the Missouri PTA website atwww.mopta.org. We ask that you obtain enough copies to distribute at unit meetings, council meetings, andschool board meetings. Permission is granted to reprint in newsletters as well.

The JC/DC Member-to-Member Network is the grassroots advocacy system that promotes direct contact byPTA members to members of the Missouri House and Senate, and in the case of National PTA, providesdirect contact by PTA members to members of the Congress.

When there is a federal or state PTA issue of high priority, National and Missouri PTA sends legislativeACTION ALERTS through the network, explaining the pending issue and asking members to contact theirpolicy makers. Because these Alerts are time-sensitive, they are issued by e-mail only. Therefore, yourcurrent e-mail address is needed. Each Alert contains all of the information you need to effectively advancePTA’s position. To find your Missouri elected officials see “Legislator Lookup” http://www.senate.mo.gov.

Determining the policy makers’ positions on PTA issues and forwarding this information to the NationalPTA’s Washington DC Office are equally important. Completing the Individual Reply form in each Alerthelps the Washington DC staff assess legislators’ support, determines which legislators may need to becontacted again, and gives a personal reference point when an office visit is made by our staff. If yourmessage is sent via e-mail through National PTA’s website, a copy is automatically sent to National PTA.Missouri PTA would appreciate feedback via e-mail messages to the state office, the Vice presidentDepartment of Legislation or the State Legislative chair.

As a MOPTA leader, you realize the priority and importance of being an advocate for children. Taking thetime to be connected to legislative issues that are important to the well-being of Missouri’s children iscritical. Encourage the members in your council and unit to sign up for these networks and to communicate


the positions of MOPTA and NPTA to their legislators. Together, we can make a difference in theeducational and family policies of our state and our nation.

In order to participate in the JC/DC Network, one must: Be a PTA Member. Respond to Legislative Action Alerts in a timely manner. Express the positions of MOPTA and NPTA, as set forth in the Alerts and based upon resolutions

and position statements. Provide feedback to the Missouri PTA office on state action alerts. Understand the legislative issues upon which action is requested.

To join the MOPTA “JC/DC Legislative Network” online, go to www.mopta.org and click on theLegislation tab. Click on “Sign Up for Legislative Alerts”. Send your name, title, address, email and phonein the space provided. You may also fill out the form, located in the Resources and forms section, and mail,fax or email to the Missouri PTA office.

Don’t forget to join the National PTA legislative network as well at www.pta.org. Click on the “PublicPolicy” tab, then click on “Join the Network Today” tab in the right column.

We encourage all PTA members across the state to participate in a Regional MOPTA Town Hall Meeting.Plans are being made to bring legislators and PTA members together in their own backyards to openlydiscuss issues concerning our public schools. Please mark your calendars and save the date. Moreinformation regarding the MOPTA Town Hall Meetings in your region is available on the MOPTA website(www.mopta.org) or through a member of the Missouri PTA Legislative Department.

We must not sit back and assume others will speak on behalf of our children and us. We must be active.Our children deserve our best efforts. Use your voice by Speaking Up …

Advocacy Is For All PTA Members

As a PTA member you should…

Believe that your voice matters!

Know, promote and be loyal to Missouri PTA Legislative Positions and Priorities.

Join the JC/DC Member-to-Member Legislative Network at www.mopta.org and www.pta.org andrespond to legislative alerts.

Attend training offered in a council School of Information, state Regional Conference, the MissouriPTA Convention in October or the spring Leadership Conference. Check out National PTA’s e-learning programs on the web at www.pta.org.

Keep informed of what is happening in Jefferson City through the local news, newspaper or the web(www.moga.mo.us - www.mopta.org).

Talk to district administrators to find out what issues are important at your local district level.


Contact your unit, council or state PTA Legislative Chairman for information on legislative issues.

Attend a Regional Town Hall Meeting in your region. The cost is free, the time is minimal, thebenefits to children and youth maximal (details at www.mopta.org).

Register to Vote!

Vote!


MISSOURI PTA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2012

Missouri PTA2101 Burlington St.

Columbia, MO 65202

Our Vision:“Every Child’sPotential is a Reality”

These legislative priorities are based on the issues that the Missouri PTALegislative Department expects to target for the 2012 legislative session. Asunexpected issues emerge, Missouri PTA will act in accordance with theresolution and position statements that have been approved by the membership.A complete list of resolutions and position statements are available on ourwebsite (www.mopta.org). Missouri PTA supports:

Legislation that protects and calls for local control of schools.

A constitutional amendment permitting passage of school bonds bymajority vote and raising the ceiling of indebtedness to 20%.

Legislation to increase funding for programs and services aimed atthe prevention of child abuse, neglect and maltreatment.

Opposition to tax credits or tax deductions for tuition paid by aparent or sponsors for nonpublic elementary or secondary schoolchildren.

Enforcement of legislation requiring school districts to have policiesthat promote increased parent involvement in their children’seducation.

Legislation and other efforts to restrict and reduce all types ofdistracted driving.

State funding for renovation and construction of essential schoolfacilities, and encouragement of local governments to seek out andapply for state and federal infrastructure grants to improve thesafety of routes to local schools.

Legislation that will maintain or generate local and state funding forpublic education.

Legislation and other efforts to cause class size reduction in MissouriSchools.

Legislation strengthening laws to limit and restrict projects thatresult in reduced funding to public education through tax incrementfinancing (TIF), urban redevelopment corporations and enterprisezones.

Missouri State PTA Office2101 Burlington StreetColumbia, MO. 65202

800-328-7330Dorothy Gardner, Vice President and Director Department of Legislation and

Advocacy, [email protected]


National PTA Public Policy

Founded in 1897, the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is comprised of more than five millionmembers, including parents, students, educators, school administrators, and community leaders. With morethan 25,000 local units, PTA flourishes in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands,and the Department of Defense schools in Europe and the Pacific.

As the oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy association in the United States, PTA’s legacy ofinfluencing federal policy to protect the education, health, and overall well-being of children has made anindelible impact in the lives of millions of children and families. PTA continues to be a voice for childrenwithin federal policy.

Each year National PTA publishes a public policy agenda that outlines policy priorities andrecommendations for Congress. The priorities are selected based on the following criteria: timeliness ofissue (is it being considered before Congress and the Administration), opportunities for National PTA toprovide leadership and expertise to Congress, alignment to National PTA’s mission and resolutions, andability to achieve a meaningful policy change that will produce positive results for children and theirfamilies.

In 2011, NPTA Public Policy Agenda focused on two policy priorities: Family engagement in education Opportunity and equality for all children

Family Engagement in Education

One of PTA’s founding principles is its dedication to engaging parents in the education of their children.Since the PTA’s inception, it has provided workshops and resources on child development to parent groupsand community leaders. In 1911, PTA advocated for a home education division within the U.S. Bureau ofEducation. Quite different from the present-day home schooling movement, home education was aninternational movement that encouraged parents to become knowledgeable on child development andeducation issues. The U.S Bureau of Education created the division and named the PTA president as itsdirector until 1919, when the division became a separate government agency. In recent years, PTA hasdeveloped the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships as well as assessment tools to measure thesuccess of these standards in schools.

Recognizing the importance of parent engagement in a child’s education, PTA has worked to ensure thatprovisions encouraging parental involvement were included in the 2001 reauthorization of the Elementaryand Secondary Education Act (ESEA), now known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). PTA looksforward to having the opportunity to strengthen parent involvement and family engagement in the upcomingreauthorizations of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA-NCLB) and the Individuals withDisabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Opportunity and Equity for All Children

From the outset, PTA has championed the importance of equal opportunity for all children, regardless ofsocioeconomic background, and addressed associated problems of child labor, childhood diseases, and theunfair and punitive treatment of children involved in the justice system. In the 1920s, PTA supported theestablishment of a new organization, the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, to providePTA services in states that maintained separate schools by ethnicity. PTA provided training and literature tothe newly established organization so that all parents could be advocates for their children. Theorganizations continued to work collaboratively until the groups formally merged in 1970.


PTA continues to advocate for all children to have the opportunity to grow and achieve success througheducation. To that end, PTA will advocate for adequate federal funding for schools and an improvedjuvenile justice system that ensures all children are college and career ready. As part of its 2011 PublicPolicy Agenda, PTA will advance its opportunity and equity platform with the reauthorization of theJuvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and federal appropriations, with a focus onParental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) and Section 1118 of Title I of ESEA, in an effort tosupport student achievement and family engagement.

For complete information regarding National PTA’s 2011 Public Policy Agenda please see the followinginternet link:

http://www.pta.org/public_policy_agenda.asp

Policy Issue BriefsNational PTA seeks to demonstrate the value and impact of family engagement on student success. TheBest Practices and Innovation Issue Briefs will help you reinforce that message when speaking withfederal and state policy makers and educational leaders in your states. The Federal Policy Issue Briefs areintended to educate PTA members and families about current federal laws within National PTA’s policypriorities.

To view National PTA’s public policies see the following Internet link:

http://www.pta.org/3463.asp

Common Core State Standards InitiativeThe Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) is an effort designed to improve educationaloutcomes for students by developing a set of common, voluntary, internationally-benchmarked academicstandards in mathematics and English language arts. For more details, check out the CCSSI overview athttp://www.pta.org/CCSSIsummary.pdf. (This overview is also available in Spanish athttp://www.pta.org/CCSSI-Overview2010_ES.pdf.)

The Parents' Guide to Student Success is Available!

National PTA® partnered with experts on the Common Core State Standards to create grade by gradeguides that reflect the standards adopted by more than 40 states. Individual guides were created for gradesK-8 and two were created for grades 9-12 (one for English language arts/literacy and one formathematics). Eleven guides were created in all.

Read and download the Parents' Guide to Student Success at http://www.pta.org/4446.htm

2012 Legislative Handbook10

Advocacy at the local level

PTA Council and Unit Presidents Legislative Responsibilities

Recruit a Legislative Chairperson. A Legislative Chairperson should not consider theirposition to be a “do-nothing” position on the executive committee. Through your ownenthusiasm for advocacy, you, as president, should find a Legislative Chair who, like yourself,wants to make things better for Missouri’s children. To be eligible for the Unit/Council AtLAWaward, the Legislative Chairperson’s name and contact information needs to be sent to theMOPTA office by Dec. 1, 2011.

Become familiar with the history of National PTA in advocating for children and youth.PTA was founded in 1897 for the purpose of advocating for children and youth. National PTAhas recently released the video, PTA Advocacy: A Legacy in Leadership for members to viewand share. This video can be downloaded and view from the National PTA website,www.pta.org, under the public policy tab. PTA has been able to accomplish great things viaadvocacy, and Unit and Council Presidents should use information about that history toencourage their entire units or councils to “Speak Up!” for children and youth as advocatesthrough legislation.

You are the Legislative Co-Chair. Join the JC/DC Legislative network to keep informed oflegislation affecting children and youth. Perform the job of Legislative Chair when the chair isunavailable. Attend training for advocacy and legislation (at Leadership Conference,Convention or online at www.pta.org). Accompany the Legislative Chairperson to legislativeevents such as a Missouri PTA Legislative Town Hall Meetings or help plan a Town HallMeeting in your region.

Lead by example. If you show passion for advocacy through legislation, so will your legislativechair as well as your council or unit. Missouri’s children and youth will reap the rewards of thatpassion.

PTA Council/Unit Legislative Chair Responsibilities

As a Council or Unit Legislative Chair, you have a wonderful responsibility. Realize, through yourleadership and guidance, your PTA Council or Unit can truly leave a legacy for Missouri’s children.By staying informed, keeping members informed, and taking action, your voice will make adifference with Missouri’s legislators. Feel free to contact the Missouri Legislative Chair or anymember of the state legislative committee for answers to questions or for additional assistance.

Here are some things you can do to make a difference in the lives of our children…

Learn by reading the Missouri PTA Legislative Handbook and by attending training offeredthrough schools of information, convention workshops, leadership conference and regionalconferences held throughout the year. National PTA offers e-learning courses on “EffectiveAdvocacy” and “Writing and Proposing PTA Resolutions” in the Leadership Resources sectionof the website, www.pta.org.

Join the JC/DC Member-to-Member Legislative Network.


Provide your membership with the names and contact information of your legislators at the stateand national levels.

Provide copies of the “Communicating with Legislators” and “Advocacy is for All PTAMembers” pages for each member.

Read your local newspaper for information on legislation. Information is also available atwww.house.state.mo.us and www.senate.state.mo.us.

Contact your legislators for information on bills.

Communicate with your superintendent to gather information on education legislation affectingyour school district.

Talk to local teachers’ associations in an effort to work with their legislative committee inreaching mutual legislative goals.

Check with your unit/council president to be sure you receive all pertinent materials sent by PTAon state and national legislation. Confirm with the MOPTA office the Legislative Chair’scontact information.

Invite legislators to speak regarding PTA priorities and concerns at a local legislative Town HallMeeting.

Report legislative activities at PTA meetings and write articles for PTA newsletters.

Build ongoing relationships with your legislators. Maintain these relationships throughout thelegislative session. Remember, it is easier to ask for something from a friend than from astranger. It is also easier if you don’t only call when you need something.

Show appreciation to those legislators who support PTA positions.


Active Advocacy

LOBBYINGThe Do’s & Don’ts

LOBBYING and legislative activities are important duties of every PTA/PTSA Council and Unit.Federal regulations support these activities for non-profit 501(c)(3) groups and give very specificguidelines as to what non-profit groups can and cannot do regarding lobbying and legislativeprograms.

$$$ - Lobbying cannot use more than 5% of the organization’s annual resources. This includes bothtime and effort spent by both staff and volunteers. It also means that lobbying may not be theprimary goal of an organization. Keep good records of time and money spent. If you get audited,your organization must prove that you didn’t violate the law.

POLITICS – Partisan politics are not allowed at all! Support for or opposition to a candidate foroffice or a political party is also not allowed! Failure to follow these rules can result in yourorganization losing its tax-exempt status.

Do’s…

• PTAs should support issues that are good for children and youth. PTA should oppose issuesthat are bad for children and youth. That includes state and national legislation, as well as locallaws and school district policies. PTA can and should take a stand on bond and levy issues.

• PTAs can sponsor public forums, lectures and debates that have invited ALL candidates toparticipate. The PTA should not discuss its views or comment on the views of the candidate.

• PTAs can conduct voter registrations. The registration must be open to anyone, regardless ofwhich party or candidates they want to vote for after registering.

• PTAs can send out questionnaires to all candidates asking in an unbiased way for theirpositions on issues. The results must be reported accurately and without editorial comment.

Don’ts…• PTAs do not support or oppose in any way a candidate for public office – any public office.This includes making written or spoken statements, providing financial assistance or othersupport (mailing lists, volunteer time, distributing campaign literature, etc.). Be concerned withappearance – “How will this look?”

• PTAs cannot establish or support a political action committee (PAC) that supports candidates.

• PTAs cannot rate candidates in any fashion, for example, pro-child or anti-public educationwith a number, letter or any other type of rating that shows a preference toward a candidate. PTAcannot conduct research or analysis for a candidate or party. PTA membership lists or labels arefor PTA and are not to be given out to politicians.

Do not let the “Don’ts” deter your council or unit. It is our job to work towards our purpose ofcreating a better community for our children. PTA has been doing this for over 100 years, andcontinues advocating for children’s welfare yearly. DO get your Council or Unit involved in thelegislative process! Be the one to bring advocacy to your Unit or Council!


Communicating with Legislators

Legislators need to hear from you in order to vote on your behalf. Unless they hear fromconstituents, legislators may vote their party line or in line with their personal beliefs. There areseveral ways that MOPTA recommends you communicate with your representatives and senators.

Personal LettersLegislators receive many letters every day. Keep in mind:

Keep letters brief, clear, and concise. State the bill you are addressing by number or popular name. Make sure you state why you want the bill supported or opposed. Properly address and write your letter to the best of your ability. Have another person proofread your letter before you send it.

FaxesFaxes are as equally effective as personally letters, but not all legislators have fax numbers. Inwriting fax messages, follow the same rules as with letters.

E-MailEmails should contain the basics of effective, professional letter writing. Do not use abbreviations,trendy letter combinations or symbols to make your message heard. Have another person proofreadyour letter before you send it. Use spell check if available, and copy others that need or want to bekept informed of the situation. If a legislator wants to print your email, you want a document thatwill get the respect it deserves.

Personal VisitsMeeting in person to discuss a particular bill or issue is the BEST way to influence your legislator.Keep these things in mind:

Make an appointment ahead of time and arrive promptly. Make sure your legislator knows you are speaking on behalf of the PTA. You also need to

remember you are speaking for PTA. Use “we,” not “I.” Bring copies of the currentMOPTA Legislative Priorities flyer.

Always be respectful in your tone and language. Present yourself in a professional manner – business casual is acceptable. Be reasonable in presenting your position(s). Be a good opponent by fighting the issue, not

the person. Present the facts and reasons why your PTA is involved in the issue. Use the art of compromise – offer possible alternatives. Thank your Legislator for their time and interest.

Anonymous communications are not read. Don’t forget to include your name and title,address, phone number and email address on all forms of communication.


MOPTA Town Hall MeetingsPTA’s Connection to Jefferson City

Advocacy – a process by which a person attempts to affect or influence someone else’s behavior orattitudes to reach a goal. PTA is a grassroots advocacy group started in 1897. Since the verybeginning, PTA members have been working together to improve the lives of our children. Todaywe continue this legacy by developing a relationship with our legislators and being informed citizenswho work to inform those decision makers about the issues we hold dear to our hearts – those issuespertaining to our children.

One of the most productive ways to begin building a relationship between legislators and PTAmembers is to host a MOPTA Town Hall Meeting. Legislators appreciate the opportunity to meetwith constituents, and your PTA members and local citizens will see advocacy in action. We trulycan make a difference when we stand together.

Basic Information on Planning and Holding a

MOPTA Town Hall Meeting

Please utilize the timetable, check off sheet and Legislator information sheet that have beenprovided. They will be a good tools to help your group get through the organization of your TownHall Meeting.

Dates: Please find a date that does not conflict with school activities – you want every person inyour area to be able to attend. Make sure the date is available with a representative from MOPTA –contact the State Legislative Chairperson before officially setting a date. The State LegislativeChairperson will help guide you through the planning of your Town Hall Meeting.

Location: Make sure the facility is centrally located and large enough to handle a sizeable group ofpeople. There needs to be adequate seating, a sound system and refreshments available. The TownHall Meeting will last 60 – 90 minutes.

Contacts: Please refer to the timetable provided to explain who/when to contact. It is veryimportant to follow this guideline throughout the process. You will be in contact with the MOPTAState Legislative Chairperson throughout this process. Be sure that your contact information is onhand at the MOPTA office and through the State Legislative Chairperson.

Moderator: The moderator will be provided by MOPTA, and we will not allow abuse of yourlegislators! MOPTA is bi-partisan, and we cannot comment on issues that are not approved asLegislative Priorities. The legislators will be provided a list of questions to be covered at the TownHall Meeting along with their invitation from MOPTA. This forum is not intended to be a debate,and only issues concerning Missouri’s children will be addressed. If a moderator is not availablefrom the MOPTA Board of Managers, you will be notified as soon as possible. Have someone inmind that can strongly lead and control a meeting of this nature.

Arrangements: A greeter is helpful to meet guests and legislators at the door. This person canhand out copies of the questions that the legislators will be asked, the MOPTA Legislative Prioritiesflyer, name-tags, and any other printed material. A large table for legislators to sit at needs to beavailable along with bottled water for each legislator. Large name signs will need to be made foreach legislator and others who will be sitting at the table. MOPTA will provide you with a template


for the name signs. Bottled water is more important than other snacks. Your council or unithospitality committee can make these arrangements. Your PTA Council President or LegislativeChairperson should be prepared to introduce MOPTA representatives, legislators, schooladministrators, school board members and other community leaders.

Know the name, district # and hometown of each legislator, name and title of any MOPTA

representatives and school district officials that may be attending. Also acknowledge any

other educational groups who are co-sponsoring or attending your meeting.

Publicity: MOPTA will provide an official flier for your event once all the information(date/time/place) is received. Please feel free to send this home with students, put into unit/councilnewsletters and post at schools or other public places that are appropriate. A pre- Town HallMeeting press release will be distributed by the state Public Relations Chair. Please make sure toprovide the state Legislative Chair with names and contact information for your local media outlets.A post-Town Hall Meeting press release will also be available for you – just fill in the highlightedareas and forward to media outlets. Check with your school district’s Public Information Office formedia contact information. Press releases are a great way to get your information out to the public.

As you are publicizing your Town Hall, don’t forget the importance of getting the word out toSchool Boards, Principals and Administration as well as local Educators.

Send out the Town Hall questions to Teachers. They can share them with their students. The TownHall is a great avenue to get students involved in the Legislative process. Teachers may even chooseto give extra credit to students who attend and participate in a Town Hall.

Please remember to send out a thank you note to each legislator that attends within a few weeks afteryour Town Hall Meeting. MOPTA will also be sending out the same.

Finally, thank you for taking the time and effort to represent the children of Missouri. This event isjust one way we can make a difference in the lives of children- please thank everyone involved inyour Town Hall Meeting for their hard work and dedication!

Town Hall Meeting Goals

1. To provide a forum for PTA to communicate face to face with legislators in order to

emphasize MOPTA Legislative Priorities.

2. To allow legislators to respond to PTA questions and communicate their stand on MOPTA

Legislative Priorities and bills relating to these priorities.

3. To communicate to the community that PTA is focused on and serious about advocacy for

children.

In order to meet these goals, MOPTA and the local sponsoring unit or council will strive to:

Goal #1 Objectives Formally invite and personally communicate with each legislator representing a particular

area the importance of the Town Hall Meeting.

Ensure that at least 2 MOPTA representatives are present at the event.


Ensure PTA member representations from each local unit/council residing in the

legislator’s district are present at the event.

To provide to the legislators the written MOPTA Legislative Priorities Fliers and the

Town Hall Meeting questions before and during the event.

Goal #2 Objectives Provide enough time for each legislator present to clearly answer questions.

State Legislative Chairman will communicate with the legislator before the event

concerning any bills that may be pertinent to MOPTA Legislative Priorities.

Attain from any legislators who are not able to attend the event a written response to the

MOPTA Town Hall Meeting Questions.

Goal #3 Objectives Include and notify other community organizations of the event.

Publicize the event through local avenues.

To provide to the community the written MOPTA Legislative Flier.

Provide the opportunity for the community to sign up for the JC/DC Network.

If time allows, afford the attendees the opportunity to ask questions and speak with

Legislators on issues concerning education and child welfare issues after the event.


Time Line for MOPTA Town Hall Meetings

Six to Eight Weeks Before the Town Hall Meeting Contact your MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson to arrange the date, time, and location

for your Town Hall Meeting. The Chairperson will make sure there is not a conflict withanother Town Hall Meeting and will arrange for a member of the Board of Managers to bethere to act as moderator for the event.

Your Town Hall Meeting organizer’s contact information needs to be on file with the

MOPTA office and the State Legislative Chairperson. This should include name, title,

address, home phone, cell phone and email address.

Town Hall Meetings can be held before the legislative session begins, on a day they are not

in session, or on an evening they won’t be returning to session the next day. January 4, 2012,

is the first day of session. Legislators are in session Monday through Thursday morning.

Suggested months for Town Hall Meetings are November, early December, March and April.

Have a centrally located place arranged for the Town Hall Meeting. A local school or central

office is usually a good place. Keep in mind the forum will last from 60 to 90 minutes. Send

address, directions, and map to the MOPTA Legislative Chairperson to be included in the

invitations.

Call Legislators office to invite them. Ask their preference for sending an invitation by mail

or e-mail and what address to send it.

Send out a “Save the Date” to your local Community by e-mail or otherwise once Town Hall

is confirmed.

Invite other educational groups in the area to help co-sponsor or attend the forum.

Five to Six Weeks Before the Town Hall Meeting The list of those that you want to invite to your Town Hall Meeting needs to be sent to the

MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson with the name with correct spelling, title, district

number if applicable. The State Legislative Chairman is not responsible for double checking

to see if the correct person is invited.

The MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson will send official invitations to the legislators.

Included in this invitation will be the Town Hall Meeting Questions, the Legislative Priorities

flier, and details about the event including the date, location, directions, map, local contact

person and information, and MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson’s contact information.

We want our legislators to be aware of the issues we have chosen to highlight this year. We

will ask those legislators not able to attend to answer the questions and return them to our

MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson.

Be aware of what legislative districts your Town Hall Meeting will include – legislators will

be more willing to attend if they know constituents from their districts will be attending.

Make sure the Town Hall Meeting information is submitted to your local school newsletters

and websites.

Send all email information for the media outlets you want to be notified to the State

Legislative Chairperson.

Request from the State Legislative Chairperson an official flier from MOPTA concerning

your Town Hall Meeting.


Four Weeks Before the Town Hall Meeting Invitations need to be sent out from your Town Hall Meeting Organizer to those legislators

invited by MOPTA. A personal note reiterating the information sent from the Legislative

Chairperson should be included along with the Town Hall Meeting questions, the Legislative

Priorities flier, and details about the event including the date, location, directions, map, local

contact person and information, and MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson’s contact

information. We want our legislators to be aware of the issues we have chosen to highlight

this year. We will ask those legislators not able to attend to answer the questions and return

them to our MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson.

Personally call the Legislator’s office to confirm they have received invitations, Town Hall

Meeting questions and the MOPTA Legislative Priorities.

Past experiences show that sometime the legislators either do not receive the MOPTA

invitation or it is put aside, so the more contact we have with them the better chance we have

of encouraging them to attend. If they did not receive the MOPTA invitation, please let

MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson know as soon as possible.

Firm up plans with the host school/office. Arrangements for the sound system, name tags,

tables & chairs, and refreshments need to be confirmed.

Send the questions and MOPTA Legislative Priorities out to your local teachers. They may

choice to discuss these with their students and provide class credit for students who attend

and participate in the Town Hall.

Send out invitations to school board members and educators in your area.

Confirm with the MOPTA Legislative Chairperson the name of the person who will be

moderating your Town Hall Meeting.

Keep in contact with MOPTA Legislative Chairperson so both sides know which

legislators have accepted the invitation. It is not unusual for the legislator’s office to

decline early on but to accept the invitation after your personal note and/or phone calls from

constituents.

Two to Three Weeks Before the Town Hall Meeting Arrange for constituents from each legislative district represented at your Town Hall Meeting

to make phone calls to their legislators to encourage them to attend the Town Hall Meeting.

If they have agreed to come then thank them, and if they aren’t able to make it, thank them

for considering being a part of this event which is being held statewide. Also encourage

them to answer the Town Hall Meeting questions that were sent with the invitation from

MOPTA. These need to be sent to MOPTA State Legislative Chairperson.

Request press releases written by MOPTA Public Relations Chair for your Town Hall

Meeting. Give names of all legislators who are invited, the ones that have RSVP’d, the time,

date and location.

The MOPTA Legislative Chairperson will let you know of any contact made with legislators

and will need you to do the same.


Make copies of the Town Hall Questions and Legislative Priorities flyer if you don’t already

have them.

One Week Before the Town Hall Meeting Call all legislators that have been invited. Ask if the legislator has any special needs, requests, or questions. Confirm the date, time and

location.

Confirm that other arrangements such as the location, sound system, name tags, tables and

chairs and refreshments are in place.

Acquire a single pack of 3 x 5” index cards for audience questions.

The Day of the Town Hall Meeting Arrive at the location 1 hour before the event time to ensure that everything is in place.

Bring the copies of the Town Hall Questions, the MOPTA Legislative Priorities flyer, the

large name signs for the panel, and the 3x5” index cards.

Be available to greet legislators and other guests.

Be available to solve unforeseen problems.

One Week After the Town Hall Meeting Send a thank you note to each legislator who attended your Town Hall Meeting as well as the

moderator and any organizations that attended or co-sponsored the event. The MOPTA StateLegislative Chairperson will do the same.

Remember to thank all those who helped with this event at the local level.


Local Event Location and Contact Information

Missouri Legislative Town Hall Meeting Information to be submitted to MOPTA

Sponsoring Council/Unit________________________________________________________

Date _________________________________ Time ________________________________

Location _____________________________________________________________________

Address of location ____________________________________________________________

Legislative Organizer Contact: Name ______________________________________________

Title _______________________ E-mail ___________________________________________

Home Phone __________________________ Cell ___________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________


Town Hall Meeting Flyer


Columbia, MO 65202

Missouri PTA is helping toadvocate for all Students

By bringing your representative governmentto YOU!

Missouri PTA LegislativeTown Hall Meeting 2012

Speaking up as we areimaging our children’s future together.

All parents, teachers, administrators, studentsand community members are invited.

For more than a century PTA has changed the lives ofchildren and youth for the better -

Speaking with unified voiceson behalf of young people’s education,

health & safety and well being.

Times and issues have changed,but advocating for children and youth

remains a critical responsibility of all PTA members

Let your voices be heard!

Make plans to join the Missouri PTA, your local PTACouncil and your elected officials in your own “backyard”

For more information go to: www.mopta.orgor contact your local PTA Council.


Town Hall Meeting Sample Invitation


Columbia, MO 65202

Senator Claire McCaskill324 Park Central West, Ste. 101Springfield, Missouri 65806

November 3, 2011

Dear Senator McCaskill,

On behalf of Missouri State PTA and its approximately 65,000 members statewide, I

would like to invite you to attend the 2011 Missouri PTA Town Hall Meeting sponsored

by the Springfield Council of PTA’s and co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

PTA has a successful history in advocating for children locally and nationally, and we

look forward to discussing with you current issues affecting our children. It is our

sincere wish that you would make plans now to attend. The Town Hall Meeting will be

held on Thursday, December 7th at 9:15 a.m. at McBride Elementary, 5005 South Farm

Road 135, Springfield, MO 65810. Please RSVP by emailing Lou Hibdon, State

Legislative Chairman, Missouri PTA at [email protected] or notifying the Missouri State

PTA office by phone at 1-800-328-7330.

All legislators in your area are being given an equal opportunity to participate in thisrally, and we believe that some of these issues need our immediate focus andattention. As part of our efforts to support and to speak on behalf of children andyouth, Missouri PTA has developed legislative “priorities” and “positions” we areimportant to the future of our children. The enclosed 2012 Legislative Priorities arebased on democratically adopted resolutions and position statements by Missouri PTAdelegates at our annual convention and from legislative directives adopted by theNational PTA. We have also included a list of the questions that will be asked from thepodium to the legislators. If you are not able to attend, your written response to thesequestions will be read at the meeting.

Just as children do not identify themselves as Republican, Democrat or Independent,these “priorities” and “positions” are non-partisan. We believe 2012 will be a goodyear for legislative policies to be put in place that will benefit young people’seducation, health, safety and well-being. We urge you to help us build betterlegislative policies that benefit the children and youth of this state.

It may be necessary to limit the amount of time spent on each issue. A moderator willbe present to monitor time and to direct the questioning, including additionalquestions from the attendees as time permits. Thank you for your consideration of ourviews, and we look forward to meeting you at the 2011-2012 Town Hall Meeting andworking with you and your staff during the coming year.

Sincerely,

Lou HibdonState Legislative ChairmanMissouri PTA816-824-5900


Town Hall Time Line Check Off SheetAn Electronic version of this form can be downloaded from the member’s only section of thewebsite www.mopta.org or by request from the Legislation and Advocacy Department.

X Date 6 to 8 Weeks Before Comments/Plans to Accomplish

Contact State Legislative Chairman to arrange for thedate, time and location for Town Hall.

Make sure Town Hall Meeting Organizer’s requiredcontact information has been is given to the State

Legislative Chairman.

Call Legislators office to Invite them. Ask theirpreference for sending an invitation. E-mail or mail

and what address to send it.

Send out a “Save the Date” to your local Community bye-mail or otherwise once Town Hall is confirmed.


Send list of Legislators to invite to State LegislativeChairman with all pertinent information needed.

Make sure the Town Hall Meeting information issubmitted to your local school newsletters/ websites.

Send all e-mail information for the Media Outlets youwant to be notified to State Legislative Chairman.

Request an official MOPTA Town Hall flier from theState Legislative Chairman.

X Date 4 Weeks Before Comments/Plans to Accomplish

Personally contact the Legislators that have receivedinvitations from Missouri PTA.

Firm up plans with the host location arrangements forthe sound system name tags, tables & chairs,and refreshments need to be confirmed.

Send Invite to Local School Board and Educators inthe area. Encourage Student involvement.

Confirm with MO PTA Legislative Chairman themoderator your Town Hall Meeting.

Keep in contact with the MOPTA LegislativeChairperson so both sides know which legislators have

accepted the invitation.



Contact Constituents to make phone calls toLegislators. Encourage them to attend.

Request Press Release from MOPTA Public RelationsChair. Let them know who has been invited and

RSVP’d.

Make copies of Town Hall questions and LegislativePriorities flyers.

Send Town Hall questions to interested Educators.Suggest extra credit offered for Students attending.

X Date 1 Week Before Comments/Plans to Accomplish

Call Legislators, ask if any special needs, requests orquestions. Confirm the date, time and location.

Finalize arrangements for location, sound system,name tags, table/ chairs and refreshments are in place.

Acquire a single pack of 3 x 5 index cards for audiencequestions.

X Date Day of Town Hall Comments/Plans to Accomplish

Arrive at location 1 hour in advance to ensureeverything in place.

Bring copies of Town Hall questions, LegislativePriorities and JC/DC forms.

Be available to greet Legislators and other guests.

X Date One Week After Comments/Plans to Accomplish

Send a thank you note to each Legislator whoattended, the moderator and any others organizations

that attended or co-sponsored.

Remember to thank all those who helped on the locallevel.


Town Hall Meeting Legislator Information Sheet

An electronic excel file of this information sheet can be downloaded from the member’s only sectionof the MOPTA webpage at www.mopta.org or by request from the Legislation and AdvocacyDepartment.

TownHall: Date:

Legislator District Capital Address Phone Notes

LegislativeAssistant Email District Address Phone










The Missouri PTA Resolutions Process

The beginning of our PTA Mission reads: “To support and speak on behalf of children andyouth in schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizationsthat make decisions affecting children.” One of our PTA Purposes reads: “To secureadequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.” These two statements areat the heart of what PTA advocates have been doing for over 100 years. They give us a cleardirection and guideline for why we have a Resolutions Program.

What role do resolutions play in developing the Missouri PTA legislative platform?Resolutions form the foundation for all Missouri PTA positions and legislative priorities.Our legislative platform is based on the adopted resolutions from convention and programsare designed to address the issues stated by those adopted resolutions. The resolution processgives us direction to make our world a safer, brighter one for all Missouri children and youth.

The development of resolutions is a project that all PTA members, units, and councils shouldtake seriously and become actively involved in. If there is an issue that you, your unit, oryour council are concerned about and needs to be addressed by a resolution on behalf of allMissouri’s children, it is incumbent upon you to take action. This section is intended toprovide you with the assistance and guidance you need to start and complete that process.

Please, take time to discuss with your board, your unit or council, teachers and principals theissues that may need to be addressed. If you need help getting started, contact the StateResolutions Chairman, Angel Davis at [email protected].

RESOLUTIONS

REQUEST FOR ACTION

A resolution is a main motion introducing a new subject and, therefore, may be debated andamended. It is written in a certain form because of its length or its importance. A resolutionis a proposal that something is done, or that something is the wish, opinion or sense of theassembly.

Convention resolutions call for action by the Missouri PTA or its constituent bodies (councilsor local units). Resolutions seek to address problems, situations or concerns which affectchildren and youth statewide and which require statewide action to be resolved. It must notpropose action contrary to the laws of a city, county or state where enacted.

Local units, councils, districts or the State Resolutions Committee may submit resolutions forconsideration by the Missouri PTA convention body. The voting body of the submittinggroup must have adopted the resolution. At convention, after the motion is on the floor, amember of the submitting group must be present to speak in support of the motion.

It is imperative the Resolutions Committee take advantage of all existing resources.Additional information on resolutions can be found in the National PTA Handbook and theMissouri PTA Resolutions Handbook. Another source of information and assistance is theState Resolutions Chairman whose name, address and phone number are listed on page twoof this publication. Please feel free to contact this chairman any time. It would be to your


advantage to consider sending an early first draft of your work as revisions may be proposed.Consider sending the final draft and all required materials by certified mail.

WHEN PLANNING A RESOLUTION, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWINGCAREFULLY

1. Has the subject matter been addressed previously?2. Can the subject matter be addressed appropriately in resolution form?3. Is the subject matter pertinent? Will it receive broad-based support?4. Can the subject matter be documented?5. Can the resolution be implemented?6. Does the proposed resolution comply with each of the procedures as set forth in this

material?

Criteria for Submitting a Resolution to the Missouri State PTA

To qualify for consideration by the Missouri State Resolutions Committee, allresolutions MUST meet all of the following criteria:

1. Concern a field of interest of the Missouri Congress of Parents and Teachers;2. Be in harmony with the purposes and basic policies of the National Congress of Parents

and Teachers but does not cite these purposes and basic policies in the whereas clauses;3. Concern a matter that is statewide in scope and requires statewide action for solution;4. State a position not previously adopted by the MOPTA or the NPTA;5. Include possible methods of implementation for the action called for;6. Be written in language appropriate for consideration by MOPTA convention delegates,

i.e., “Be it resolved that the Missouri Congress of Parents and Teachers (Missouri PTA)shall…”;

7. Completed Convention Action Cover sheet must be signed accordingly;8. Contains a summary, no more than 150 words, that captures the intent and scope of the

resolution;9. Includes three (3) current background references for each whereas with the appropriate

information enclosed in brackets and labeled as to the appropriate whereas;10. Background references are factual, verifiable and statewide in scope, published no more

than six years ago – PTA sources cannot be used for background references;11. Have each “whereas” and “resolve” sectioned individually with the background and

implementation material;12. Include a table of contents and reference sheet.

Five hard copies and an electronic copy of each of the resolution, rationale, support data,Convention Action Cover Sheet and method of implementation must be submitted for use bythe committee to the state office and postmarked no later than February 15.

A representative of the submitting body must be present at the State Convention duringresolutions briefing and when the assembly debates the resolutions.

Any printed material brought to Convention by the submitting body to be passed out todelegates must be approved by the president of Missouri PTA. Copies must be sent to theState Resolution Chairman by September 15.


It is strongly recommended that the originating body: Submit a first draft of the resolution to the State Resolutions Chairman Send the final draft and all required materials by certified mail to the State Resolutions

Chairman..

After the Resolution is Submitted to the MOPTA

The resolutions committee strictly adheres to the above criteria. The committee may edit oradapt resolutions if necessary; substantive changes can only be made with the consent of thesubmitting group. The committee meets in the spring to consider for approval proposedresolutions. The Resolutions Chairman will acknowledge that each resolution has beenreceived, and will notify all who submitted resolutions of the action taken on theirsubmission within one week of the meeting of the resolutions committee. Resolutionsapproved by the Resolutions Committee are presented to the State Executive Committee, andif approved, are presented to the Board of Managers for approval. Again, the StateResolutions Chairman will notify those that submitted resolutions on the decision of theBoard of Managers within one week of the decision.

The approved resolutions are then presented to the State Convention Delegates forconsideration of approval during the General Sessions at State convention. If a resolution isapproved by the state board a representative of the submitting body must be present at theState Convention during the resolutions briefing and when the assembly debates theresolutions.

Any printed material brought to Convention by the submitting body to be handed out todelegates must be approved by the president of Missouri PTA. Copies must be sent to theState Chairman postmarked by September 15.

Adopted resolutions become an official stance of the Missouri PTA. Adopted resolutions areplaced in the State PTA Resolutions Handbook and the Missouri PTA website(www.mopta.org). All resolutions are reviewed every five years to determine if they are stillrelevant and useable.

A Resolution Consists of Two Main Parts

A PREAMBLE (or the Whereas clauses) and a RQUEST FOR ACTION (or the Resolvedclauses). The “whereas” portion contains the background information and the reason for theresolution. The “resolved” portion contains the request for action and each action requestedshould have its own resolve clause.

Emergency Resolutions

A resolution is an emergency only if the urgency of the subject matter has arisen after theFebruary 15 deadline and requires immediate attention. The resolution must be received bythe State Resolution Chairman at least one week prior to the opening of Convention and mustmeet the criteria for submitting resolutions.

If the resolution is determined to be of emergency status by the Missouri PTA Board ofManagers, it will then be brought to the convention floor where accredited voting delegates,


by a two-thirds vote, will make the final determination concerning the resolution’semergency status. The submitting body must furnish 300 copies of the resolution forconvention delegates.

General Formatting Guidelines

1. All resolutions should be titled.2. The first “Whereas” should precisely outline the scope of the concern.3. Each “Whereas” should be a single idea, with “building” of the resolution in logical

sequence.4. Each “Whereas” should support the first and add strength as to why this is important

and deserves the support of Missouri PTA.5. Each “Resolve” portion should logically follow the “Whereas” portions.6. Each “Resolve” should call for only one action.7. “Resolves” should progress in the same order as the “Whereas” section.

GlossaryACTIVE RESOLUTION: A formal PTA position on important and relevant issues. A PTA must

have a resolution in order to speak on behalf of an issue.

IMPLEMENTATION: A written action plan based upon information and/or instructionscontained in the RESOLVE portion of a resoltuion. This plan isrequired when submitting a resolution.

POSITION STATEMENT: An opinion on an issue that is either debeloped by or submitted to theMissouri PTA board of managers. Position statements are conciseand to the point, not requiring the WHEREAS and RESOLVEDparagraphs as in resolutions.

PREAMBLE: The WHEREAS clause(s).

PRESENTERS: Those persons designated by submitters to be present at conventionand share information with delegates at the resolutions briefing andduring debate.

RESOLUTION BRIEFING: A convention activity where presenters share with delegatesinformation concerning proposed resolutions.

RESOLVE: That portion of a resolution that follow the WHEREAS portion andrequests action.

RETIRED RESOLUTION: A resolution that is retained but not of current focus. A RETIREDRESOLUTION may be reactivated if the topic becomes relevantagain.

RQUEST FOR ACTION: The RESOLVED clause(s).

SUBMITTERS: Units and/or councils that submit resolutions to the State Committeefor consideration by delegates to convention.

SUPPORT DATA: A written document that substantiates the WHEREAS and RESOLVEportions of a resolution. This material will indicates that the subjectmatter has been well researched and is required when submitting aresolution.

WHEREAS: That portion of a resolution that contains the background informationand the reason for the resolution.


A Sample Resolution

The following is a sample resolution, showing the correct structure, punctuation, and form tohelp get you started. For additional information and help, refer to the current edition of Robert’sRules of Order, Newly Revised.

Whereas, The Missouri Congress of Parents and Teachers (Missouri PTA) will meet at itsannual convention in October 2011 in Columbia, MO; and

Whereas, The portion of a resolution comprising the phrases starting with the word“Whereas” is known as the preamble of the resolution; and

Whereas, The preamble includes statements of fact or background relating to the reasons forthe action proposed in the “Resolved” clauses or information that is not commonknowledge or that may be overlooked if not stated; and

Whereas, The action taken on a resolution is action only on the motion contained in the“Resolved” clauses; now therefore be it

Resolved, That any resolutions that are proposed for consideration by convention delegatesbe received in the Missouri PTA state office no later than May 1; and be it further

Resolved, That it be directed that resolutions submitted to Missouri PTA for considerationshall follow this sample resolution in structure, punctuation, and form; and be itfurther

Resolved, That such resolutions meeting all established criteria be presented to conventiondelegates for consideration at said convention.

Adapted from National PTA Annual Resources


Resources and forms

Federal and State Resources

Missouri State PTA – Legislative tab www.mopta.orgNational PTA – Public policy tab www.pta.orgMissouri General assembly www.moga.mo.gov

To Contact Members of Congress and the President of the United States to expressyour point of view, call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or the WhiteHouse Comment Line at (202) 456-1111.

To Inquire about the Status of a Bill in either the House or Senate call (202) 225-1772.

Daily Recorded Messages of Floor Proceedings in each chamber are provided by boththe Democrats and Republicans every day they are in session. The numbers for theserecordings are:

Senate Democrats – (202) 224-8541 Senate Republicans – (202) 224-8601 House Democrats – (202) 225-7400 House Republicans – (202) 225-7430

Copies of Senate Bills are available by contacting the Senate Document Room, HartSenate Office Building, Room B-04, Washington, DC 20510

Or by phone at (202) 224-7860 (information only; phone orders are not accepted).

Copies of House Bills are available by contacting The Legislative Resource Center,B106 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515-6612 or by phone at(202) 226-5200 (phone orders accepted).

Bills may also be obtained at: http://thomas.loc.gov. A wealth of other usefulinformation is also available on this website.

Government Guides and Informational Pamphlets are published by the GovernmentPrinting Office (GPO). To inquire about what types of publications are available andto order, call (866) 512-1800. To inquire about or order congressional documents,call GPO’s Congressional Sales Desk at (866) 512-1800.

The Department of Education is the federal agency charged with oversight for themajority of federal education related programs and can be reached at (800) USA-LEARN.


Missouri PTAAdvocacy Through Legislation Award (AtLAW)

Individual Award

In the more than one hundred years since its founding, the heart of PTA has been advocacy forchildren and youth, and the heart of that advocacy has been legislation. Indeed, historically,much of the legislation protecting the health, education and well being of children and youthowes its existence to PTA as an initiating or driving force.

The need for advocacy through legislation continues, as our young people are more at risk thanever before. So many Missouri children live in poverty and/or broken homes without healthinsurance or adequate healthcare and face daily a violent world and a peer culture that does notalways value learning or understand that educational achievement is a key factor to success inlife. They need advocates, people who care about them, people who will speak for them.

The Advocacy through Legislation Award (AtLAW) is offered by Missouri PTA to: (1) giveMissouri PTA members who champion the issues of children some of the recognition theydeserve, and (2) encourage other members to step forward as caring voices for children.Missouri PTA members earning this prestigious award will be recognized at Convention with acertificate and a special lapel pin to identify the awardee as an advocate for children in the fullestand best sense of the word.

To earn the Missouri PTA Advocacy through Legislation Award, members must fulfill Part Aand earn a minimum number of points in each of the three sections in Part B. The completedapplication form with supporting documentation (newsletters, programs, minutes, letters, copiesof e-mails) must be to the MOPTA office and postmarked on or before September 1, 2012

Send to: Missouri PTA Office2101 Burlington Street

Columbia, MO 65202-1945


Missouri PTAAdvocacy through Legislation (AtLAW)

Individual Award

Name ________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________

City ______________________________ Zip ___________ Phone________________

Email_____________________________

Council or Unit____________________________________ Region_______________

Part AActively participated in the JC/DC Member to Member Network. ☐ This is a mandatory requirement for eligibility.

Part BAttend Training throughout the Year

Points Total

2011 Missouri PTA Convention 25 pts

2012 National PTA Convention 25 pts

Missouri PTA Advocacy Training 15 pts

School of Information/Regional Conference 5 pts

Leadership Conference 15 pts

National Advocacy Training 15 pts

National Advocacy E-learning (provide copy of certificate) 5 pts

National Resolution E-learning (provide copy of certificate) 5 pts

Attended a Resolution Briefing 5 pts

Total number of points earned (minimum total required 45pts)

Inform Others on Legislative IssuesPoints Total

Serve as Unit/Council Legislative Chair 10 pts

Total number of articles included in newsletters (include copies of newsletter) x5 pts

Total number of letters to the editor (include copies of published letters) x5 pts

Give a legislative report at PTA meeting (include copy of meeting minutes) x5 pts

Total number of phone calls to elected officials* since end of 2011 ConventionDate_____________ Elected official_____________________Date_____________ Elected official_____________________ x10 pts

Writing letters to elected officials.* Total numbers letters/postcards since end of 2011Convention (include copies of letter/postcards) x10 pts

Communications from elected officials* pertaining to PTA issues and sent to theLegislative Department since end of 2011 Convention (copy of letter, e-mail or othercorrespondence or notes from phone conversation) x5 pts

Total number of points earned (minimum total required 100 pts)


Take Action—Advocacy

Points Total

Attended a Missouri PTA Kid’s First Town Hall Meeting 50 pts

Attended Missouri Child Advocacy Day 15 pts

Attend a Legislative Forum* in your House/Senate district.Date ______________(Such forums must have one or more electedofficials* in attendance) x10 pts

Attend a Candidate/Political Forum (Such forums must have one or more electedofficials* in attendance) Dates__________________ x10 pts

Attend a Political Issue Meeting* or Town Hall* (Such forums must have one or moreelected officials* in attendance) x10 pts

Host an elected official** at your school Name of elected official________________________ x15 pts

Personal visit to elected official* since end of 2011 ConventionName of official______________________________________Name of official______________________________________Name of official______________________________________Name of official______________________________________ x10 pts

Testify before House or Senate HearingDate _______________ Hearing ________________________ x30 pts

Attend House or Senate HearingDate _______________ Hearing ________________________ x10 pts

Attend Board of Education MeetingDate _______________Date _______________Date _______________ x5 pts

Speak before Board of Education on advocacy for studentsDate _______________Date _______________Date _______________ x15pts

Work on committee developing/authorizing a PTA Resolution x25 pts

Take part in a Voter Registration at your unit/council (2011-2012 School Year) x15pts

Take part in a Mock Election at your unit (2011-2012 School Year) x15pts

Total number of points earned (minimum total required 100 pts)

*Elected officials include any state or federal elected position, e.g.:State Representative or Senator, U.S. Congressman or Senator, Governor, etc.

NOTE: Subject matter must pertain to issues important to children and youth. The applicant in anycommunication/contact, whether written or oral, must take the position held by National PTA andMissouri PTA. The completed application form with supporting documentation (newsletters,programs, minutes, letters, copies of e-mails) must be to the MOPTA office and postmarked onor before September 1, 2012.


Missouri PTAAdvocacy through Legislation (AtLAW)

Outstanding Unit/Council Award

This Award is for Local PTA Units or Councils with an active legislative program, or who would like todevelop an active legislative program.

Hosting Missouri PTA Kid’s First Town Hall Meeting in your region, council or unit along with pointsawarded for attending other conferences, sponsoring forums, contacting state and national legislators, aswell as informing your membership about legislative issues, will help earn your unit or council theMissouri PTA Advocacy through Legislation Outstanding Unit or Council Award.

To earn the Award, units and councils must show their commitment to advocating for childrenthrough legislation by earning 200 points or more during the specified time frame, which starts with theAnnual Missouri PTA Convention and continues to September 1 of the following year.

There are two mandatory requirements for this award.1. The unit or council must host a Missouri PTA Kid’s First Town Hall Meeting held after the

annual MOPTA State Convention and before Sept. 1, 2012. If a unit’s council is hosting theevent the unit may meet this requirement by actively participating in the planning and hosting ofthe event.

2. A Legislative Chairperson for the unit or council must be appointed. The name and contactinformation including name, address, phone and email address must be to the MOPTA office byDecember 1, 2011.

Beyond that, points can be earned by members of the unit or council in a variety of ways as set forth inthe application. Many members of the unit or council may want to try for the Individual Advocacythrough Legislation Award.

The completed application form with supporting documentation (newsletters, programs, minutes, letters,copies of e-mails) must be to the MOPTA office and postmarked on or before September 1, 2012.

Send to: Missouri PTA Office2101 Burlington Street

Columbia, MO 65202-1945


Missouri PTA

Advocacy through Legislation (AtLAW)Unit/Council Award

Name of Unit/Council applying for award___________________________________

Legislative Chairperson__________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________

City ______________________________ Zip ___________ Phone________________

Unit/Council President___________________________________

Council or City ____________________________________ Region_______________

Part A – These are mandatory requirements for eligibilityUnit/Council hosted a Kid’s First Town Hall meeting since the 2011 Missouri PTA Convention (ifa unit’s Council is hosting the event the unit can receive credit for actively participating in theplanning/hosting) Date________________

Appoint a Legislative Chairperson and send name with contact information to the MOPTA officeby December 1, 2011 Name_______________________________

Part B

Attend Training throughout the Year

Points Total

Total number of attendees at the 2011 Missouri PTA Convention x5 pts

Total number of attendees to Missouri PTA Advocacy Training x10 pts

Total number of attendees at a Missouri or National Resolution Briefing x10 pts

Inform Others on Legislative Issues

Points Total

Total number of articles included in newsletters (include copies of newsletters) x5 pts

Total number of letters to the editor (include copies of published letters) x5 pts

Give a legislative report at PTA meeting (include copy of meeting minutes) x5 pts

Give a legislative report on MOPTA issues at a School Board meeting (include copy ofmeeting minutes) x5 pts

Total number of phone calls to elected officials* since end of 2011 ConventionDate_____________ Elected official_____________________Date_____________ Elected official_____________________ x5 pts

Writing letters to elected officials.* Total numbers letters/postcards since end of 2011Convention (include copies of letter/postcards) x5 pts

Communications from elected officials* pertaining to PTA issues and sent to the LegislativeDepartment since end of 2011 Convention (copy of letter, e-mail or other correspondenceor notes from phone conversation) x5 pts


Take Action—Advocacy

Points Total

Total number of attendees at a Kid’s First Town Hall meetings since the 2011 Missouri PTAConventionDate/Location_________________Date/Location_________________Date/Location_________________ x10 pts

Hosted a Candidate’s ForumDate_______________Type of Election/position____________________________ x35 pts

Host an elected official** at your school Name of elected official________________________ x15 pts

Personal visit to elected official* since end of 2011 ConventionName of official______________________________________Name of official______________________________________Name of official______________________________________Name of official______________________________________ x10 pts

Total number who testified before House or Senate HearingDate _______________ Hearing ________________________ x30 pts

Total number who attended House or Senate HearingDate _______________ Hearing ________________________ x10 pts

Total number attending Board of Education MeetingsDate _______________ number of attendees_______Date _______________ number of attendees_______Date _______________ number of attendees_______ x5 pts

Speak before Board of Education on advocacy for studentsDate _______________Date _______________Date _______________ x15pts

Submitted proposed Resolutions by units or councilResolution title_____________________________ x25 pts

Held a pre-Convention workshop for local unit or council to discuss Missouri PTA proposedResolutions 10 pts

Take part in a Voter Registration at your unit/council (2011-2012 School Year) 15pts

Take part in a Mock Election at your unit (2011-2012 School Year) 15pts

Total (Minimum 200 points) ___________

*Elected officials include any state or federal elected position, e.g.:State Representative or Senator, U.S. Congressman or Senator, Governor, etc.

NOTE: Subject matter must pertain to issues important to children and youth. The applicant in anycommunication/contact, whether written or oral, must take the position held by National PTA and Missouri PTA.The completed application form with supporting documentation (newsletters, programs, minutes, letters,copies of e-mails) must be to the MOPTA office and postmarked on or before September 1, 2012.


Join JC/DC Member to Member NetworkApplication to Join

Missouri PTA & National PTA’s JC/DC Member-to-Member Network(Jefferson City/Washington DC)

An important part of MOPTA is the mission to be a “strong advocate for the education and well-being ofevery child. The JC/DC Member-to-Member Network promotes and facilitates direct contact by PTAmembers to members of the Missouri House and Senate, and the U.S. Congress. By joining the network,PTA members will periodically receive legislative ACTION ALERTS from Missouri PTA on stateissues and National PTA on federal issues. Members will also receive the monthly federal policy e-newsletter from National PTA and updates from Missouri PTA, electronically.

To apply for membership, please complete this form. This information will be used only for purposes ofthe JC/DC Member-to-Member Network, and will not be disclosed to any third party. Please allow up tofour weeks for membership subscription to be added to the network.

*First name __________________________

*Last name ______________________________________________________________

*Address line 1 ____________________________________________________________________

Address line 2 _____________________________________________________________________

*City ____________________________________________________________________________

*State ____________________________ Zip code ______________________________________

Phone (____) ______________________________

*E-mail ________________________________________________

PTA position/title __________________________________________________________________

*PTA local unit: ___________________________________________________________________

* Form cannot be processed without this information.

Please mail, fax, or e-mail this form to:

Missouri PTA OfficeFax: 573/445-4163 Email: [email protected]: 2101 Burlington StreetColumbia, MO 65202


Resolutions Convention Action Cover Sheet

This cover sheet MUST accompany any resolution or any request for substitution of a present resolutionthat is proposed for action by delegates to the Missouri PTA annual convention.

Subject matter: ____ Resolution not previously addressed by Missouri PTA

____ Request for substitution of present Missouri PTA resolution

ORIGINATING GROUP______________________ Local Unit _____Council _____

Unit/Council Name__________________________________________

President’s Name ___________________________________________

President’s Address _________________________________________

City _________________________Zip _____________ Phone __________

Approved at General Meeting held on ______________________________

Number of members present ___________Affirmative Vote ____________

Quorum stated in bylaws ____________________

Contact person ___________________________Position __________________

Address ___________________________________City _____________________

Zip _______________ Telephone ___________________

CHECKLIST (Proposed Action) YES NO

In accordance with PTA Purposes & Policies? ____ ____ Related to the education, health, or welfare of ____ ____

children and youth? Accompanied by rationale, background data, ____ ____

table of contents, and reference sheet? Related to state and/or local status? ____ ____ Signed by originating group’s president and

secretary, and all requested information on ____ ____Convention Cover Sheet furnished and legible?

Signature of President Date

Signature of Secretary DateMail to: Missouri PTA, 2101 Burlington Street, Columbia, MO 65202-1945 postmarked by February 15th 2012


Missouri PTA Resolutions Handbook

The Resolutions Handbook contains Missouri PTA Position Statements and Resolutions from 1970through 2011 and tips for writing resolutions. All resolutions are available on the web atwww.mopta.org or the handbook is available from the Missouri PTA State Office for $10.00 plus $3.00for postage & handling ($13.00 total). Use the form below to order this helpful and informative tool.

Please make checks payable to Missouri PTA.

Please mail to:Missouri PTA2101 Burlington StreetColumbia, MO 65202

Thank you for your interest in the Resolutions Program and for all that you do forMissouri’s children and youth!

Missouri PTA Resolutions HandbookOrder FormPlease send –

__________ Handbook(s) in printed version for $10.00 each $ ______________

Postage & Handling @ $3.00 each $ ______________

Total amount enclosed $ ______________

Name _____________________________________ Phone _________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

City _____________________________ State ______________ Zip Code ___________

2012 legislative handbook final copy - missouri pta · 2012 legislative handbook 2 missouri pta...

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