2024-25 LAPTA Award Winners
"And now for the Rest of the Story....." So I might've told a few stories to surprise our TWO Volunteer of the Year Winners for 2024-25! When I went to surprise Whitney Gates (University Elementary President), she was onto us. But I one-upped her by asking the LAPTA Contests Committee Chair to create a fake Facebook post declaring Misty Richmond the winner. My ploy worked, and Whitney was totally surprised. The following day I also surprised Lindsey Lewis (Fairfield Magnet PTA President and Byrd High PTSA VP) with her Honorable Mention.
BUT then it got tricky again. The LAPTA Contests Committee Chair and Misty Richmond are actually one in the same person. I knew when I asked her to make herself the "fake" winner that she, too, would be receiving the award. Without questioning me or saying, "hey, that's kind of rude to make me the 'fake' winner," she just said, "confusing, but sure!" We were able to finally surprise Misty Richmond (Madisonville Jr High PTA President and Mandeville High Secretary) who was subbing at MJH. We popped into the classroom, successfully surprised her, and presented her with the second Volunteer of the Year Award!
I'd apologize for my hijinks, except for that I'm not sorry... I am, however, done with my sneaky ways, or am I????
Congratulations to all three women! You're all amazing! And to all those who are quietly serving in the background, LAPTA thanks you, as well.
Whitney Gates
Misty Richmond
Lindsey Lewis
2025-26 Toolkits NOW AVAILABLE
Create Your Givebacks Account!
LAPTA just partnered with Givebacks.com to streamline collection of membership dues, submittal of the Affiliation report, and officer registration with LAPTA. Each PTA leader registered with LAPTA received a welcome email from Givebacks with details. If you did not receive the email, search for "Givebacks" in your spam, other, or promotions folders first and then email Beth at president@louisianapta.org. Learn more at LouisianaPTA.org/givebacks.
Create your account here. It is better to use your personal email rather than a PTA-specific email. Once you create and validate the account and you're logged in, there will be a list of "causes" (PTAs) associated with your email on the main log in page. Select the PTA listed under causes. PTAs are *encouraged* (not required) for their online store and website to use Givebacks instead of CheddarUp and PTBoard. We are still learning about their free accounting feature that would replace Quickbooks or MoneyMinder.
Current membership dues for 2024-25 are still submitted through CheddarUp at LouisianaPTA.org/membership.
Go through each of the menu items down the left side of the page to review the site. It will walk you through the steps to complete.
*MEMBERSHIPS Menu Item: This is how dues will be submitted to LAPTA for next year.
*COMPLIANCE Menu Item: The 2025-26 Affiliation Report will be submitted under "Submit Forms."
*COMPLIANCE Menu Item: The 2025-26 LAPTA Officer Registration will be submitted under "Update Officers."
2024-25 National PTA Reflections Winners!
LAPTA advanced 17 student entries into the National PTA Reflections contest. Four students won a National PTA Award for their entries! Congratulations to all four of you! See the complete list of winners at LouisianaPTA.org/reflections.
The New LAPTA Membership Theme
The next LAPTA Membership Theme receiving 57% of the votes is .... Growing the Future Rooted in Tradition! This theme plus "Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler with PTA" and "PTA: A Work of Heart" are available now on Canva for you to personalize with your PTA name if you like. Go to LouisianaPTA.org/resources in the "Templates" section for links. Email Beth at President@LouisianaPTA.org if the Canva links give you trouble.
Training Requirement for Active Affiliation
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All elected officer positions (President, VPs, Treasurer, and Secretary) are required to receive 4 credits of Leadership Training Courses from LAPTA. We encourage all Board members to receive training as they are the future leaders of your PTA. Officers need 4 credits with each course counting as one unless otherwise noted. In-person Leadership Development Day training satisfies all 4 credits. This is done one of five ways:
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Attend in-person LAPTA Training on August 16 in Mandeville or August 23 in Shreveport
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Attend webinar meetings offered in July and September
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Watch the recorded webinars
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Read the attached webinar or training documents
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Attend one-on-one training with LAPTA
LAPTA VP of Leadership Development is Jennifer Hale (Leader.Develop@LouisianaPTA.org.)
Prepare for the Membership Dues Increase
National PTA voted to increase its dues by $1.00. This increase goes into effect on July 1, 2025. LAPTA will then collect $4.50/person with LAPTA getting $1.25 and National PTA getting $3.25. PTAs can choose to increase their dues to offset this added expense. This is done with a Bylaws amendment as the dues are set in the Bylaws. The process requires proper notice to and a vote before the General Membership. When amending the Bylaws, use the following timeline:
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Pick the date for the General Membership Meeting that will vote on the Bylaws amendment. Give 20 days' notice to the membership before the meeting.
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Present the Bylaws amendment at the General Membership Meeting with a quorum established. Include time for any questions and provide a good explanation for the dues increase. Read more details explaining the increase at The Value of PTA Membership and What National PTA Does to Grow Membership.
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Make a motion to accept the Bylaws amendment. Only members can vote. An affirmative two-thirds vote of those present at the meeting is required.
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Email the Bylaws Approval Form which includes a field for the exact wording of the Bylaws amendment to Bylaws@LouisianaPTA.org. LAPTA will review the amendment and email the updated Bylaws back to the PTA.
Here is suggested verbiage. Next on the agenda is the proposed dues increase which requires amending the Bylaws. All PTA members are also LAPTA and National PTA members. We currently pay $3.50/member total to them as dictated through affiliation requirements. National PTA increased its dues by $1 as of July 1, 2025. The PTA will then pay $4.50/member with $1.25 going to LAPTA and now $3.25 going to National PTA. They had not had a dues increase in 12 years. The PTA is proposing [details of dues increase]. We will first open with a motion and then have discussion. Could someone make a motion to [details]? Can I have a second? Thank you, [person 1] made the motion to [details] and was seconded. Is there any discussion? We will alternate between pro and con positions allowing each person to speak once before someone speaks for a second time. .... Amendments to the Bylaws require an affirmative two-thirds vote. All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. The [ayes/nays] have it. Motion [passed/failed].
Membership Goals
Louisiana PTA has a 2024-25 goal of 11,000 members for its 102nd year. Membership is at the heart of PTA and plays a vital role in the success of Local PTAs, Louisiana PTA, and National PTA. LAPTA had 10,664 members for 2023-24 year. Thanks to everyone who helped to spread the important message and mission of PTA. For your Local PTA Unit's 2024-25 membership goal, download the Local PTA Membership Goals PDF below or contact Peggy Mauer, LAPTA Membership Chair, at Membership@LouisianaPTA.org.
Friends of LAPTA & Vendors at Training Events
Friends of LAPTA financially support LAPTA and our mission and vision of supporting all children and families. To become a Friend of LAPTA, see the different opportunities below. Please support our Friends of LAPTA! Sign up to become a Friend of LAPTA and financially support our goals and mission! We have 5 levels of support. We also have Vendors at our training events in August where pricing ranges from $0 to $250.
Mission Partners
Mission Partners are nonprofits or other groups whose focus is to improve the lives of children and whose mission aligns with the PTA mission. These like-minded associations and coalitions might include a teacher or librarian group, foster care, a mental health group, and so many more. To become a Mission Partner or learn more about it, visit LouisianaPTA.org/missionpartners.