Leader Notes July 23, 2025

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2 days ago
3 min read

Hi, PTA Leaders, Old and New! The new term for the 2025-26 Board Members started on July 1. If you are done with your PTA term, we will stop emailing the 2024-25 Leaders later this month. Until then, please forward this email to your replacement who need to register at LouisianaPTA.org/register to get on our email list. LAPTA is busy planning our year to best support you. Please keep in touch and reach out if you need anything. This email covers:

Reboot of August In-Person Training
Update your PTA name with the IRS
Tips for a Strong Start
Other Announcements (View past emails on our blog.)

Reboot of August Training Days with Giveaways, Prizes, Games, and More!

Attend the in-person PTA Leadership Training on August 16 in Mandeville (Fontainebleau High) and August 23 in Shreveport (Caddo Magnet High). Cost is $25 which is paid by your Local PTA Unit. LAPTA is working hard this summer to completely redo the format of training to make it more fun and interactive with more prizes!

While training is required for all officers, it can be completed several ways. See LouisianaPTA.org/training for full details.

If you'd like one-on-one early training, email Jennifer Hale at Leader.Develop@LouisianaPTA.org.

Register Now

Update the PTA's Name with the IRS

Years ago, many of the Local PTAs were named "PTA Louisiana Congress" when they applied for their IRS EIN to designate that they were under the Louisiana PTA tax umbrella. This is not necessary anymore. We encourage all PTAs with PTA Louisiana Congress as your name with the IRS to change it to your actual name. To do this, LAPTA created a Canva template to make it as easy as possible. The first page includes the instructions, page two is for PTAs, and page 3 is for PTSAs. You also need to have minutes from a meeting making a motion to change the name from the old to the new and signed by two officers. If you file IRS Form 990 EZ or Form 990, then you can change your name on that form or you can use the Canva template. If you file Form 990N, you cannot change your name on that form and you have to use the Canva template to submit the letter separately. See more information about filing federal taxes on the Treasurer page.

Change Your Name with the IRS

Tips for a Strong Start

Here is a quick overview of how and where to get started. Email us if you have questions at President@LouisianaPTA.org or view the full LAPTA Board Members.

Go through every link under every menu item of the LAPTA website to quickly view each page to get a good overview.
Get familiar with Givebacks. See details at LouisianaPTA.org/givebacks.
Have all officers register at LouisianaPTA.org/register.
If you would like help over the summer, schedule a summer one-on-one training with Jennifer Hale at Leader.Develop@LouisianaPTA.org.
Register for the August in-person training. Previous training recordings and documents are at LouisianaPTA.org/training. Officers are required to complete 4 training credits which can be completed by attending the August training or by watching or reading past courses.
View the toolkits at LouisianaPTA.org/toolkits.
Email Philip Davis for a copy of your Bylaws. See LouisianaPTA.org/bylaws.
Email Peggy Mauer for your 2024-25 membership total. The 2025-26 Goals will be published in early July. See LouisianaPTA.org/membership.
Create a Welcome Packet to go out in the schools' first day packets. This page also has lots of other templates and resources that can help you.
Meet with your outgoing President and get all the files, passwords, details, advice, and more.

Other Announcements

CADDO PARISH and all other parishes -- We need you! We currently only have representation of St. Tammany Parish on the LAPTA Board! PLEASE consider joining us as the: 1) Corresponding Secretary, 2) Membership Committee Member, or 3) member of any other committee. The duties of Secretary would be shared with our current Secretary, so it really wouldn't be too much at all. Email President@LouisianaPTA.org if interested.

View past Local Leader emails at LouisianaPTA.org/blog.
View the LAPTA Bylaws Amendment Notice to be discussed and voted on at the Annual LAPTA Meeting during the in-person training.
All officers need to register at Louisianapta.org/register -OR- log into Givebacks.com and "Update Officers" under Compliance Menu and select "2025-26."