Whether you are a parent, caregiver, school official or community leader, starting a PTA in your community is easy! Each local PTA is a member-led and member-run independent association providing programs, activities and services to support its members and community. All PTAs are established to achieve PTA’s mission. All PTAs must comply with local, state and federal laws and regulations. Local PTAs are connected to their state PTA, at times a district, council or region PTA within the state and National PTA. These connections form a nationwide network of millions of members working on behalf of all children and youth.

 

Would you like to start a PTA at your school? We'd be honored to talk to you about what PTA has to offer and how to get a new PTA established. Louisiana PTA (LAPTA) assists with organizing new PTA units who are an independent nonprofit, established in accordance with state and federal laws, and are affiliated with LAPTA and National PTA. The process is unique for each unit. Don't let it overwhelm you. LAPTA will help along the way, but these are the general steps to take.

 

Step 1: Contact LAPTA

Contact the Louisiana PTA at https://form.jotform.com/222127875041048 and complete only page 1 of the form to start the process of chartering a Local PTA Unit. The Principal needs to agree to support the new PTA at https://form.jotform.com/223045004461038. A LAPTA Board of Directors member will meet with your group and walk you through the steps in applying for affiliation.  

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Step 2: Planning Committee

Form a Planning Committee. Identify parents, school administration, teachers, and community members interested in forming a PTA. Select a Chair and a Secretary of Planning Committee to undertake responsibilities until officers are elected. Organize the Bylaws Committee. Organize the Nominating Committee who seeks qualified individuals to be the nominee for each office. Set a date for the organizational meeting. 

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Step 3: Organizational Meeting

Publicize the organizational meeting to all parents, teachers, school staff, and community members. At the organizational meeting, move to organize; distribute and vote on the Bylaws; enroll new members; call for the Nominating Report and nominations from the floor; and hold elections and install newly elected officers. Upload results from the organizational meeting at https://form.jotform.com/222127875041048.

 

Step 4: Executive Committee 

Executive Committee meets to set goals, develop a budget for unit approval, select committee chairs, plan for membership drives, and establish communication tools to be used with the membership and within the Board of Directors. Participate in officer and committee training with LAPTA. All Board members need to register with LAPTA. and create an account with National PTA at PTA.org.

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Step 5: General Membership Meeting

Conduct a General Membership meeting to approve the proposed budget. Select authorized signers for the bank account. Include those names and approval of the budget in the minutes. The bank requires this document to allow signers on the account. See LAPTA Toolkit: President for suggested scripts for budget approval and more.

 

Step 6: Applications

Apply for EIN (Employee Identification Number) with the IRS. Apply for Articles of Incorporation with Louisiana Secretary of State. Establish the checking account with a bank. Obtain insurance for general liability and bonding with AIM Insurance at (800) 876-4044 or AIM-companies.com. Create email accounts for all Board members through the server of your choice such as gmail or yahoo. Upload the results from the final steps to receive your new PTA Charter paperwork and LUR# (Local Unit Registration number)!

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Step 7: Plan Your Year

Plan programs and projects. PTA.org is an excellent source of information and programs for the community. Coordinate plans with the principal. Remember to advocate for every child in your school! Celebrate! And Welcome to National PTA and Louisiana PTA!