Toolkit [tool-kit]
Definition: A collection of expert skills, knowledge, procedures, and information for a particular topic or activity:
Examples: 1) "The PTA President shared the informative LAPTA Toolkits with everyone in their PTA units and everyone enjoyed a productive and successful year!"
2024-25 LAPTA Toolkit UPDATED
The 2024-25 LAPTA Toolkits are available for download now. You can view each section at LouisianaPTA.org/toolkits or download below.
LAPTA Toolkit: All Sections - Word File or PDF
Sec 1. LAPTA & National PTA PDF
Sec 2. President PDF
Sec 3. Treasurer PDF
Sec 4. Secretary PDF
Sec 5. Board of Directors PDF
Sec 6. Membership PDF
Sec 7. Advocacy PDF
Sec 8. Inclusion DIO PDF
Sec 9. Elections & Nominating Committee PDF
Sec 10. Bylaws, Standing Rules, Articles of Incorporation PDF
Sec 11. Awards, Grants, and Contests PDF
Sec 1. Louisiana PTA and National PTA
Louisiana PTA Office; Board of Directors................................. 4
History of Louisiana PTA................................................................... 5
Louisiana PTA Office........................................................................... 6
What does LAPTA Do?........................................................................ 6
Mission Partners of LAPTA............................................................... 7
Friends of LAPTA................................................................................... 7
About National PTA.............................................................................. 8
National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships....9
Sec 2. President
Index:
Important Document and Terms........................................................ 12
Leadership Traits....................................................................................... 12
Essential Knowledge................................................................................ 12
Getting Started........................................................................................... 14
President’s Binder..................................................................................... 14
Building the Board of Directors (BOD)........................................... 15
Pick Your PTA Programs........................................................................ 16
Leadership Development & Training (Required)....................... 16
Finances......................................................................................................... 17
Fundraising Strategies............................................................................ 18
MoneyMinder.com and CheddarUp.com........................................ 19
Membership Dues..................................................................................... 19
Meeting Types............................................................................................. 19
Elements of Successful Meetings..................................................... 20
Parliamentary Procedure....................................................................... 20
Orientation Meeting................................................................................. 21
Agendas and the Minutes..................................................................... 22
Icebreakers.................................................................................................. 23
Problem Solving......................................................................................... 24
Partnering with Administrators........................................................... 25
Partnering with Teachers....................................................................... 26
President’s Checklist............................................................................... 27
Calendar for LAPTA.................................................................................. 29
Active Affiliation Report and Retention Plan............................... 31
Year-End Checklist and Transition Guidance.............................. 32
Sample Agenda.......................................................................................... 33
Sample Meeting Script........................................................................... 34
Sample Passwords & Accounts Summary.................................... 36
Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy................ 37
Sec 3. Treasurer
Index:
Introduction........................................................................................................... 40
Treasurer’s Binder............................................................................................... 40
Responsibilities of the Treasurer................................................................. 41
MoneyMinder and CheddarUp....................................................................... 41
Principles of PTA Financial Management................................................ 42
Raising Money....................................................................................................... 43
Budget....................................................................................................................... 43
Banking and E-Commerce Policy................................................................ 44
Insurance (Required)........................................................................................ 46
Articles of Incorporation................................................................................. 47
Federal Taxes........................................................................................................ 47
State Sales Tax.................................................................................................... 48
Gifts to Schools................................................................................................... 49
Financial Reports (3 Types) ......................................................................... 49
Audit Committee and Its Report................................................................ 49
Record Keeping & Retention...................................................................... 50
Additional Resources....................................................................................... 50
Active Affiliation and Retention Plan........................................................ 51
Inventory Accountability Form..................................................................... 52
Year-End Financial Checklist........................................................................ 53
Budget Approval Form...................................................................................... 54
Sample Budgets and Comparison Reports............................................ 55
Deposit Form......................................................................................................... 57
Expense Form....................................................................................................... 58
Bylaws and Amendments Approval Form................................................ 59
Audit Report Form, Instructions and Worksheet................................. 60
Letter for NSF Check......................................................................................... 63
Monetary Donation to a School................................................................... 64
Equipment Purchased by a PTA for Its Use ......................................... 65
General Donation Agreement....................................................................... 66
Passwords and Accounts Summary Sample.......................................... 67
Sec 4. Secretary
Index:
Importance of Secretary............................................................................... 69
Secretary’s Binder............................................................................................ 69 Communications and Social Media........................................................ 77
LAPTA Calendar................................................................................................ 70
Responsibilities of Secretary...................................................................... 72
Historian................................................................................................................ 73
Minutes.................................................................................................................. 74
Content of Minutes.......................................................................................... 75
Motions.................................................................................................................. 76
Elections............................................................................................................... 76
Records Retention........................................................................................... 76
Sample Agenda................................................................................................. 78
Sample Minutes................................................................................................ 79
Motion Form....................................................................................................... 80
Roster Sign-In Sheet...................................................................................... 81
Inventory Accountability Form.................................................................. 82
Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy...................... 83
Active Affiliation and Retention Plan..................................................... 85
Sec 5. Board of Directors
Index:
Importance of Boardsmanship.................................................................... 87
LAPTA Calendar................................................................................................... 88
Brief Checklist for Local PTA Units............................................................ 90
Being a Board of Directors’ Member........................................................ 91
Leadership Traits................................................................................................ 92
Quorum.................................................................................................................... 92
Getting Started.................................................................................................... 92
Executive Committee....................................................................................... 93
Committees.......................................................................................................... 94
Committee Examples...................................................................................... 94
Virtual Meetings................................................................................................. 96
Setting Goals....................................................................................................... 96
Procedure Binder.............................................................................................. 96
Email Protocol.................................................................................................... 96
How Boards Succeed...................................................................................... 97
Leadership Development & Training....................................................... 97
Finance for Board Members........................................................................ 98
Communications and Social Media......................................................... 99
Confidentiality, Ethics, & Conflict of Interest Policy....................... 100
Active Affiliation Report and Retention Plan...................................... 102
Partnering with Administrators.................................................................. 103
Partnering with Teachers............................................................................. 104
Sec 6. Membership
Index:
Introduction.................................................................................................... 106
Procedure Binder......................................................................................... 106
Getting Started.............................................................................................. 107
Membership Chair Duties........................................................................ 107
Submit Membership Dues....................................................................... 107
Membership Campaign Theme............................................................. 108
Create Your Own PTA Value Message................................................ 109
Collecting Dues Online with CheddarUp........................................... 111
Monthly Membership Challenges......................................................... 111
Annual Membership Awards................................................................... 111
Membership Calendar............................................................................... 112
Hashtag and Email Signature ............................................................... 114
Sample Membership Ask Email........................................................... 114
Customize the PTA Logo......................................................................... 114
Sample Membership Ask Flyer............................................................. 115
Sample Membership Thank You........................................................... 116
Sec 7. Advocacy
Index:
Introduction to Advocacy........................................................................... 118
Gateway to Advocacy: Why Advocate?................................................ 119
Advocating on an Issue: Planning......................................................... 120
Setting Goals................................................................................................... 120
Raising Public Awareness.......................................................................... 121
Conducting Candidate or Issue Forums............................................ 121
Forum Timeline............................................................................................... 123
Implementation: Developing Your Message.................................... 124
Resolutions and Legislative Positions................................................ 125
Using the Media............................................................................................. 125
How to Write a Press Release................................................................. 126
Sample Thank You Letter to Legislator.............................................. 126
Advocating with Your School Board...................................................... 127
Advocacy Award for Local PTA Units.................................................... 128
Advocacy Awards for Students................................................................. 128
Sec 8. Inclusion DIO
Index:
Introduction............................................................................................. 130
Promote Diversity in Your School.................................................. 131
Hold an Inclusive PTA Meeting...................................................... 132
DIO Resources........................................................................................ 133
Sec 9. Elections & Nominating Committee
Index:
Nominating Committee......................................................................... 135
Elections........................................................................................................ 136
Election Timeline Summary................................................................. 137
Script for Non-Contested Elections................................................. 138
Script for Contested Elections........................................................... 139
Nominating Committee Report......................................................... 140
Teller Committee Report....................................................................... 141
Sec 10. Bylaws, Standing Rules, & Articles of Incorporation
Index:
Articles of Incorporation..................................................................... 143
Updating the Bylaws.............................................................................. 144
Timeline Summary for Bylaws Approval...................................... 144
Instructions for Bylaws Template................................................... 145
Bylaws & Amendments Approval Form....................................... 146
Standing Rules........................................................................................ 147
Sec 11. Awards, Grants, & Contests
Index:
Awards, Grants, and Contests Summary......................................... 149
Monthly Membership Challenges....................................................... 150
Annual Membership Awards................................................................. 150
Fire Safety Poster Contest..................................................................... 151
Reflections Theme Search Contest................................................... 152
Reflections Program................................................................................. 153
Outstanding PTA Newsletter Award.................................................. 154
Advocacy Award for Local PTA Units............................................... 155
Advocacy Award for Students.............................................................. 155
Volunteer of the Year Award................................................................. 156
Mentor-a-PTA Award................................................................................ 156
Apply for National PTA Grants............................................................ 157
Louisiana PTA Grants............................................................................. 157
Top Grant Writing Tips........................................................................... 157
$750 Literacy Grant Application....................................................... 158
$750 Healthy Minds Grant Application......................................... 159
$500 LAPTA Day of Service Grant Application........................ 160
$500 Creative Teacher Grant Application.................................. 161