START A NEW PTA!

If you are considering starting a new PTA unit, we'd love to have you. PTA is the oldest and biggest child advocacy association in the country! National PTA is 125 years old with millions of members, and Louisiana PTA is celebrating its centennial year! To start the application process, read below or click Apply Now.

APPLYING FOR A NEW PTA

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. Scroll down one section to download the "Applying for a New PTA Packet."

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.

1. 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 Unit. A LAPTA Board of Directors member will meet with your group and walk you through the steps in applying for affiliation.

2. Form a Planning Committee. Identify parents, school administration, teachers, and community members interested in forming a PTA. Set a time and place for an initial planning meeting and invite the interested parties. Virtual meetings and elections are allowed by LAPTA. At the Planning Committee meeting, first select a Chair and a Secretary of Planning Committee to undertake responsibilities until officers are elected. Second, organize the Bylaws Committee. Bylaws of the PTA define the primary characteristics of the organization. LAPTA requires the use of the customizable Bylaws template at LouisianaPTA.org/bylaws. Third, organize the Nominating Committee who seeks qualified individuals to be the nominee for each office as outlined in the proposed Bylaws. Survey your school community to find individuals willing to be nominated for office. All candidates nominated must intend to join the Local Unit PTA and their consent must be obtained before their name is submitted for consideration. Finally, set a date for the organizational meeting to form and charter the new PTA unit.

3. Publicize the Organizational Meeting. Distribute notices of the organizational meeting to all parents, teachers, school staff, and community members. Include the proposed Membership dues in the note and that a minimum of 30 people is required to join and pay dues during the meeting.

4. Hold the Organizational Meeting. Have the Planning Committee Secretary take the minutes of the meeting. The Organizational Meeting Script, Motion Form, and Nominating Committee Report will be in the Packet emailed to you. The order of the meeting is (1) Call the meeting to order; (2) Move to organize; (3) Distribute and present the Bylaws; (4) Enroll members; (5) Call for the Nominating Report and nominations from the floor; and (6) Install newly elected officers.

5. Upload results from the Organizational Meeting at https://form.jotform.com/222127875041048.

6. 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.

7. Participate in officer and committee training with LAPTA or PTA.org. All Board members shall create an account with PTA.org. Under Run Your PTA menu, select E-Learning for further training.

8. 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.

9. Apply for EIN number online with the IRS. The PTA fiscal year runs July 1 – June 30. Your unit will be placed under Louisiana PTA group tax exemption.

10. Apply for Articles of Incorporation at the Louisiana Secretary of State at geauxbiz.com. Cost is $75. Email your Articles of Incorporation to office@LouisianaPTA.org.

11. Establish the checking account. There shall be at least three authorized signers who must also be elected officers. Debit cards may be ordered by the authorized signers with the PTA name on the card. Online banking and E-Commerce are allowed. Deposit the member dues when opening the bank account.

12. Obtain insurance for general liability and bonding. LAPTA and National PTA have a relationship with AIM Insurance which can be contacted at (800) 876-4044 or AIM-companies.com. Annual cost starts at $220.

13. Have all Board members register with LAPTA at LouisianaPTA.org/submit-officer-data-1. Create email accounts for all Board members specific to the PTA such as president.ABCPTA@gmail.com.

14. Upload the results of General Membership Meeting at https://form.jotform.com/222127875041048 to receive your new PTA Charter paperwork and LUR# (Local Unit Registration number)!

15. 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!

16. Celebrate! And Welcome to National PTA and Louisiana PTA!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PACKET:

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Build a PTA that reflects all your families and your school community

When PTAs respect differences yet acknowledge shared commonalities uniting their communities, and then develop meaningful priorities based upon their knowledge, they genuinely represent their communities. When PTAs represent their communities, they gain strength and effectiveness through increased volunteer and resource support.

FIND OUT MORE: louisianapta.org/membership

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