2025 UTAH PTA HANDBOOK
PRESIDENT

UTAH PTA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Welcome to the 2025-2026 PTA Year and what a year it will be! It’s the year Utah PTA celebrates its 100th birthday! Utah PTA has a long history of child advocacy, parent engagement and leadership development. From the days before Utah statehood to now, Utah PTA and its predecessor “Utah Mother’s Congress” has been at the forefront of advocating for the best education for all children. From leading the drive for kindergarten, to school lunches, to health screenings and laws to protect children, Utah PTA has been the driving force. From its very beginnings, in the front parlors of family homes to the state capitol, the same mission has been at play for more than 100 years, to Make Every Child’s Potential a Reality. 

PTA has been a huge part of my adult life. It has given me just as much as I have given it. Like you, I started PTA to give back to the school that gave so much for my children. My child benefited from family events, class parties, curriculum enrichment and they saw first hand the impact of serving your community through PTA service. Our family has enjoyed many family dances, talent shows, reflections ceremonies and even tailgate parties with warm blankets and pom-poms! I have gained friendships, knowledge and skills in a variety of areas and fields and I most importantly found my voice. PTA taught me how to stand up for myself and children in an effective manner. PTA taught me how to advocate for my own children in IEP meetings to now testify before legislators for your children, something I would have never have thought I could do. PTA also taught me to look at situations from different perspectives and see other ways to accomplish goals. 

As we move through this momentous year, I hope you will take the time to learn the history of Utah PTA. It is through its history where we can find strength, perseverance and the foundation to build future successes on. PTA is a vital organization ADVOCATING for every child, at any age and from any socioeconomic situation to help them secure physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well being. PTA continues to DEVELOP programs, resources and leadership opportunities for not only children but the adults supporting the children in our communities while ENGAGING our communities to help us make every child’s potential a reality. PTA is a TEAM! PTA is a network of families, students, teachers, administrators and the community all with a common goal! It’s truly amazing! 

Utah PTA strives to be a wonderful resource to all local and council leaders. Please take the time to read and study this handbook and your bylaws, search and study the Utah PTA website, attend any and all training opportunities, and join the many social media avenues offered by Utah PTA as well as your Council and National PTA. The network of leaders from around Utah and the Nation are truly a great group of people ready to share ideas, burdens and handouts. They are there and are ready to help! Reach out! 

Your service combined with the many others of team PTA will make a significant impact on countless children and families. I hope that you will see the strengths of your board and utilize their skills to be the most successful you can be. Effective communication and fostering a welcoming environment are key components of a successful PTA and in turn, you as a leader. We are so fortunate to have a great foundation and legacy, to build a lasting future upon.

Thank you for your service to PTA this year. It is going to be a great year! I look forward to meeting many of you and serving alongside you as we continue to fulfill our mission, To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

Julie Cluff

Utah PTA President 2025-2027

UTAH PTA PAST PRESIDENTS

2023-2025: Corey Fairholm

2021-2023: Stacey Mollinet

2019-2021: Laney Benedict

2017-2019: Jeana Stockdale

2015-2017: Dawn Davies

2013-2015: Liz Zentner

2011-2013: Gainell Rogers

2009-2011: Ilene Mecham

2007-2009: Marilyn Simister

2005–2007: Carmen Snow

2003–2005: JoAnn Neilson

2001–2003: Susan Dayton

1999–2001: Colleen Taylor

1997–1999: Barbara Willie

1995–1997: Linda Parkinson

1993–1995: Mareid Horton

1991–1993: Joyce Muhlestein

1989–1991: Pat Hales

1987–1989: Darlene Gubler

1985–1987: Lenora Plowthow

1983–1985: Donna Davies

1981–1983: Gayle Judd

1978–1981: Darlene Hutchison

1976–1978: Mrs. Jack Smith

1974–1976: Dixie Nelson

1972–1974: Joan Burnside

1970–1972: Lila Bjorklund

1967–1970: Mrs. Youngs McGregor

1964–1967: Mr. Rowan C. Stutz

1961–1964: Mrs. James W. Urie III

1959–1961: Dr. Ellvert H. Himes

1958–1959: Mrs. George H. Jones

1955–1958: Mrs. Cecil Baker

1952–1955: Mrs. Donald E. Rose

1947–1952: Mrs. Charles L. Walker

1945–1947: Mrs. Eric A. Johnson

1943–1945: Mrs. Edmund P. Evans

1938–1943: Mrs. Lee K. Nicholson

1935–1938: Mrs. Arch J. West

1931–1935: Mrs. John K. Hardy

1925–1931: Mrs. William Reid

WHY BE A PTA SCHOOL?

Utah PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in Utah with over 675 local units and councils. Utah PTA is a partnership between parents, educators, students, and individuals who want to make a difference in the life of a child. Members of Utah PTA are also affiliated with millions of members of National PTA, an association that is actively involved in promoting activities and legislation that support the nation’s public school children.

A PTA School:

• Is a member of the largest child advocacy group in Utah and the United States.

• Has only one agenda - ALL children.

• Functions under the umbrella of Utah PTA’s 501(c)(3) with their own EIN for banking purposes and IRS filings.

• Functions under the umbrella of Utah PTA’s Charitable Solicitation Permit, allowing them to fundraise and deposit fundraising money in their own checking account.

• Has leadership training available through the year for fully trained leaders.

• Networks with other PTA leaders throughout the district and state.

• Has current bylaws to govern them.

• Has the support and training of Utah PTA and National PTA.

• Has access to resources and updated handbooks from Utah PTA. 

• May participate in the PTA Reflections program.

• May participate in PTA awards and any PTA program.

Utah PTA:

• Supports many of the National PTA programs and legislative efforts as they relate to the welfare of Utah’s public school children.

• Participates in numerous committees, coalitions, conferences, summits, and programs for children and youth.

• Holds an annual Leadership Convention to train PTA leaders across the state as well as an annual PTA Day at the Capitol and Advocacy Conference to bring important grassroots issues to the membership.

• Provides valuable parent information through leadership trainings, various handbooks, and emails. Utah PTA has programs for children and youth, including Reflections, Battle of the Bands, PTA Take Your Family to School Week, Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, and more.

• Has the backbone of the organization of diverse volunteer members who donate millions of hours to benefit the children in local public schools.

• Advocates for all children in schools and districts, and by following bills that are supported by Utah PTA resolutions that originate from the grassroots—their members.

• Is the watchdog for Trust Lands money, making sure the monies keep flowing to the local schools and that all uses of the land benefit the children of Utah.

• Supports all public schools, including public charter schools.

BE A PTA PROFESSIONAL

According to the PTA bylaws, all meetings shall be governed by "Robert’s Rules of Order-Newly Revised."
In addition, all board members shall:

• Abide by all PTA rules and meet all PTA deadlines.

• Ensure the confidentiality of the PTA member contact information for the use of PTA only.

• Attend all board meetings and applicable executive committee meetings.

• Notify the president as soon as possible if an emergency occurs and they are unable to attend a scheduled PTA meeting.

• Arrive on time and remain to the conclusion of the meeting except in cases of individual emergencies.

• Begin all meetings on time.

• Be allowed a 10-minute break every two hours, returning promptly.

• Turn all cell phones to "off" or "vibrate." Leave the room if you must answer a call.

• Complete preparation before or after meetings, not during meetings.

• Refrain from holding side conversations.

• Direct all comments and questions through the chair.

• Maintain professional courtesy at all times, including being supportive rather than judgmental, respecting differences of opinion, and listening to others’ ideas without prejudice.

• Give feedback directly and openly in a timely fashion.

• Acknowledge problems and deal with them as they arise. 

• Be prepared to present agenda items in a concise manner and focus on tasks and the process and not on personalities or hidden agendas.

• Obtain missed information during breaks out of consideration of others.

• Adjourn at the scheduled time, as per the printed agenda.

• Dress to match the dress of those also attending a meeting when representing PTA.

• Wear PTA logo items such as name tags, badges, or attire when representing PTA.

• Notify president of address, phone number, and email changes as soon as possible.

• Stay at home out of consideration for the health of others if ill and possibly contagious.

• Set meeting guidelines and expectations.

• Give proper notice of meetings and deadlines.

WHAT ARE THE NATIONAL STANDARDS?

Families are essential partners to schools...

....In the shared mission to help every child reach their full potential.

PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships set the bar for how schools and parent organizations work together to support student success. 

The Standards have contributed to greater awareness and capacity for improving family-school partnerships across the country and internationally for over 20 years. 

The National Standards for Family-School Partnerships are voluntary guidelines to strengthen parent and family involvement on behalf of children in schools and other programs. The six standards and their quality indicators provide PTAs, schools, and communities with the components that are needed for highly effective family-school involvement programs. Add more information can be found at NPTA at PTA.org/home/run-your-pta/family-school-partnerships

PTA leaders and all those interested in more effective family/school/community connections will find the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships to be a valuable resource and catalyst for action.

1. 1. Welcoming All Families Into The School Community
      Families are active participants in the life of the school and feel welcomed, valued and connected to each other, to school staff and to what students are learning and doing in class.

   2. Communicating Effectively
      Families and school staff engage in regular, two-way and meaningful communication about student learning.

   3. Supporting Student Success
      Families and school staff continuously collaborate to support students’ learning and healthy development, both at home and at school and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively.

   4. Speaking Up For Every Child
      Families are empowered to be advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.

   5. Sharing Power
      Families and school staff are equal partners in decisions that affect children and families, and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs. 

   6. Collaborating With Community
      Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expand learning opportunities, community services, and
      civic participation.

Research shows that when families have a better relationship with the school it leads to greater gains in academic achievement, enhanced emotional development and behavior. It not only benefits your own child, but all the children in your school community. We can take simple steps to make our school communities stronger. To start, take a look at your school and see how you would rate your school in the following categories. Are you excelling, progressing, emerging, or below the scale? 

For more information about the National Standards and how to implement them within you PTA/PTSA, visit: utahpta.org/national-standards-family-school-partnerships 

FACEBOOK GROUPS TO JOIN

Utah PTA Advocacy

Utah PTA Super Secondary

Utah PTA Excellent Elementary

Utah PTA Treasurers

Utah PTA Reflections

Utah School Community Councils

Utah PTA Teachers

Utah PTA Battle of the Bands