Due Date: November 15th
The purpose of this award is to recognize the achievements of one outstanding administrator, teacher, or counselor each year.
Eligibility & General Information:
The nominee must be from a PTA-affiliated school in the Western Region.
The nominee must be a current PTA member.
Each unit may nominate one individual.
Past nominees are eligible, but former recipients are not.
The winner will receive a plaque at the Partnership Dinner.
Nomination Requirements:
Send two letters of recommendation to the Awards Chair:
One letter from the PTA unit leader. This letter must emphasize the nominee's contributions to PTA and its success.
One letter from another faculty member or administrator from the same school or district. A letter from an administrator is highly preferred.
Letter Content:
Letters should detail the nominee's commitment to education and the methods they use to instruct and inspire students.
Letters must include information regarding the nominee's past and present PTA involvement.
Important Note: If more than two letters are submitted, only the first two that meet the above requirements will be read and considered.
Nomination Form: CLICK HERE
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Due Date: November 15th
This award is given to a group of individuals for their dedication to making a meaningful and lasting difference for children and youth in New York State. It recognizes collective efforts and achievements that have resulted in a significant and measurable impact within their school, community, or beyond.
Eligibility & General Information:
This award is open to a group of individuals whose collective efforts are making a meaningful difference to children and families.
Nominees may have impact within their school, community, or beyond.
The winner will receive a commemorative plaque at the Partnership Dinner.
Nomination Requirements:
No formal application is necessary.
Submit a single, detailed letter of recommendation.
Letter Content:
Include the name and contact information for the nominee (group or representative)
Clearly describe the nominee's collective efforts and achievements
Provide specific examples of impact, including measurable or observable outcomes
Explain how the nominee's work has made a meaningful difference for children and youth
Provide detailed information about the positive impact the nominee has in the community.
Submit to Western Region PTA at Awards@WesternRegionPTA.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Due Date: N/A - Recognition is tied to Partnership Dinner ticket purchase (late November).
This recognition allows each PTA unit to honor an outstanding member who has made a meaningful contribution to their school community.
Eligibility & General Information:
When a PTA unit purchases four (4) Partnership Dinner tickets, it receives a fifth complimentary ticket.
The complimentary ticket is to be used to honor the unit’s Shining Star recipient.
One honoree per unit per Partnership Dinner cycle.
The honoree is recognized during the Partnership Dinner program.
Nomination Requirements:
No formal application is necessary.
The unit selects its Shining Star internally and designates the honoree when arranging the complimentary ticket.
Information to Provide (when notifying the Awards Chair):
Honoree’s full name, PTA unit, and role/affiliation.
Primary contact information for the honoree (email and phone).
Optional 2–3 sentence justification to be used for recognition at the event.
Submit to: Western Region PTA at Awards@WesternRegionPTA.org
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Important Note:
In keeping with the policy of the Western Region PTA, these awards may or may not be granted at the discretion of the committee if, in the opinion of the committee, no candidate sufficiently meets the criteria.
Due Date: April 21st
Purpose: The Advocate in Action Award was created in 2007 to acknowledge the involvement of PTA members in their child’s education as well as in their PTA. Members can self- nominate, or can be presented with the award by their PTA.
Eligibility: Each applicant must be a PTA member who has participated in at least 8 of the activities listed on the application. Activities range from attending PTA meetings regularly, to service as an officer or chair, to writing articles or letters to legislators, to speaking at a meeting of the Board of Education, to attending a parent-teacher conference.
Application: Complete the Western Region PTA Spring Awards Nomination Form.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Due Date: April 21st
This award recognizes an individual who consistently supports PTA, PTSA, or SEPTSA efforts and helps others succeed, often behind the scenes. Through dedication, reliability, and a willingness to step in wherever needed, this individual plays a vital role in strengthening PTA communities across the Western Region.
Eligibility & General Information:
The nominee must be an individual.
The nominee should be actively involved in supporting PTA/PTSA/SEPTA units, councils, or regional efforts within Western Region
This award is intended to recognize individuals who:
Provide consistent and dependable support
Contribute behind the scenes
Help strengthen leadership, volunteers, and PTA initiatives
The nominee may or may not hold a formal leadership position
The selected recipient will receive a commemorative plaque at the Partnership Dinner.
Nomination Requirements:
Nominations are submitted through the Western Region PTA Spring Awards Nomination Form
No additional letters or materials are required.
Selection Criteria:
Nominations will be evaluated based on:
Demonstrated commitment to supporting PTA/PTSA/SEPTA efforts
Evidence of behind-the-scenes contributions
Impact on volunteers, leaders, or PTA initiatives
Reliability, consistency, and willingness to help wherever needed
Overall contribution to strengthening the PTA community
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ina Ferguson Inclusion Award
Due Date: April 21st
The purpose of this award is to honor the legacy of Ina J. Ferguson by recognizing an individual, group, or PTA unit that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to inclusion, mentorship, and community advocacy.
Ina J. Ferguson was a dedicated community activist, labor leader, and educational advocate in Buffalo, New York. She devoted her life to mentoring youth, advancing social justice, and working to create more equitable systems within schools and communities. Her efforts included advocating for fair school policies, promoting restorative practices, and supporting initiatives that uplift underrepresented voices. Her legacy continues to inspire meaningful change across generations.
Eligibility & General Information:
The nominee may be an individual, group, or PTA unit.
The nominee must be connected to a PTA-affiliated school within the Western Region.
PTA membership is encouraged, but not required if the nominee’s impact aligns strongly with PTA values.
Each unit may submit one nomination.
Past nominees are eligible; however, previous recipients are not.
The recipient will be recognized at the Western Region PTA Spring Conference.
Nomination Requirements:
Please complete the Western Region PTA Spring Awards Nomination Form and provide a detailed description of the nominee’s contributions.
Nomination Content:
Nominations should clearly demonstrate how the nominee reflects Ina Ferguson’s legacy through:
Promoting inclusive and welcoming environments
Supporting or mentoring individuals from underrepresented or marginalized groups
Leading or contributing to initiatives that advance equity and access
Encouraging diverse participation and representation within the school or community
Creating meaningful and lasting impact through advocacy, outreach, or programming
Specific examples and thoughtful detail are strongly encouraged.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Due Date: April 21st
Purpose: The purpose of this award is to develop leadership by recognizing potential leaders at the grassroots unit or council level. This award is meant to encourage members to take the next step in PTA and become presidents or other PTA leaders. It is not meant to honor a dedicated worker for years of service.
Eligibility: To be eligible for nomination the nominee must:
Be a dues paying member in good standing of a Western Region PTA unit.
Demonstrate leadership potential and show enthusiastic commitment to PTA.
Give his/her time, talent, thinking, experience, energy, and heart.
Western Region board members (past and present), unit and council presidents (past and present) are not eligible since they are already in leadership positions.
Each unit may only submit one candidate.
Application: Complete the Western Region PTA Spring Awards Nomination Form.
Award: The recipient of the award will receive a certificate in honor of his/her continued excellence in leadership to promote the welfare of all children and youth. The recipient's unit will receive a monetary award to be used toward leadership training by helping to send the recipient or another member to a Region, State, or National PTA conference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Due Date: April 21st
Purpose: Western Region PTA offers an award to recognize the achievements of a student from a PTA/PTSA/SEPTSA school within Western Region. The award is not presented for excellence in academics, but rather to the all-around student who participates in school activities, is helpful in school and community, gets along well with everyone, and performs to the best of his/her ability.
Eligibility:
The candidate must be a student in a PTA/PTSA/SEPTSA school.
Qualifications include: Friendliness, Integrity, Enthusiasm and Commitment to task (“The All-around Good Kid”).
Each unit may submit only one application to the Western Region Awards Committee.
Application: Complete the Western Region PTA Spring Awards Nomination Form.
Award: The recipient will receive a $100 check and a plaque to be presented at the Western Region PTA Spring Conference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Due Date: April 21st
This award recognizes an individual, group, or organization whose dedication, service, and commitment have made a meaningful difference within the Western Region community. It celebrates those who consistently support children and families and reflect the mission and values of PTA through their everyday impact.
Eligibility & General Information:
The nominee must be actively involved in making a positive difference for children and families within the Western Region
This nominee may be an individual, group, or organization
Impact may be demonstrated through service, support, engagement, or community involvement
This award is intended to recognize local contributions and community impact
The selected nominee will be recognized at the Western Region PTA Spring Conference
Nomination Requirements:
Please complete the Western Region PTA Spring Awards Nomination Form and provide a detailed description of the nominee’s contributions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In keeping with the policy of the Western Region PTA, these awards may or may not be granted at the discretion of the committee if, in the opinion of the committee, no candidate sufficiently meets the criteria.
A unit in good standing:
Officer Information is up to date in MemberHub.
Bylaws are current.
Membership payments are on time.
Filing of 990 current
Adheres to the Purposes and Basic Policies of the PTA.