What is a Region?
Utah PTA divides the state into 20 geographic PTA regions, each served by a region director. In large districts, the region director works with area councils to meet the needs of local PTAs as well as offer support and training. In regions where there are over 10,000 PTA members or 50 local units, a region can also have an associate director. Both the region director and associate director serve as members of the Utah PTA Board of Directors and are elected by and represent their region.
What is a council?
- A council is the key link in the line of communication between the local PTA and the region, Utah PTA, and National PTA.
- A council is three or more local PTAs/PTSAs organized under the authority of Utah PTA which operates under bylaws approved by Utah PTA. The council board is composed of officers as stated in the council bylaws (Article VIII Section 3).
Duties and responsibilities of both the region and council?
- Strengthening local PTAs
- Developing leadership through training
- Promoting membership
- Cooperating with other organizations to achieve common goals within the PTA framework
- Distributing Utah PTA and region information
- Installing local PTA boards
- Coordinating the efforts of local PTA/PTSAs
- Being a link through which local PTAs can work on projects or programs beyond the scope of a single PTA
- Being a channel of communication between school administrators, school boards, and the general public
- Providing financial training and information
A council and/or region provides:
- An opportunity for local PTAs and their presidents to exchange ideas and plans, and to solve mutual problems through meetings and workshops
- Strength to unite planning efforts to solve community-wide problems affecting children and youth
- An opportunity for study groups to work on specific areas of interest
- Pre- and post-convention training (may be in conjunction with the region)
- Council helps each local PTA to:
- Learn and use good PTA practices and apply National PTA and Utah PTA policies
- Increase its capacity for service to home, school, and community
- Compare methods of work and share problem-solving information and techniques with other PTAs
- Stay informed of legislation affecting children at all times
- Be financially sound
The handbooks below are meant to help you in your job on a region and/or council board.