Newly elected PTA officers may be installed in a ceremony, but this formality is not necessary. (Terms of office are designated in the bylaws.) Each local PTA may develop its own installation ceremony, if it chooses to have one, or adapt a borrowed one. If desired, create a handout with the Utah PTA mission statement as a bookmark, in a frame, or on a card/magnet for each of the officers being installed. A sample bookmark is attached below. This bookmark may also be purchased at the Utah PTA office or in the boutique at convention.
Utah PTA Mission: To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
Vision of Utah PTA:
- Advocate by speaking on behalf of all children and youth in schools, in the community, before governmental bodies, and before other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
- Develop programs, resources, and leadership skills that enhance the lives of all children, youth, and their families.
- Engage the public in united and equitable efforts to secure the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of all children and youth.
The installing officers:
- Region director will install the councils at council meeting. Utah PTA will also come and install if requested. Council/region will install local PTA officers.
- As a local president you need to let the council/region know when you want them to come and install you. This can be done at your election meeting.
Example installation ceremony:
- Have the outgoing officers and commissioners stand and thank them for their dedication and service to the children.
- Name each new officer and position in turn.
Example for local:
- Will you each serve and unitedly work toward the fulfillment of Utah PTA’s purposes and mission in the service of children and youth? Answer: “I will.”
- With a strong belief in your several abilities, with renewed hope for (name of school) PTA, I now declare you duly installed officers for (recite years to be served).
Example for council/region:
When you first became a PTA member, you showed you cared about children by choosing to join. Then as a local PTA board member you showed your dedication to children by choosing to lead. You are showing commitment to work for the future of our children and PTA by choosing to serve. I know each of you will do your best to work for everychild.onevoice.
The vision is to keep PTA strong - to ensure that those of you who accepted this opportunity to serve see the broad picture of what PTA can do for children - of what PTA is doing for children - of what PTA will do for all children.
My challenge to you is to keep children the focus of your PTA service. Remember to enhance parent involvement - in your homes, schools, and communities. Everyone must be willing to work for each child to reach his/her full potential.
May you enter upon your office with the steadfast purpose of serving as only you can serve. Do you accept the challenge and charge? Please signify by saying, “I do.” And do you members of PTA accept the challenge to work for every child, with one voice? Please signify by saying, “I do.”
It is my pleasure to declare you duly installed officers of the ________________________________ PTA/PTSA (recite years to be served).
If applicable, hand out the Utah PTA mission statement, ask them to read it often and to remember that they are serving the children.