Before your PTA executive committee prepares an annual budget, submit a proposed budget to carry out legislative activities for your PTA. List the needs and requested amount and give the list to your president and treasurer. Effective legislative work requires some training and current updates on legislation. Be certain to budget for both, as well as providing a means to meet and communicate with policy makers.
Listed below are items to consider when preparing a budget.
Utah PTA Advocacy Conference, usually held in the fall
- Registration, travel, and accommodations (when applicable)
- Legislative training for you or your designee
Utah PTA Leadership Convention, usually held in May
- Registration, travel and accommodations (when applicable)
- Legislative Vice President
- President/President-elect
- Other board members
Utah PTA Day at the Capitol, usually held in February
- Registration, travel and accommodations (when applicable)
- Legislative Vice President/designee
- President/President-elect
- Other board members
Meetings with legislators prior to legislative session
- Open house or luncheon to meet legislators
- Printed materials, invitations, etc.
- Food, where applicable
- 3 x 5 cards
- Small water bottles
- Pens
- Table coverings
Meet the Candidates Night, usually held in even-numbered years
- Mailings and advertising
- Printed information/programs
- Rent for facilities, where applicable
- 3 x 5 cards
- Small water bottles
- Pens
- Table coverings
Special advocacy projects determined by your PTA: Utah PTA Guidelines
- PTAs, in their advocacy efforts, are often involved in school bond elections or PTAs may advocate to get a crosswalk or crossing guard, etc. PTAs are involved in Meet the Candidate events for school boards and other elected officials. (If there is a Meet the Candidate event, ALL candidates for the positions properly registered for inclusion on the ballot MUST be invited to the event.)
- Advocacy efforts often require printing and distribution of materials and community meetings. Before PTAs become involved in any advocacy effort, contact the principal to determine if the district has any policy in place regarding distribution of material or the use of the school building.
- Absent district policy:
1. If a newsletter, email, website, blog, etc. are the communication tools of the PTA, it is permissible to use the tool to share information on issues or events regarding any advocacy effort.
2. Normal distribution methods used for communication are permitted.
NOTE: It is not permissible to campaign for, support, or oppose an individual using the name of PTA.