California State PTA gratefully acknowledges Deutsche Bank for its generous support of this section

Advocacy

Advocacy ideas to inspire from the winning entries for My PTA/PTSA Awards

2008
TEAM BUILDING: Capistrano Unified Council of PTAs

Driving force: TEAM Capistrano Council Legislation, made up of 54 representatives from more than 50 schools within the Council.

Action Steps:

  • Trained all of its representatives in effective advocacy.
  • Created a monthly newsletter that was distributed to all units.
  • Prepared an advocacy agenda each year to articulate the goals of the council.
  • Included the agenda in a brochure about the schools to inform local, state, and federal elected officials of Council priorities.

2008
TRAFFIC TROUBLES: Fremont Council of PTAs

Driving Force: The Traffic Safety Committee of Fremont Council.

The Issue: To bring better signage and improved technology to traffic and crosswalk controls around local schools.

Action Steps:

  • Documented and researched traffic safety issues around Fremont schools.
  • Met with members of the city council to raise awareness.
  • Participated in a public review of Fremont’s Pedestrian Master Plan.
  • Advocated traffic calming measures at all schools for pedestrian safety.

2008
AIRING DISSENT: South High PTSA, Torrance Council

Driving Force: The PTSA teamed up with a student club, the South High School L.I.F.E Team (Landfill Improvement for the Environment).

The Issue: Reducing air pollution from the Palos Verdes Landfill, a toxic waste dump.

Action Steps:

  • Lobbied local, state, and federal agencies and elected officials.
  • Created sample letters for community members asking the county sanitation district to prepare a focused Environmental Impact Report for the project.

Success: As a direct result of the efforts of the students and PTSA, the sanitation district delayed a vote on moving forward with a new landfill.

2007
CAN-DO FOCUS: Corky McMillin PTA, Chula Vista Council

Driving Force: McMillin PTA’s Ability Awareness Program.

The Issue: Inclusion efforts for the disabled.

Action Steps:

  • Implemented an awareness building program focused on helping the school community understand and be sensitive to the needs of those with disabilities.

Success: The school has become a more welcoming and supportive environment for those with disabilities.

2007
EQUAL REACTION: San Ramon Valley PTA Council

Driving Force: The council’s Legislative Advocacy committee.

The Issue: Equalization dollars.

Action Steps:

  • Set priorities each year.
  • Communicated these priorities communitywide online.
  • Sent letters (more than 7000) to legislators.

Success: Community leaders said the Council’s efforts played a major role in getting equalization back in the budget and helped make the decision to raise the amount previously drafted.

2006
ONLINE REFERENCE: Park Village Elementary PTA, Palomar Council

The Driving Force: The PTA’s decision to arm parents with information to be informed voters.

Action Steps:

  • Dedicated a page on the PTA website to concise, clear, well-organized information.
  • Provided resources for further advocacy, including downloadable PowerPoint presentations, newspaper articles, letter-writing campaign information, and links to elected representatives.
  • Gave links to other educational resources, such as EdSource, California State PTA, and Rand Reports.

2006
PROACTIVE ACTION: Palo Alto PTA Council, Sixth District

The Driving Force: Palo Alto PTA Council committees.

Action Steps:

  • Unit and council officers attended school board meetings.
  • Council board members served on districtwide committees for emergency preparedness, safety, nutrition, and assessment.
  • Council sponsored candidate forums.
  • Supported, and was instrumental in passing, facilities bond and parcel tax measures.
  • Developed letter-writing campaigns and speaker events on legislative issues.
  • Worked with many locally elected state representatives.
  • Promoted advocacy efforts with its website, regular eNews email bulletins, and a monthly parent newsletter, reaching nearly 10,000 PTA members.

2005
ALLERGY ALERT: Pleasanton Council

Driving Force: The Council, in its first full year of operation as a council (2003-2004).

Action Steps:

  • Determined the council’s top priority would be advocacy.
  • Hosted an all-candidates forum.
  • Prepared legislative bulletins.
  • Wrote letters to legislators on a number of PTA identified issues.
  • Developed a resolution on life-threatening allergies for the 2004 PTA Convention.
  • Worked with the school district to develop a policy relating to managing life-threatening food allergies at school.

Success: The advocacy team was pleased to have played a part in the passage of SB 1912 (allowing students to carry Epi-pens).

2005
SOBERING STATISTICS: Rim of the World High School PTSA, Mountain Area Council

Driving Force: PTSA Safety Committee.

The Issue: Drug and alcohol use by high school students.

Action Steps:

  • Voted to move beyond existing anti-drug programs provided on campus.
  • Took concerns to the school district board of trustees.
  • Adopted a resolution presented to the trustees.
  • Formed a safety committee to research the issue and recommend actions to be taken. Two representatives from the high school were given seats on this committee.
  • Designated PTSA members to attend community meetings with local law enforcement and county government officials to ensure support for this program.