Convention 2005

2005 California State PTA Convention

April 28 – May 1, 2005
Thursday through Sunday,
Sacramento Convention Center

GENERAL INFORMATION

REGISTER NOW to save time and money! Take advantage of the Early Registration Fee and reserve a seat at the conferences of your choice. By registering early you’ll save time in the registration line and receive additional information that will help you plan your trip, pack your suitcase, and make your convention experience the best it can be. You will return home with new ideas, improved skills and recharged energy. Convention is an excellent PTA investment, the ultimate leadership experience, and a legitimate PTA budget expense.

CONVENTION ACTIVITIES

All convention activities and special events will take place at the Sacramento Convention Center and the Sheraton Grand, Sacramento. Some very special activities have been planned to round out your convention experience.

Pre-Convention Conferences
This year Pre-Convention Conferences will be held on Thursday, April 28. Convention delegates will be able to choose to attend one of these conferences at no additional charge. These conferences are an opportunity for delegates to get an early start on basic training in topics such as Unit President, Finance, Understanding Public Education and Parliamentary Procedure. Seating is limited so be sure to choose the conference of your choice when you register.

General Meetings
Business of the organization occurs during general meeting sessions held each day of convention. It is the responsibility of each delegate to attend all general meetings. These meetings are an opportunity for delegates to elect officers, approve bylaw amendments and adopt resolutions. Meetings are filled with motivating speakers, exciting entertainment and award presentations.

Erik Wahl will be the keynote speaker at the General Meeting on Friday April, 29. Wahl is a recognized artist and speaker who inspires professionals to achieve greater levels of performance. His consulting firm, The Wahl Group, challenges organizations to implement breakthrough thinking techniques to accomplish extraordinary results. Erik’s unique understanding of vision traces back to his experience as an artist and his artwork can be seen in executive offices around the world. Erik shares his powerful message with audiences from coast to coast.....

Conferences
Choose from 80 conferences scheduled during four sessions on April 29 & 30. The wide range of topics offers something for everyone – hands-on activities, advanced topic sessions, and specific conferences for the newly elected PTA volunteer and for the veteran PTA volunteer.

Please list the first and second conference choices for all four sessions on the registration form. There will be an opportunity to exchange tickets for another conference on-site on a spaceavailable basis. Tickets will be required for admission to all conferences.

Spanish translations will be offered for selected conferences in each session if request is made through Early Registration. Please refer to the information contained in this book, or visit the California State PTA Website www.capta.org for more information.

Students
The student state board representatives invite all students to participate in the Student Orientation on April 28 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Plan on attending the student conferences on April 29 & 30 specially designed for you by the student state board representatives.

Starry, Starry Night
A fun-filled evening is planned for delegates to socialize and relax. This year’s special event will be held on Saturday, April 30 in the Sacramento Convention Center Ballroom from 7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Enjoy a buffet dinner, dancing and fun. Tickets are available for $25.00 per person. Be sure to order your ticket on your registration form. Seating is limited. Tickets will be available on-site for $35.00 at convention registration on a spaceavailable basis. Shuttle service will be provided to and from this event to PTAhotels except the Hyatt and the Sheraton from 6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. on April 30.

Exhibits
Plan to stop by the exhibit hall and visit with our exhibitors who offer a variety of ideas, products and services. Stop and shop at the District PTAbooths that sell unique PTApins, buttons and stationery.

Join the Founders Circle
Help the California State PTA realize the vision of our founders. Contribute to the Founders Circle and receive a special ribbon at the Founders Circle Booth in the lobby. For more information on the Founders Circle visit www.capta.org.

PTA Store
The PTA Store offers you an opportunity to purchase supplies, 2005 Convention items, a variety of unique PTA/PTSA items to keep as a souvenir or give as a gift to dedicated volunteers. Items will sell out so plan to shop early and often.The official California State PTA licensed vendors are AwardSource and Total Promotions, Inc. You may also visit the California State PTA Store at www.captastore.com or call 877.841.2393 to place an order.

VOTING PRIVILEGES

Unit Delegates
A delegate representing a unit is eligible to vote at the California State PTA convention provided the unit is in good standing. A unit in good standing is one that has paid dues and insurance to the California State PTA by March 31, 2005 (California State PTA Toolkit, section 2.8.1b).

Each unit in good standing is entitled to be represented at the California State PTA convention by the president or presidentelect or an elected alternate and one additional elected delegate (California State PTA Bylaws, Article XV, Section 5). The number of delegates to which a unit is entitled is determined by the total memberships recorded in the California State PTA office by March 31, 2005 (California State PTA Toolkit, section 2.8.1b). The number of delegates is set forth in Article XV, Section 5, of the California State PTA Bylaws. Each unit of more than 250 members may be represented by additional elected delegates or their alternates (California State PTA Bylaws, Article XV, Section 5) as follows:

A delegate shall not be allowed to represent more than one unit and must have been a member of that unit at least thirty (30) days prior to convention or a member of a feeder school, where applicable. This shall not apply to units organized within ninety (90) days prior to convention (California State PTA Bylaws, Article XV, Section 5). Voting delegates will be issued a voting card at registration, these cards are non-transferable and not replaceable. It is the responsibility of each voting delegate to ensure they receive this card at registration.

Nonvoting Registrants
Nonvoting registrants will receive convention badges and bags; may attend all meetings and conferences; and have all the privileges of a delegate except the right to make motions, debate, vote or speak at a microphone. When a PTA has more members who wish to attend than the number of delegates to which the unit, council or district is entitled, they may pre-register or register on-site as full-time or one day nonvoting registrants.

Student Registrants Under Age 18
A student member under 18 years of age wishing to register MUST present a current 2004-2005 PTA membership card and a Parent’s Approval and Consent to Treatment form signed by the parent(s) or guardian(s). A copy of the form is available from your district PTA.

Council Delegates
Council delegates shall be as follows: one delegate or alternate elected from each council executive board, in addition to the council president or president-elect or elected alternate for a maximum of two voting delegates per council (California State PTA Bylaws, Article XV, Section 3c).

District Delegates
District presidents register as members of the California State PTA Board of Managers at the pre-convention Board of Managers meeting.

In addition to the district president, district delegates shall be a maximum of three delegates or their alternates elected from each district executive board, one of the delegates being the president-elect in an election year. (California State PTA Bylaws, Article XV, Section 3b).

TRANSFERS AND NAME CHANGES

If a delegate registers in advance and then finds they are unable to attend convention, they may transfer that registration to someone else. Units that register delegates A, B, C, etc., should designate names of persons who will attend convention as soon as known. It is recommended that upon receipt of the barcoded confirmation letter, which will be sent from your district PTA, the unit president or participant submit the name corrections, transfers or conference choice changes to their district convention chair as soon as possible to expedite the registration process at convention. Changes may be made on-site, however, conferences may not be available for exchange and may be changed on a space-available basis only.

Transfers and Delegates A, B, C,...who have not submitted their changes to their district convention chairman, must present a current 2004-2005 PTA membership card and bar-coded confirmation letter at convention registration in Sacramento. If no membership card is presented, then registrant must pay the non-member fee and will not be eligible to vote in the general meetings.

REGISTRATION FOR NEW UNITS AND COUNCILS

Special guidelines are necessary for recently organized units and councils awaiting acceptance of membership into the California State PTA at the pre-convention Board of Managers meeting in April.

Applications for membership into the California State PTA by new units and councils will be accepted prior to the pre-convention Board of Managers meeting. Dues must be in the California State PTA office and the bylaws must be approved by the California State PTA parliamentarian prior to the California State PTA pre-convention Board of Managers meeting.

Delegates and nonvoting registrants from new units or councils who have not yet been accepted by the Board of Managers should register on-site. These registrants should bring their 2004-2005 PTA membership card and the early registration rate fee to the On-Site Registration Booth. Please make checks payable to the California State PTA.

March 2005 Convention Chronicle

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