"To acquire knowledge, one must study: but to acquire wisdom one must observe." -- Marilyn Vos Savant

Dear PTA members in California:

This handbook has been developed to help adults and students achieve successful student involvement in PTA and/or PTSA.

Involving Students in Your PTA/PTSA

Why involve students? Questions and answers about student involvement and your PTA.

1. Why should our PTA unit involve students?

• To put the PTA objective into action.
• To provide a new perspective on your PTA's Ideas and Programs.
• To give students the opportunity to participate in the planning and execution of PTA programs; young people's viewpoints and ideas are essential because all PTA programs focus on youth.
• To give students a better understanding of adults, and adults a better understanding of students, thereby bridging the generation gap.
• To teach students useful skills, such as public speaking, decision making and conflict resolution.
• To introduce students to the legislative process through your PTA's involvement in legislative activities.
• To provide your unit with information regarding student interests and problems. This will make your programs more effective.
• To encourage students' personal growth and development.
• To increase the number of skilled volunteers in your PTA so you can conduct more programs.

2. Can students really handle the responsibility of an elected office or board position?

As with an adult, you will never know how much responsibility a student can handle until you offer it to him or her. The important thing to remember is that students are not inherently less responsible than adults. Furthermore, you should give a student's other commitments (school, household chores or a part-time job) the same consideration you give demands on adult time (career, family or religious activities).

3. Will students try to gain control or "take over" our unit?

This question is frequently asked. The fact is that most students are not interested in having power over other people, but in having the power to help bring about positive social change. They will be much more interested in seeing tangible results from their work than in gaining control of your unit.

4. Are students genuinely interested in PTA involvement?

Students are genuinely interested in improving their communities, their education and the world in which they live. PTA offers them the means to realize these goals through legislative advocacy and programs such as HIV/AIDS education. If belonging to PTA means providing young people with the opportunities to develop leadership skills, communicate with policy-makers and contribute to their schools and to their communities, then they will be sincerely interested.

5. What if we try to recruit students and they aren't interested?

The first few attempts at recruiting students may be difficult. Students may have an outdated image of PTA as an organization composed of mothers baking cookies. As with any group that has previously been excluded from or uninvolved in an organization, you will have to make special efforts to recruit them, and you may have to persevere despite initial setbacks.

6. Aren't the students who would be interested in PTA involvement already too busy with other activities?

This may be the case, at first. You will have to convince students who are already active in their schools and communities to make PTA involvement a priority. But don't focus on recruiting only these students; make an extra effort to reach young people who are less involved or who are more introverted.

Adapted from National PTA "Annual Resources for PTAs"

Our PTA wants to become a PTSA.

How do we do that?

Changing from a PTA to a PTSA requires an amendment to your PTA's bylaws. You will need to read the bylaws to determine the proper procedure. Although it is a simple amendment to add "Student" to "Parent-Teacher Association," making it a "Parent-Teacher-Student Association," the usual procedures governing amendments must be observed. What follows is an example; feel free to adapt it according to your unit's needs.

1. Appoint a committee to study the question. (The Bylaws committee may serve in this capacity.) Invite students to attend the committee meeting(s) at which youth membership will be discussed. Inform the membership committee that you are exploring the question of including students and invite comment. This may be done through your PTA newsletter.
2. At the committee meeting, have an open discussion. Discuss the pros and cons of adding youth members. Meeting times, procedures, and duties of current members may have to be changed to accommodate students. The bylaws should be reviewed to determine if additional changes will be needed.
3. The committee's recommendation, including any amendment(s) to the bylaws, should be made to the executive board.
4. The executive board should vote to recommend the change(s) to the association. The membership must receive 30 days' prior notice of any proposed amendment(s) to the bylaws. This may be done through your newsletter, a special flier, or at an association meeting 30 days (or more) prior to the meeting where the vote will be taken. The motion to amend the bylaws requires -- a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.
5. If members approve the change, the bylaws need to be amended and submitted through channels for approval.
6. After your unit becomes a PTSA, advertise for students to join and attend meetings. This can be done through an article in your school newspaper or by passing out fliers and posters.

Note: Organizing a new unit as PTSA merely requires inserting the word "student" in the appropriate place(s) in the model bylaws.

Remember, it's important that your unit actively involve students. If your commitment is honest and total, it will work. If it is only made because it is the "thing to do" you will have frustration ahead.

Laying the Groundwork

The How-to's of Student Involvement

We want to get students involved in our PTA -- but where do we start?

Our PTSA recruited some high school students last year -- how do we get them on equal footing with adult members?

Here are some practical steps to take toward meaningful student involvement. Although they are listed in chronological order, feel free to adapt them to your PTA's needs. For example, your members might decide to elect students as officers before including them on committees.

STEP #1: Discuss student involvement with your PTA's executive committee or board. To stimulate discussion and thinking, you may want to use the Assessment Questionnaire. (See page 13.)

STEP #2: Once your board has agreed to actively recruit student membership, have it make a formal commitment to youth involvement. This should be in the form of a motion or an action item. Consider whether a change in your bylaws is necessary.

STEP #3: Promote student membership. Advertise PTA, PTA/PTSA activities, the advantages of student participation, etc., to parents, students, teachers, and the community.

STEP #4: Include students on PTA/PTSA committees.

STEP #5: Develop and implement programs that involve both students and adults. Make sure students are included in the initial planning stages as well as in the execution of the projects.

STEP #6: Allow students to have an active voice in your PTA/PTSA. Listen and give consideration to what students have to say, even if their ideas seem unorthodox or impossible to implement.

STEP #7: Elect students as officers. California Civil and Corporate laws allow students to hold office in PTA/PTSA. Consideration should be given to electing students as officers or to having an elected student position on the executive board. Think of student involvement as a process. The first step is learning about the advantages of student involvement and making it a PTA/PTSA priority. The next step is recruiting students and involving them in your programs and projects. Once they are on equal footing with your adult members, you can start training them to work with more complex issues, such as legislative advocacy and policy making.

Adapted from National PTA "Annual Resources for PTAs"

Middle/Junior High School PTSA Guidelines

Things to Consider

A middle/junior high school PTSA can provide enrichment, academic and cultural experiences for all students.

A GUIDING PHILOSOPHY FOR MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PTSAs:

• Blend leadership.
• Shift job responsibilities so students get trained.
• Practice effective positive communication skills, including non-verbal communication.
• Acknowledge and address all concerns.
• Encourage and allow student input in discussions of issues.
• Consider students' viewpoints -- their ideas are valuable.

ADULT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attain the goals of total student involvement by making no distinction between student and adult members. Focus on doing "with" rather than "for."
• Elect student(s) to serve as member(s) of the nominating committee.
• Involve students as equals in planning programs, membership enrollment campaigns, and in all action-oriented committees.
• Identify students by their function (e.g., chairman, co-chairman) and not by a label (student co-chairman).
• Provide an atmosphere of mutual respect between adults and students so that issues may be discussed honestly and resolved fairly.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicate with adult members on the needs and concerns of fellow students. This will ensure clear, swift actions to remedy any problems.
• Interact with other students to plan meaningful programs and activities that will enhance the atmosphere on your campus, and help create a more positive learning environment for all.
• Represent students and PTSA at school board and other civic meetings, wherever student input is needed or requested.

Legal Issues to Consider When Involving Students

MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Students, upon payment of full membership dues, have all membership privileges and responsibilities.

OFFICERS AND CHAIRMEN:

Students who are willing and have the time may serve as officers in the PTSA. According to California's Corporation Code and Civil Law, a student may serve in any PTSA office. All officers, adults and students alike, must perform duties of the office as outlined in the bylaws.

BYLAWS:

When the bylaws are changed making the unit a PTSA, provision should be made for at least one position on the executive board to be filled by a student. Your unit bylaws should be reviewed for further information -- amendments: officers, election of the nominating committee and elections. It is strongly recommended that the entire bylaws -- each article and section -- be reviewed. The Change of Status form and revised bylaws must be sent to the California State PTA through channels (unit to council [if in council] to district PTA to California State PTA).

If a PTA/PTSA plans to have a separate dues structure for students, the dues amount must include the per capita amounts required to be sent through channels to the council (if in council), district PTA, California State PTA and National PTA. All per capita dues must be collected and forwarded through channels.

NOMINATING PROCEDURES:

At least one student should serve as a member of the nominating committee elected at an association meeting. When considering a person for any office it is always best to make sure the person understands all of the duties of the position. Your unit bylaws and the California State PTA Nominations and Elections Handbook should be consulted for further information. It is the responsibility of the nominating committee chairman to fully explain the duties of a position to a prospective nominee.

FINANCIAL PROCEDURES:

Checking Accounts -- In accordance with PTA policy two signatures are required on all checks issued for payment. Students may be signatories on the PTA/PTSA account as long as they have been approved as one of the signatures by the association and it has been noted in the minutes of the association. Your local bank should always be contacted if you have questions about this issue.

Contracts or Binding Procedures -- All contracts or binding commitments of the association must always be approved and voted on by the association in accordance with PTA policy. Refer also to PTA Financial Procedures Made Easier.

Bonding Insurance -- If your PTA/PTSA has bonding insurance you will need to check with your bonding insurance company for information regarding bonding insurance and students.

Recruitment and Retention of Students

Some helpful hints about recruiting student members:

• Ask for help. Most students are willing to help if asked.
• Stress PTA results. Students need a mental picture of how things in their schools and communities will be improved by their participation.
• Publicize all PTA/PTSA achievements, benefits, and upcoming activities through surveys, literature, forums, or social events.
• Set up a bulletin board with pictures and notices of PTA/PTSA programs in a high-traffic area of the school or community.
• Keep people who make referrals, such as counselors, administrators, and teachers, informed of PTA/PTSA programs for students.
• Sometimes parents also must be "recruited." Telephone parents to explain what their child will be doing or make a home visit to meet parents personally.
• Make a presentation before the student council stressing the advantage of PTA/PTSA membership for students. Enlist the council's support and listen to members' ideas for involving students.
• If possible, start with a core of students who are already involved in PTA/PTSA. Use themas your recruitment/public relations team.
• Have a student be membership chairperson or assist with your membership drive. Encourage student members to recruit their peers.
• Emphasize that PTA/PTSA can be fun, using logos, T-shirts, music, and drama to spark interest.
• Hold "each one reach one" recruitment drives in which every student member agrees to bring another student into PTA/PTSA. Use PTA leadership materials, videotapes, legislative programs, etc., to show what PTA/PTSA does. o Make students realize that their membership is an integral part of your PTA/PTSA, not just a temporary goal. Students should be part of the recruitment process as well as its result.
• Conduct a specific, meaningful, short-term, school-wide project, the success of which will garner interest in a more intensive PTA/PTSA experience.
• Conduct campaigns to educate students about the needs they can meet. For example, provide information about the PTA's HIV/AIDS education programs and legislative initiatives.
• Make sure the administration and school commitment to PTA/PTSA is clear to all students. Feeling that PTA/PTSA is a meaningful part of the total school experience can be a motivating factor.
• Show role model support by using "star" endorsers. These "stars" might include school leaders or popular teachers who participate in PTA/PTSA activities.
• Demonstrate support by providing public awards for student involvement via news media, announcements in student newspapers, assemblies, etc.
• Concentrate on attracting students who might not ordinarily participate.
• Show potential recruits how PTA/PTSA activities relate to special interests such as art, music, writing, and conservation.
• Stress the following basic benefits:
• Feeling good about helping the school and community.
• Being with friends.
• Learning new skills.

Adapted from National PTA "Annual Resources for PTAs"

Some helpful hints about retaining student members:

• Provide students with the means to evaluate their PTA/PTSA experiences. This can be done through written evaluations or group discussions. Make sure students see that steps are taken to address their criticisms or requests.
• Avoid segregating student members. A PTA/PTSA isn't involving students if all it does is set up a "special" committee or office for them. Students should be full members, enjoying full privileges, paying full dues and accepting full membership and responsibility.
• Everyone must have the attitude that student involvement is going to work--that it will succeed. Students, parents, and teachers must be willing to work together.
• Practice effective communication. Be understanding, patient, and sensitive. Just as youth have much to learn from adults, adults have a great deal to learn from youth. Create a supportive atmosphere in which students and adults listen to one another, express their views openly and share their expertise.
• Implement a student recognition award system. Students deserve to be recognized and rewarded for their contributions to PTA/PTSA. A system of recognition and awards creates a climate of respect and value for PTA/PTSA involvement and motivates students to continue their hard work and dedication to PTA. For this to work, however, fair criteria must be developed. For example, students should be rewarded for leadership, vision, and dedication instead of for "token" activities such as selling candy or working at carnival booths.

Students can be recognized and rewarded in many ways, including:

• Selecting student members of the week, month or year and promoting their accomplishments.
• Developing a "clubby" atmosphere by giving students buttons, special jackets or T-shirts. Students could wear these around school and at community events.
• Inviting active student members to speak to students in other schools and to community groups about their experiences.
• Holding an annual ceremony, such as a dinner, to recognize PTA and its student members.
• Writing letters of recommendation to college admissions offices or prospective employers based on a student's PTA/PTSA involvement.
• Using the media -- school bulletin boards, school yearbook photos, radio, TV, newspapers, and magazines -- to feature stories on student successes in helping to solve school and community problems.
• Giving outstanding student members special school awards.
• Using outstanding student members as expert advisors for new PTA/PTSA projects.

When implementing these ideas, be careful not to create a clique mentality, particularly between upper, middle, and lower income students.

• Implement a "student support system" in which veteran student and adult members provide new recruits with:
• motivation and encouragement to overcome challenges and obstacles encountered in PTA/PTSA activities.
• the foundation and direction for student growth and development.
• an outlet for the stress, emotion, and frustration that can accompany working with community organizations, school boards, etc.

It is important to closely monitor the members of the support system and ensure that they serve as resources for students, not supervisors.

Adapted from National PTA "Annual Resources for PTAs"

Idea File -- Proof Positive That Student Involvement Works!

Appeal to students and others by coordinating interesting programs or projects and by bringing up real issues and solving real problems.

• Have students be assistants to PTA/PTSA officers. This will provide students with valuable leadership skills and with opportunities to offer youth perspectives on pertinent issues. Students can also serve as members of the nominating committee and be nominated for office.
• Ask student members to study a legislative bill and present their research to your PTA's/PTSA's board. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the PTA's/PTSA's involvement with legislative issues and to learn how the legislative process works. Students can also prepare and present testimony for a school board, state legislature, or Congress.
• Establish a peer counseling program. With proper training, students can assist each other with personal problems, stress, drug education, etc. Contact professional social workers, counselors, and psychologists for assistance.
• Develop a tutoring program. In addition to tutoring each other, students may wish to tutor at a local elementary or middle school. o Ask students to assist in writing and designing your PTA's/PTSA's newsletter. Add a student focus column written by students. Many young people will find it easier to express themselves on paper.
• Encourage student involvement and activities in the community. Students can volunteer in many capacities. Try organizing an environmental clean-up day.
• Ask for students' opinions regarding your school's instructional program. Include students in this process by asking how the students could evaluate and improve their school.
• Plan a career night or college night for students and their parents.
• Work with other student groups to plan an orientation for incoming freshmen. At the meeting, explain PTA/PTSA membership, programs and projects, and make suggestions about how to involve students. Ask students for ideas, too.
• Work with students to organize art fairs (Reflections entries could be included), talent shows, school financial aid workshops, rsum writing workshops, and health fairs.
• Ask other student groups to help coordinate PTSA projects. Make sure they are involved from the initial planning stages and in all aspects of the events.
• Survey the student population to assess their views of and ideas for PTA/PTSA.
• Organize events for a chemical-free graduation night. Plans could include dancing, movies, and games in a festive atmosphere.
• Recognize students for their achievements in both academic and nonacademic fields.
• Propose a "bridge the gap" dance for both young and old.
• Sponsor a breakfast at the start of the year to welcome students back to school. Invite the faculty. Students and other PTA/PTSA members can volunteer to serve the meal together. This is a great way to involve students from the very beginning of the year. o Have students conduct an informal program for parents and other concerned adults so that the adult community can see youth in action.
• Have a student serve as chair of a committee. Encourage students to work as equals with other PTA/PTSA members. This will help them be active unit members.
• Encourage participation on panels or forums that are of interest to them. This will provide essential student perspectives on issues that affect them.

No matter which projects you decide to work on with students, it is essential that you include them in the planning as well as in the execution of the events.

Sample Letter Inviting Students to Join PTA/PTSA

PTA/PTSA Letterhead

Dear Student:

Do you want to make a difference in your school, home and community? Do you wish you could have more say in what happens in your school? Do you wish parents and teachers understood your needs better? Do you think adults should know more about the views of students on subjects like teen sexuality and alcohol and other drug use? Do you want to work on an equal footing with adults -- have equal rights and responsibilities?

You may not realize it, but the PTA/PTSA offers you these kinds of opportunities. The PTA is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world. Its 7 million members range from parents and teachers to administrators, students, community leaders and senior citizens.

Too often, adults attempt to decide what is best for young people without consulting them. The PTA/PTSA is one of the few youth-focused organizations that actually gives its student members equal authority, equal responsibility -- and an equal vote.

Through PTA/PTSA involvement, you can gain leadership experience and learn new skills, such as conflict resolution and goal setting. You can also improve your school and community by organizing and participating in PTA/PTSA programs, addressing such topics as HIV/AIDS education, corporal punishment and arts education.

Join (name of _________________ ) PTA/PTSA. Your perspective will be invaluable.

NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD:
(date, time)
(place)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
(name)
(phone)

Sample Calendar of Student Involvement Activities

September

October

• Schedule a college application night.
• Observe Red Ribbon Week.

November

• Schedule a PSAT, SAT and ACT preparation night.
• Schedule a career awareness night.
• Elect a student to the PTA/PTSA nominating committee.

December

• Participate as a PTA/PTSA unit in a community service project, such as volunteering at a shelter or soup kitchen.
• Observe World AIDS Day.

January

• Organize student projects involving legislative issues and activities.
• Elect a student to be one of your delegates to the California State PTA convention.
• Encourage seniors to apply for the Graduating High School Senior Scholarship.

February

• Have students help organize your Founders Day events.
• Encourage students to apply for the student board member position on the
• California State PTA Board of Managers (incoming juniors/seniors only).*

March

• Sponsor a school-wide "spring clean-up day."

April

• Have students hold an election for "Teacher of the Year."
• Encourage students who will be delegates to the California State PTA convention to attend the district PTA orientation.
• Observe Earth Day.

May

• Attend the California State PTA convention.
• Hold a banquet honoring students and their commitment to PTA/PTSA.

June

• Have students help choose the next year's membership theme.
• Work with students to plan next year's activities.

*Applications available from your PTA district president or from the California State PTA office.

Assessment Questionnaire

1. Does your PTA/PTSA feel student involvement is valuable?
[Yes]    [No]

2. Does your PTA/PTSA allow student membership?
[Yes]    [No]

3. Do students serve on committees or on your PTA's/PTSA's Board?
[Committees]    [Board]

4. Do PTA/PTSA meetings conflict with students' classes or other activities (i.e., team practice, band rehearsal, etc.)?
[Yes]    [No]

5. Does your school's staff support student involvement?
[Yes]    [No]

6. Does your PTA/PTSA offer programs and activaties that interest students and encourage their participation?
[Yes]    [No]

7. Does your PTA/PTSA allow students to hold elected offices?
[Yes]    [No]

8. Does your PTA's/PTSA's leadership development program address student involvement and participation?
[Yes]    [No]

Don't worry if you answered "no" to most of the questions -- this is not a test. For all the questions that you answered "no," try to form an action plan for improving student involvement and for changing your answers to "yes."

Adapted from National PTA "Annual Resources for PTAs"

Students Involved -- PTSA

"IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PTAs TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EFFECTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUTH."

Why have students involved?

• To provide a new perspective on the PTA's/PTSA's ideas and programs.
• To give students the opportunity to participate.
• To put the OBJECTS of the PTA Mission Statement into action.
• To provide information on student interests and problems.
• To give students and adults a better understanding of each other.
• To teach students useful skills.
• To introduce students to the legislative process through PTA's/PTSA's involvement in legislative activities.

Hints to recruit and retain student members:

• Publicize PTA/PTSA achievements and the advantages of student participation.
• Show how PTA/PTSA activities relate to student interests.
• Stress the following benefits:
• Feeling good about helping the school and community.
• Being with friends.
• Learning new skills.
• Ask for student involvement and help.
• Encourage and allow students to have an active voice in your PTA/PTSA and listen to what they have to say.
• Include students on PTA/PTSA committees and elect them as officers.

WORKSHEET FOR LOCAL PTA/PTSA STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

WHAT IS STUDENT INVOLVEMENT?

Student involvement is inclusion and active participation of students in the work of the PTA/PTSA organization. Involving students is a commitment by parents, teachers, and students to teamwork -- a process to help train youth to be tomorrow's parents and community leaders. The California State PTA approves of student participation in PTA/PTSA, as determined by the association.

WHAT TO DO

• Form a Student Involvement Committee whose membership includes students and adults.
• Survey the school community to find out what type of activities would encourage student involvement.
• Develop a plan for student involvement. Set reasonable goals based on what you need to accomplish.
• Use the resource list in this worksheet for materials and ideas.
• Develop activities which will include and be of interest to students and adults.
• Seek input from all students -- not just those already considered "leaders" in the student body.
• Work together cooperatively
• Upon payment of dues, students are considered full members -- same privileges, responsibilities and credibility.
• Students who are willing and have the time may serve as officers in the PTA/PTSA.
• Keep open lines of communication.
• Consider student opinions seriously.
• Reach out through other groups to co-sponsor events or activities.
• To student leadership and school organizations/clubs.
• To other student-focused groups in the community.
• To parent advisory committees.
• To other PTA/PTSA units, councils or districts.
• All officers, adults and students alike, must perform duties of their office as outlined in the bylaws.
• Meet at a time the majority can attend; be considerate of schedules so students and adults can be equally represented.
• Respect all opinions.
• Practice effective communication and listening skills.
• Be prepared for students to have an active voice in the PTA/PTSA.
• Publicize your activities through your PTA/PTSA newsletter, flyers, marquees, local, local newspapers, personal telephone calls, media spots and other newsletters. Promote positive student involvement through media campaigns (posters, etc.).
• Evaluate activities/accomplishments at least once a year. This will show how students were actively involved, and how students can continue to be involved in PTA/PTSA activities.

RESOURCES

National PTA
Attention: Youth Membership Conference
330 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60611-3690
(312) 670-NPTA
http://www.pta.org

California State PTA
2327 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95816-5014
Telephone: (916) 440-1985
Fax: (916) 440-1986
http://www.capta.org

California State PTA Open the Schoolhouse Doors Action Guide -- Contact the California State PTA office or your PTA district president for information.

"Guidelines for Student Forums" from California State PTA Guidelines Notebook.

Publications available from the Catalog of PTA Materials:

• Student Involvement Handbook
• Outreach: Making a Place in Your PTA for Everyone
• Involvement Makes a Difference brochure
• Membership Guide: A Tool for Creating a Successful Membership Campaign for your School and Community

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT STATEMENT

It is the responsibility of PTAs to create opportunities for the effective involvement of youth.

OBJECTS OF THE PTA

• To promote the welfare of children and youth in the home, school, community, and place of worship.
• To raise the standard of home life.
• To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
• To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.
• To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of PTA in California is three-fold:

• To support and speak on behalf of all children and youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental agencies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;
• To assist parents in developing the skills they need to nurture children;
• To promote parent and public involvement in schools and communities

Adopted by California State PTA Board of Managers, November 1974
Revised July 1992

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