Student Representative

Apply To Be A Student Representative At State PTA!

For over half a century, the California State PTA has invited student representatives to serve on its board of managers and represent students across California.

Are you a student who is passionate about your education?

Do you enjoy volunteering and collaborating with people?

Do you see yourself as a voice for students?

You are invited to join!

Student representatives gain the opportunity to collaborate with adults in a volunteer organization--gaining lifelong skills.

Students can participate on many committees and Commissions:

    Communications
    Member Services
    Community Concerns,
    Education
    Health
    Parent Involvement

Student representatives must be at least 15 years of age by the beginning of their term (July 1st); the maximum age is 21.

The student representative position is a one-year term. Students may re-apply for additional terms, so long as the qualifications are met.

If you wish to apply, you need to fill out the application form, and you and your parents must sign the release form.

In addition, please supply:

Two letters of recommendation from a teacher, administrator, or community member
A letter of recommendation from your PTA/PTSA president.

You also must conduct an interview with your district president, who will also fill out a recommendation form.

All of this information must be in the State PTA office by the March 15th deadline (postmarks not accepted).

Being a student representative on the California State PTA is an exciting volunteer opportunity that will allow you to offer a significant contribution to the organization and will introduce you to many life-long skills, not to mention that it's something unique for college résumés.

If you are interested in applying, please let your district PTA president know, and he/she will be able to assist you.

GUIDELINES FOR SERVING AS A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE CALIFORNIA STATE PTA BOARD OF MANAGERS

The California State PTA Board of Managers is composed of elected officers, parliamentarian, director of legislation, immediate past president, commissioners, legislation advocates, consultants, district presidents, specialists and all National PTA board members residing in California. Student representatives serve a one-year term on the California State PTA Board of Managers.

You must be a member of a PTA/PTSA in California. You should be familiar with the Purposes of the PTA, the Mission Statement of PTA in California and basic information.
You should recognize that the work of the California State PTA Board of Managers is quite different from that of a unit PTA/PTSA. You should understand the amount of time and type of involvement required as a member of the California State PTA Board of Managers.

Student Involvement on the California State PTA Board of Managers

As a student representative of the California State PTA Board of Managers, you are expected to participate in all board business and activities. You can play a valuable role by:

Sharing student perspectives with adults who work on behalf of young people.
Providing student views on current issues and concerns.
Accepting assignments (e.g., writing articles, helping to prepare materials) and following through in a timely manner.
Helping other young people to understand the operation and the structure of a large, statewide, nonprofit organization.
Informing students at the unit level of the goals and activities of the California State PTA.

Student Attendance/Participation

The California State PTA Board of Managers meets in July, October, January, February/March and May. Each meeting is usually held Thursday and Friday except for the April/May meeting, which includes the annual convention and runs through Saturday. You could be asked to attend additional meetings outside of the board of managers meetings in conjunction with committees/task forces. You are expected to:

Attend all meetings of commissions and committees to which they are assigned.
Fulfill commission and committee assignments and responsibilities.
Attend all California State PTA Board of Managers meetings.

Student Expenses

Members of the California State PTA Board of Managers are reimbursed for expenses for all Board of Managers meetings. Hotel accommodations are paid directly by the California State PTA.

Reimbursable expenses include:

Transportation to/from the meetings by car (35 cents per mile), train, airfare and shuttle service.
Meals (a per diem of $47, with a breakdown of $10 breakfast, $12 lunch and $25 dinner).

You may obtain reimbursement in one of two ways:

Before the meeting: submit a "Request for Advance" form to the California State PTA office with documentation to be provided after actual expenditure of the advanced funds.
Following the meeting: submit an "Expense Statement" form to the California State PTA office with attached receipts and documentation.