FOUNDERS DAY February 17th

Founders Day is a perfect time to renew the dedication to the Purposes of the PTA that were defined by PTA’s Founders more than a century ago. Each year in February, PTA honors the three founders as well as past and present PTA leaders. Through special programs and events, PTA also attempts to increase the awareness of its members and the community by highlighting achievements, activities, projects and goals.

The Founders Day celebration was created in 1910 by Mrs. David O. Mears, a charter member of the National Congress of Mothers founded by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst in Washington, DC, February 17, 1897. The Founders Day observance has continued through the change of organization names in 1925 to the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, and the uniting in 1970 with the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, founded in 1926 by Selena Sloan Butler, to become the National PTA (A Brief History:Working Together for Children Since 1987, 1.1.6, 4).

Issues concerning immigrants, homeless children and families, the unemployed and the uneducated, and numerous health and safety concerns still need attention. However, through PTA advocacy to enact and enforce laws, children’s health is better protected and children are better fed, housed and educated, with parents more involved in their upbringing. The vision of PTA’s founders has been realized in many ways, and now it is up to present PTA members to continue the vision.

THE FOUNDERS DAY FREEWILL OFFERING - "PTA BIRTHDAY GIFT"

Donations collected during Founders Day observances benefit the entire organization: unit, council, district PTAs, State and National PTA. California State PTA returns one-fourth of its offering to the district PTA and retains onefourth for its work throughout the state. Half of the offering is sent to National PTA (Unit Remittance Form 5.1.7f, 219; Forms 421).

PTA's HONORARY SERVICE AWARDS

While paying tribute to the three Founders and all who worked with them, it is also an appropriate time to show appreciation to those in your own PTA and community who have been dedicated advocates for children.

The Honorary Service Award, Continuing Service Award, Golden Oak Service Award and Very Special Person Award are bestowed on very special people to honor them for their outstanding efforts on behalf of children. Donations may also be made. (Note: Awards may be presented throughout the year.)

THE OAK TREE -- WHY IS IT PART OF THE SEAL OF THE NATIONAL PTA?

This beautiful tree is a symbol of strength, endurance and sturdiness with its broad canopy of protective branches which spread upward and outward - far reaching, yet intricate in its growth, unique in its ability to nourish the tiniest of leaves at the tip of its furthermost twig.

Some consider the state organization the trunk of the oak tree, and the National PTA the deep and anchoring roots. The districts and councils form the gradually spreading branches and the units are the beautiful leaves, gathering life, giving sunlight for the roots, and providing shelter and comfort for those underneath.

Another interpretation of the oak tree representation considers the thousands of units the very necessary and important roots, with nourishment flowing back and forth through the branches of councils and districts to the state PTA. The leaves represent the National PTA, which provides shelter, nourishment, color and shape of the organization.

The oak tree is truly a meaningful symbol used on PTA pins and logos. Why not plant an oak tree on your school site in honor of Founders Day?

The Founders Day celebration originated in 1910 by Mrs. David O. Mears, a charter member of the National Congress of Mothers founded by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst in Washington, D.C. on February 17, 1897. The Founders Day observance has continued through the change of organization names in 1925 to the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, and the uniting in 1970 with the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers founded in 1926 by Selena Sloan Butler, to become the National PTA.

Each year in February, PTA honors the three founders as well as past and present PTA leaders. Through special programs and events PTA also attempts to increase the awareness of its members and the community not only about its past achievements but its present and future activities, projects and goals. A portion of the Founders Day freewill offering collected during an observance is returned to the districts to be used to extend PTA's work and develop leadership.

WHAT TO DO

• Collect and review Founders Day material - make copies as needed from resources: Procedure Book from previous chairman or committee (start a procedure book if your unit does not have one). Founders Day handbook - latest version available in Winter Service Mailing from California State PTA (obtain from unit president). Founders Day sections from Guidebook of the California State PTA, National PTA Annual Resources for PTAs, past issues of Our Children and PTA in California (obtain from unit president if necessary) and the unit Historian book.
• Meet with the executive board or the program committee early in the Fall to plan your observance. Keep in mind past traditions but also investigate new ways to hold an appropriate celebration of PTA's birthday which will fit your school and community.
• Set the date after conferring with the unit board and principal. Work with your council or district to select a date that will not compete with other unit, council or district observances.
• Select a theme with Founders Day as the major focus, and decide on the type of program (family dinner, musical program, etc.).
• Plan an innovative way to reach out to your community. Invite guests from your school families, past and present PTA presidents, leaders and award recipients as well as school district and community members. Use an updated contact list from past events as a resource.
• Devise an interesting way to collect the Founders Day freewill offering during the event, unless the unit chooses to budget a donation to be sent directly through channels. If so, be sure to announce this at the event, including the explanation of the purpose for the donation. ("The Founders Day freewill offering is divided and shared with all levels of PTA, with one-fourth of it being returned to the districts. The funds help organize and strengthen PTAs, and train its leaders.")

FOUNDERS DAY

• Decide whether the observance will also be the occasion of presentation of PTA awards such as Honorary Service Award, Continuing Service Award, Golden Oak Service Award or Very Special Person Award. If so, a committee should select recipients following the recommendations found in the Guidebook of the California State PTA, and send for the appropriate awards at least six weeks prior to the event. Order forms are in the Guidebook of the California State PTA and Catalog of PTA Materials.
• Publicize the Founders Day Program frequently and well in advance through newsletters, flyers, posters and telephone calls by room representatives. Utilize the local media - radio, TV and newspapers, include information about the history of your PTA, or arrange for a feature about the history of the National PTA and how it is connected to your unit and others in your area when contacting media services.
• Send out special invitations in a timely manner to allow for response from guests. Provide a committee member's phone number to make responding easier and more personal.
• Provide (with the membership chairman's involvement) an opportunity for anyone attending your Founders Day event to join PTA, such as placing flyers on chairs or providing a very visible sign-up table.
• Work with the hospitality committee to plan special decorations, name tags, mementos for special recognition in addition to HSA Program Awards, if any, and refreshments. Some units have birthday cakes in various forms; your refreshments need not be lavish.
• Have a souvenir program. Programs provide a special touch and will serve as a means of publicizing the past and present PTA with "the printed word." Sample covers and inserts are provided in the Founders Day handbook and may be used alone or along with whatever of your own PTA information you wish to include (list of officers, local PTA history briefs, names of past officers and award recipients, etc.)
• Check to be sure all permits are filed, set-up arrangements are made, and appropriate people notified about time, place and role. Assign a "photographer" to capture special moments, special guests, and the mood of the event.
• Arrange for all guests to be greeted as they arrive. Have on hand the response list to help identify special guests and assist the president with introductions. Use name tags and provide a guest book or page for guests to sign.

AFTER THE EVENT

• Send thank you notes to appropriate participants, including special guests, school board members, past officers, etc.
• Remind the treasurer to forward the Founders Day freewill offering through PTA financial channels immediately. No motion is necessary for this action.
• Prepare a report on your Founders Day with a copy for the procedure book. Include evaluation and suggestions for the next event along with samples of the invitation, program,

FOUNDERS DAY PROGRAM IDEAS TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE PTA's BIRTHDAY

A Founders Day Program should have three components:

• Honoring of PTA's Founders and review of past PTA achievements
• Raising awareness about PTA - especially yours! - and its current activities, goals
• Participation in the traditional Founders Day freewill offering/gift

Although traditionally celebrated in February around the 17th, Founders Day may be observed any day of the year.

FOUNDERS DAY PROGRAM IDEAS INVOLVING STUDENTS

1. Prepare bookmarks printed with the Objects of the PTA to give to all students the week of February 17th.
2. Sponsor contests among the students appropriate to their age related abilities, i.e.,
• a poster contest for classrooms with the theme "What PTA Means to Me."
• a mini-essay contest for primary students with the theme "Why I like PTA."
• an essay contest for junior high or middle grade students with the theme "Why PTA Is Important to Our School."
3. Hold a PTA birthday celebration during regular lunch period. Decorate the cafeteria, and provide birthday cupcakes.
4. Ask each class to create a large birthday card for PTA and display all cards in the school hallways.
5. Create a small souvenir booklet to give each student about the founding of PTA.
6. For your Founders Day event, ask each class to decorate one of the tables with décor matching your event's theme.
7. Give students "tags" denoting their own birthday month to wear on February 17th.
8. Work with interested teachers to have students create a skit about the founding of PTA and feature this during a "talent show" program.
9. Work with middle or secondary level teachers to help students produce a video about PTA at your school or in your school district.
10. Work with interested teachers to sponsor a kite flying activity to demonstrate "soaring into the future with PTA."
11. Work with classes or a student group interested in planting and caring for an oak tree on your school campus.
12. Arrange to plant an oak tree at a city park or other public area and help students plan how to care for it.
13. In honor of "104 Years of PTA," challenge classes to collect 104 books for family shelters, 104 cans of food for a food bank, 104 pairs of mittens for children, etc.
14. Challenge classes to read 104 books, learn 104 new words, or do 104 "good deeds" for others during February. Post lists in the main hall and update daily.
15. For your event, work with older students to create a fashion show program of "then and now" clothing they can wear to depict the Founders, parents and children of that era, as well as those of today. The fashion show can occur with a "brief history of PTA" being read by the models or others.
16. Create a "where in the world are our PTA Founders?" game board for the school entrance hall. Enlarge the portraits of the three Founders, mount on sturdy backing and place them in different areas of the school during the week of February 17th. Place a "star" on the board with the name of the student who first reports "sighting" of a Founder's picture each day.
17. Start a "create a story" in each class-room about the Founders of PTA. Provide historical and biographical information to the teachers well ahead of the activity. Place each class's completed story in a PTA keep-sake album, or have stories printed in book form for each classroom to enjoy. Award a prize to the class with "most creative" story.
18. Sponsor a PTA poetry or PTA song writing contest, open to all ages, and present the winner(s) at your event. Print their entries in your school newsletter.
19. Enlist the aid of local artists or the school district art department to help students create a mural about PTA's founding. Use huge rolls of paper or other "temporary" material.
20. Have each class contribute material for a "time capsule" to be sealed on Founders Day, February 17th, or during your event.

FOUNDERS DAY PROGRAM IDEAS FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL AND ITS FAMILIES

1. Plan a school-wide service project and document 103 volunteer hours with a banner in the school office or lobby.

2. Plan a Founders Day parade around the school grounds, with students carrying signs they have made proclaiming what PTA does for them and for all children.

3. Invite PTA past presidents and other past participants to have lunch with the students on February 17th, thanking them for past efforts with student-made thank-you notes.

4. Combine the February patriotic holidays with your Founders Day celebration and expand on the theme "The Roots of Our Nation and The Roots of the PTA."

5. Plan a PTA Birthday Potluck for the entire school with families bringing favorite cultural foods to share. When publicizing the event to families, ask if there are cultural traditions for birthdays that they would like to share at the dinner.

6. Plan a faculty/staff "thank you" luncheon for the week of February 17th in appreciation for their support of your PTA.

7. Showcase National PTA Reflections Program entries in the school hallways. Present awards to winners and publicize the program during your Founders Day event.

8. Prepare a short history of your PTA and arrange to visit your school board meeting to "brag" as well as acknowledge the impact of the National PTA's efforts for all children. Request or arrange for a proclamation from school board and/or the city council for "PTA Day," February 17, 2000.

9. Create a "banner style" display for the school office or lobby with pictures of your PTA board members "at work," citing volunteer hours contributed and activities and accomplishments of your PTA.

10. Plan a school "reunion" of past principals, faculty, and alumni for your Founders Day event.

11. Create a "banner style" poster for the front hall with a timeline of National PTA accomplishments from 1897. Include your PTA from the date when it was founded.

12. Have board members wear clothing from the 1890s at school during the week of February 17th.

13. Fill your weekly or monthly newsletters all year long with "informative tidbits" about 103 years of PTA accomplishments, and about the PTA Founders.

14. Hold an elegant dinner and dance to honor past and present Honorary Service Award recipients, etc.

15. The PTA Founders were women, but there were men at the meeting in 1897. Schedule a panel of fathers to discuss why men should participate in PTA. Print highlights in your school newsletter and publicize in your local newspaper.

16. Create a series of "Then and Now" posters about achievements and concerns of PTA to display during February. Select items from the PTA Historical Briefs in the Guidebook of the California State PTA or Founders Day handbook and show if or how these issues exist today.

17. Using the PTA Historical Briefs, create a series of numbered 3 x 5 cards depicting items from this history and hand them out as people arrive at your meeting or event. During your program have cardholders rise in order and read each history "vignette."

18. Using the oak tree shape, find old photos of your past PTA members and activities to make a "Yesterday" photo-collage for the school hallway. Use another oak tree shape for "Today" and place current photos of PTA members and activities. On the third oak tree shape depict "Tomorrow" and place pictures of the students.

19. For a program during a PTA meeting, stage a mock TV talk show and "interview the Founders" (members dressed as the three Founders.) Use material from the PTA Historical Briefs for creating the script. At the end, award your Very Special Person, Honorary Service Award or Continuing Service Award or Golden Oak Service Award to those who have "followed in their footsteps."

20. Stage a "This is your life" show for the three Founders using material for your script from the biographies in the Founders Day handbook and other PTA historical material. PTA members can portray the Founders and others can carry signs or posters to represent particular events, dates or people. Instead of adults, consider using students as the "cast."

HELPFUL FOUNDERS DAY EVENT TIPS:

1. Be creative in using themes to make your event, observance week or month more interesting. Oscar TM Night, Western Roundup, Founders Garden Party, Carnival, Circus, TV shows, sports themes, or objects such as holidays, keys, hats, flowers, books and music are great bases for planning a meaningful event. Keep a sample list of ideas in your procedure book.

2. Assure that all guests are greeted warmly at your event. Don't allow anyone to feel like a stranger! Assign board members to greet special guests of honor as they arrive. Introduce past officers and HSA recipients with "flourish," not as a "routine."

3. Have a table with interest surveys, volunteer sign-up sheets and membership cards in a prominent location.

4. Incorporating student performance into your event increases attendance. Provide childcare if appropriate to the type of program (lengthy sitting time, speakers).

5. Enlist the help of room representatives to make phone calls to families to encourage attendance at the event. Divide up past award recipient names and phone numbers and make personal calls where possible to follow up on mailed invitations.

6. Plan ahead! Invite local media to your event. Submit material to them beforehand and call to see if they need more information.

7. Even though your event may be incorporated into a school talent show or other event, remember to focus on PTA objectives, the Founders and 103 years of PTA achievements. Accent your program with PTA "positives" about what still needs to be done.