Connecting all Families through PTA Membership
One of the key PTA values is inclusivity. We value and seek input from as wide a spectrum of viewpoints and experiences as possible. With communities all across the nation growing more diverse, the concepts of inclusion and diversity become even more relevant and important to PTA's mission.
PTA speaks on behalf of all children. As a parent and PTA leader, you can promote this mission by embracing diversity and inclusion and promoting these values in your school and PTA. When we promote diversity, we are striving to include and realize the potential of everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, marital status, socio-economic status, employment status, experience, language, religion, ability, age and sexual orientation. PTA can improve cultural competency by making diversity and inclusivity of membership a priority.
Membership is year-round. Now that your initial membership push is likely over, take a second look and see where you can reach out and connect with families and other groups that have not always felt like they belong or can contribute to PTA. Look at your current membership pool. Can you designate a representative to reach out to others with similar backgrounds and needs?
It’s not an easy challenge to reach beyond your traditional core supporters. But when we grow our membership to include everyone, we enhance our work by including different perspectives, priorities and abilities. Below are some connection strategies to improve diversity and promote inclusivity.
- Provide a Welcoming Environment * – Review your school and PTA environment. Does it signal to a family whose background, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, family structure, etc., is not that of the majority at the school that they are welcome, valued and a significant part of the school community? Provide opportunities for parents to get to know one another and learn more about the various things that are important to each of them. If your PTA wants to diversify membership, it must offer opportunities for parents to expand their circles of acquaintances.
- Connect with Families from Other Countries * – For PTA veterans, the purpose and mission of PTA is clear; we do not need it defined. In many countries, however, parents are not part of their children’s school communities. Parents from these countries may not understand the influence and benefits of PTA. It is important to spell out why PTA exists; what PTA has achieved; and how membership in PTA benefits themselves, their children, and the school community. To foster a welcoming environment, host an international night or cultural awareness event at your school and ask families from different countries to promote awareness and understanding of their culture.
- Welcome and Encourage Dads – Make sure you are approaching men. Many men will say that they never joined before because no one ever asked them. Host a Dad’s event. If your principal is male, encourage him to help take the lead in promoting and attending the event. Have PTA and membership information available at the event.
- Accommodate Single and Dual Working Parents –How are you getting school and PTA information to families who are stretched for time? Are there opportunities to get involved that don’t require a lot of time or can be completed at home? Do you have occasional weekend events that are easier to attend? Do your parents know about all the valuable parent resource information on www.pta.org?
- Improve Racial Diversity –Are there other parent networks such as an African-American Parent Network that you can connect with to promote awareness and PTA membership? Invite representative s from these organizations to present at your PTA meetings. Invite current PTA members within specific racial communities to serve as membership liaisons to personally connect and invite others to join PTA.
- Include Lower Income Parents – Do you offer free events for families in which finances are limited? Are you providing resources and information in a variety of ways so that families without access to email or computers get the information they need? Do you provide PTA benefits that make membership cost effective? Many units offer free school directories, reduced admission prices to school events and other cost savers as an incentive to join.
- Include and Invite Families with Special Needs Children –Do you provide support to families with special needs children? Sometimes the first step to support is to be aware of a particular group’s circumstances and needs. Invite a parent or teacher representative to provide all parents with the perspective of life with a special needs child. Review your PTA events. Are they accessible to all children? Should an alternative event be held for these families? Ask parents to meet to provide the PTA with ideas for supporting our families with special needs. Start a dialog.
- Welcome Families New to the School - Be sure to include PTA and membership information in your “new family” packets. Make sure the PTA is in the communication loop when a new family arrives. Make personal contact with the new family to make them feel welcome and to encourage membership and parent involvement and awareness. Personally invite them to your next PTA meeting.
- Promote Teachers and School Staff Membership – While many schools have outstanding staff membership, many units do not make it a priority to seek staff membership. Teachers, administrators and support staff provide invaluable insight to school happenings. Encourage all to join. Solicit the help of your principal to also invite staff to join. Provide your principal with staff membership updates. Be sure to personally thank staff members who join. Invite a teacher to present a teachers’ report at each meeting; offer membership incentives like teacher grants or classroom supplies as a membership raffle prize. Provide teachers reasonable opportunities to get involved in school events such as fall and spring socials, TV Turn Off week, and Reading Month. Every employee of your school has a stake in the success of the school – joining PTA is a visible means of supporting parent involvement and staff communications at your school.
For over 110 years, PTA has represented a community of people dedicated to the health, education and well-being of all children. As inheritors of that great tradition, it’s our responsibility to keep this community strong and growing. As the social, cultural and racial make-up of our country continues to change, PTA membership must change to reflect the diversity of our families. We must continue to be relevant to all children. Making connections beyond our traditional membership keeps our organization and mission vibrant and thriving.
* Read the complete article, Improve Diversity to Make a Stronger PTA, by Caryl M. Stern at www.pta.org/topic_improve_diversity_to_make_a_stronger_pta.asp . For information on leading a diversity initiative, read The Diversity Process at www.pta.org/topic_the_diversity_process.asp by Jennifer Coyle Falk.
Michigan PTA - 3300 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite 220 - Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Email: director@michiganpta.org - Website: www.michiganpta.org - Phone: (734) 975-9500