National

National PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. A not-for-profit association of parents, educators, students, and other citizens active in their schools and communities, PTA is a leader in reminding our nation of its obligations to children.

As adults, all of us have a great responsibility to our children. We must ensure that they have the tools and guidance they need to achieve success in education and in life. With over 6 million members, National PTA has an amazing impact on families, schools, and communities throughout our nation.

For more than a hundred years, millions of people just like you have belonged to something that works—PTA, a visionary organization committed to making a difference for all children. We are a powerful voice for children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education. PTA is the catalyst for effective parent involvement, safe and nurturing communities, and quality public education for children in this country.

Today PTA is addressing challenges that include parents’ time constraints, cultural differences, and school budget shortfalls. Working together, we are making it easier for busy parents to be involved with PTA. We are reaching out to diverse communities in ways that are meaningful and relevant to today’s families, and we are providing training and resources to strengthen members’ leadership and advocacy skills. PTA has the power to inspire change and make a true difference for our nation’s children.

Together, we help parents, schools, and communities understand not only the importance of partnership, but how each individual can become involved to improve the lives of all of our children. Be part of something that works and join PTA in speaking for every child with one voice.

State

The European Congress of Parents and Teachers, along with other state branches, is an integral part of the National PTA, serving as a connecting link between the national organization and membership within the state. The unit of membership of the European Congress of Parents and Teachers is not the local association but the individual member of the local association. The membership of the National PTA then, is the sum of the memberships in the various state branches. A person who joins a local PTA or PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association) unit automatically becomes a member of the National PTA and the European PTA. State bylaws indicate the relationship of the European PTA to the National organization and show how the European PTA is related to its districts and local units. The European PTA Bylaws are approved and adopted by local unit delegates to the annual state convention.

Local Unit

The local unit is the most important division of PTA. All other divisions exist to serve the local unit PTA. The local unit PTA or PTSA is organized and chartered by the European PTA in accordance with authority granted to the European PTA by National PTA Bylaws. The procedures and requirements for the organization of a local unit are set forth in the European PTA Bylaws, and it is a self-governing body. The local unit PTA plans its programs and activities to meet the needs of children and youth in its own school and community. Guidelines and program aides are offered by the National and European PTA to help local units plan their programs and projects. The local unit chooses those which apply to its community and modifies them to meet their own needs.

* Excerpted from www.pta.org with permission from National PTA.