Legislative & Advocacy Issues
Follow the link to the Power Point Presentation used at the Town Hall meeting
discussing Single Source Funding as presented by Mr. David Pickler, Chairman of the
Shelby County Schools School Board.
Tennessee PTA maintains that:
  • Local communities should finance education, health and
    welfare services for children and youth to the fullest
    extent of their ability, with the state giving its best
    support toward equalizing opportunities in these areas.

  • Only public boards, departments, and agencies should use
    federal funds appropriated for the education, health,
    and welfare of children and youth. Federal funds to
    states should be channeled through those federal
    agencies most directly concerned with the legislative
    enactment involved and should be administered by
    comparable state and local agencies.

  • Maximum state and local control should be ensured by
    provisions included in all federal legislation relative to
    health, education, and welfare of children and youth.
BASIC POLICIES
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
  • The legislative program of Tennessee PTA is directed by
    the Legislative Committee under the leadership of the
    Legislative Chair.

  • The Legislative Committee is responsible for reviewing
    state and national laws and issues affecting children and
    youth, and for initiating and recommending the national
    and state legislative platform for Tennessee PTA. The
    Committee is also responsible for maintaining the
    Member-to-Member Communications Network,
    supervising Advocacy efforts, and planning and conducting
    the Tennessee PTA Legislative Conference.
  • Appoint a Legislative Chairman to coordinate the
    legislative program and to provide information to the
    general membership on issues relating to the health,
    education, and welfare of children and youth.
  • Establish a Legislative Committee to support and
    promote the efforts of the Legislative chairman.
  • Work with the National and State PTA Legislative
    Chairs.
  • Participate as a Member-to-Member contact person.
  • Attend, and encourage others, the Legislative
    Conference.
  • Read the National PTA’s “Our Children” magazine and
    share contents with all PTA members.
  • Each member is responsible for helping to make the
    ideals embodied in the legislative platform a reality.
RESPONSBILITIES OF LOCAL UNIT PRESIDENTS
PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
  • Legislative items may be proposed by ANY local unit,
    Council, or Region.
  • These items must be:
submitting group;
  • Received in the State Office by the designated
    deadline.
The Tennessee PTA Legislative Committee may edit or
adapt items to make the proposal appropriate for inclusion
in the Tennessee PTA Legislative Agenda.
Tennessee PTA Resolutions
Active Resolutions Adopted by Delegates to Tennessee PTA Conventions
As you know, this is an election year and this is a reminder of a few PTA guidelines regarding the endorsement of candidates.

  • A current or former PTA officer/board member must not use his/her title or the name of the PTA to endorse a candidate even for the purposes of
    identification of any print, electronic, or website candidate literature (e.g., campaign mailer, ballot measure, candidate stationery).  

  • A current PTA officer/board member must not use his/her title, the name of the PTA or the trademark of PTA in any election venue.

  • Although you have your right to campaign and certainly to vote, please keep in mind that others look to you as a leader in the PTA and that you must
    make it clear that the PTA (your local unit or any of the PTA under the National PTA umbrella) is not endorsing any candidate. This is in direct
    violation of our 501 (c) 3 status.