Welcome to Advocacy!
Advocacy Region Chair Person: Sally Pinto Email: wepradvocacy@gmail.com
Please use unit/council code in subject line of emails.
From its inception as the first state branch of the National PTA formed in 1897, New York State PTA’s long-held commitment to advocacy has been the fire within. Ignited by the efforts of a very small group of mothers gathered in Chautauqua, N.Y., today’s more than 346,000 members continue to raise their voices to speak up for children. Together we work for a common purpose: to secure adequate laws, regulations, and policies for the care and protection of children and youth. To achieve this objective PTA advocates bring critical issues that affect the education, health, and welfare of children and youth before the public, policy makers and elected officials. Connecting our more than 1500 grass-roots units and councils, 13 regions, the state Board of Directors and National PTA is the shared belief that:
“Advocacy is at the heart of PTA’s mission and vision. Taking action provides both parents and PTA leaders with the resources to become more involved with their community at home and their community across the nation.”
Excerpted from National PTA website
Let’s join our voices to affect change for every child in our schools, district, region, state, and country!
Our unit is new to advocacy. Where do we start?
- Choose an issue. An issue is larger than a problem. For example, crowded classrooms are a problem; the larger issue could be inadequate facilities or lack of funding for staff.
- Then determine the following:
- Does it fit within the PTA’s Mission and Objectives
- Review “Where We Stand” to determine PTA’s position on this topic
- Then determine the following:
- Research the Issue
- Determine the Decision maker
- Who can take action on your issue
- Lobby Guidelines
- A person is identified as a spokesman. When this person speaks for the PTA, the PTA position must be supported. A PTA is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization and can lobby for issues but cannot support candidates.
- Organize for action
- Develop the Plan
- Design a strong message. Make it understandable and simple
- Reach Out to your members. Survey to find out how they feel. Get the message out.
- Reach out to the community. Conduct opinion polls to get a feel for community support/opposition.
- Establish coalitions for broader outreach.
- Communicate with Lawmakers
- Use the Media
- Letters and Postcards
- Calls, Emails, and Social Media
What to know where NYS PTA stands on issues?
Check out Current and Historical Resolutions
Westchester East Putnam Region PTA 