PTO Today

PTA

PTO

Definition

A local parent group formally affiliated with its state’s PTA organization and the National PTA.

An independent parent group; in other words, any non-PTA group. Many acronyms—such as HSA, PCC, PTO, and more—fall under the independent group umbrella. (In this chart, we use “PTO” generically to mean any independent parent group.)

How Many?

Approximately 21,500 local K-8 PTA groups in the United States. An additional 1,500 or so at high schools and internationally.

Approximately 52,000 independent K-8 parent groups in the United States. More at high schools and internationally.

Umbrella Organization/ Professional Staff

National PTA has more than 75 paid employees in Chicago and Washington, D.C.—all paid with money collected through PTA dues. Most state PTAs have at least one additional paid staff member.

There is no “national PTO” akin to National PTA. PTO Today Inc. is often considered the closest comparison to National PTA, but PTO Today is a business (25 employees). More than 95 percent of PTO Today’s income comes from paid advertising, not from PTO or PTA groups.

Dues—Required?

Yes.

No. The decision to charge dues is completely up to your local group.

Dues—How Much?

On average, more than $1,000 per group for county, state, and National PTA dues. (National dues $1.75 per member, per year. State dues vary; typically between $2 and $4 per member, per year. County dues also vary; often 25 cents or so per member, per year.)

It is up to your group, but the entire amount stays at your school. Many PTOs choose to charge no dues (and consider all parents members automatically) to foster parent involvement.

Insurance—
Required?

Varies by state.

No; it is up to your group. But we highly recommend that all groups get insurance.

Insurance—
Access

Most state PTAs have a negotiated rate with a preferred provider.

PTOs can access preferred rates through the optional PTO Today Plus program or obtain insurance on their own.

Insurance—Cost

Varies by state. Typically insurance is less expensive for PTAs, but the savings don’t necessarily make up for the cost of annual dues.

PTO Today Plus insurance rates range from $70 to $165 for different types of coverage, including officer liability, general liability, and property insurance.

Nonprofit Status

Required. Status is typically granted automatically as part of a parent group’s affiliation with National PTA and payment of annual dues.

Not required. If your group decides to become a registered nonprofit, it applies directly to the IRS and pays a one-time $750 fee. Step-by-step instructions (successfully used by hundreds of groups) are available from PTO Today.

Political Participation

Required. National PTA is openly an advocacy organization for PTA-approved positions. Local PTA groups cannot advocate publicly against PTA-approved positions.

Not required. Groups can choose to play an advocacy/political role; however, many PTOs opt to remain focused on parent involvement, school/teacher/student support, and community-building.

National Voice

Yes. Your group is part of National PTA’s political efforts. A Washington, D.C., lobbying office is professionally staffed.

No. Many PTOs don’t feel it’s part of what they’re about or don’t like the potential acrimony that politics can bring (or both). Most PTOs choose to devote their energies to the concerns of parents at their school, where they feel they can do the most good and make the greatest difference.

Access to Resources

After dues, most National PTA resources are included.

The vast majority of PTO Today’s resources are free to all parent groups (PTAs as well as PTOs).

RESOURCES:

National PTA

PTO Today

Events/
Conferences

Most state PTA organizations have a convention. The quality varies widely. The cost to attend a state convention is typically $100 or more per attendee. National PTA has an annual convention, but it is largely a meeting of state-level leaders and past national officials. Cost is $150-plus per attendee.

PTO Today hosts a series of “Expos” open to all groups (PTOs and PTAs), but not in all states or regions. It costs $10 per person to attend.

Support

State-level assistance is often available. The quality and responsiveness vary by state.

No state-level staff. A toll-free phone number and email support is available nationally to all groups year-round.

Networking With Other Groups

State convention once a year in nearly every state. About 2,000 posts on the message boards at www.pta.org.

Expos in selected regions once a year. More than 100,000 posts shared (and archived) on the Message Boards at ptotoday.com (a leading networking resource online used by local PTO and PTA leaders).

Magazine

Our Children, sent to local PTA group leaders six times a year. Average 32 pages per issue.

PTO Today magazine, sent to more than 80,000 K-8 parent group leaders (both PTO and PTA) seven times a year, including an annual Buyer’s Guide. Average 64 pages per issue.

Website

www.pta.org—largely covers the workings and announcements of the National PTA organization. A few articles from each magazine issue (2005 to present) are available for free online.

www.ptotoday.com—focuses nearly exclusively on practical content (articles, advice, and information on resources) for leaders of local parent groups. The majority of articles and columns from each issue of the magazine (1999 to present) are available for free online.

Enrichment

Reflections, a well-organized arts contest for students, eligible to dues-paying PTA groups only. A theme is selected by the National PTA each year.

School Family Nights, free planning kits on rotating topics including Family Reading Night, Family Arts & Crafts Night, and Get Movin’ Night (health and fitness). Non-PTA groups, though not eligible for Reflections, can choose to run their own art contest at the school level or to participate in other art programs.

Volunteer/
Involvement Materials

Professionally designed public service announcements, flyers, and more are available to local unit leaders only.

PTO Today’s File Exchange, accessible by anyone for free online, has hundreds of flyers, surveys, newsletters, and many other resources. Parent group leaders upload files and documents that have worked for their groups so that others can benefit by using them.

Back-to-School Program

A back-to-school kit is available to local unit leaders only and includes resources to promote membership and parent involvement.

Jump In! magazine, distributed by local PTO and PTA leaders to parents at the start of the school year, to help them get more connected to the school and involved in their child’s education. A companion website, SchoolFamily.com, promotes and strengthens the school/parent connection throughout the year, including tips for helping with homework and communicating with teachers.

Additional Programs and Services

Three for Me involvement pledge program; various awards programs for PTA member groups; discounts from partners for members.

2 Hour Power involvement pledge program; Parent Group of the Year awards program (recognizes achievements by PTO and PTA groups); sampling program from partners for PTO Today Plus members.

PTA Fundraising Essentials, published annually and available to local unit leaders for an additional fee.

PTO Today Buyer’s Guide, with vendor listings in fundraising, playgrounds, and more, published annually as part of a yearly subscription. An online product/services directory is accessible for free.

PAID SERVICES/PROGRAMS:

PTO Manager, customized volunteer and finanancial management software.

Expert guides on key topics, available to anyone for individual purchase.

Optional membership in PTO Today Plus, which includes access to additional articles and expert guides, as well as discounted insurance and lower prices on PTO Today services, programs, and events.