Is Your School Ready to Start a PTA?
You love your child’s school and want to make it better. As a grassroots organization, PTA begins at the local level – your child’s school. New Jersey PTA is here to guide you through the steps for each local PTA to become an independent nonprofit business, including the requirements necessary to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. The process is unique to each potential local PTA, but there are general steps that every local PTA will take to begin chartering. Click here for info on how to start a PTA
To begin chartering a new PTA with the New Jersey PTA, contact the state office via email or call (609) 587-0100 to set up an initial meeting/phone call to discuss the process for chartering and the benefits of joining the New Jersey PTA.
What Happens Next?
Meeting #1 – Introduction to PTA Meeting
Set up by the region director, this meeting is sometimes with a large group of people, or it may be just a few individuals interested in learning more about becoming a PTA or PTSA.
Meeting #2 – PTA Affiliation Meeting
This meeting aims to discuss New Jersey PTA with a larger group and gauge whether there is enough interest to create and sustain a PTA in the community. If so, at this meeting, individuals will be found to serve on the new PTA steering committee.
This meeting focuses on a review of the Starting Your New PTA Manual. It will assist the steering committee as they build standing rules and develop a budget and other items necessary for the charter meeting.
Meeting #3 – Charter Meeting
This is the meeting where the official vote to become a PTA/PTSA will take place. During this meeting, the charter memberships will be accepted (should have at least 25 members), and a vote on the standing rules, budget, and the nominating committee will be held.
Remaining Meetings – Foundation Meetings
These are a series of meetings in which the new PTA support team will assist your new officers in building a lasting foundation for your PTA. They will include training, goal setting, committee chair, volunteer recruitment, fiduciary responsibilities, and much more.