Legislative & Advocacy Issues
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
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.
Responsibilities of Local Unit President
  • 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.
Procedures for Submitting Resolutions to Tennessee PTA
  • All resolutions adopted by the convention body have a five (5) year active
    life.  Unless resolutions are reaffirmed at the end of that time period, they
    will be retired and placed in the historical record.

  • Submitters must be available to work with the Resolutions Committee to
    make necessary changes to meet these criteria.
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.