Here are some guidelines from National PTA for PTA units who would like to become involved in disaster relief efforts.

PTA units can act as collection points or can facilitate the collection of goods and funds to be turned over to a disaster relief organization such as Americares or the Red Cross. Any funds collected must be kept separate from PTA funds. A PTA cannot, however, assume the role of a disaster relief organization as this is beyond the PTA's mission and objectives. A PTA cannot open or administer an account which accepts donations to aid the families of disaster victims.

To be even more specific, the PTA can act as an information source (or even rally volunteers for service) for community or another organization's efforts but a unit should not conduct a fundraiser/benefit activity on behalf of any other organization or cause. Even being the collection point can raise some potential problems - cash or goods intended for a particular cause can "lose its way" and the unit could find itself caught between what a donor says they gave and what the intended recipient received. Nor should their effort ever involve children as fundraisers. Children can certainly participate in events that honor the events and people involved but they should not be used as the actual solicitors of funds.

If the general membership agrees that a donation from the PTA to a particular cause fits with the unit's goals for their current budget, they can do so. This should be discussed as part of the budget approval or reallocation process. Emptying their reserves to help another group wouldn't be fiscally responsible to either those who may have donated funds (or purchased services) intended to benefit the unit and their work or future leaders, members, and PTA goals.

The intent is not to be callous in the face of terrible tragedies but to stay mindful of legal requirements and restrictions under which groups like PTA operate.

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