CT PTA President's Letter
September, 2002

I was having a difficult time composing a letter for the September 2002 edition of the Bulletin... how do I present important information in a fresh and interesting way? What topics should I cover? And so on. Questions that I am frequently asked kept popping into my head, “Why do you give so much time to the PTA?” “Haven ’t you done enough already?” “Is this your last year?”

As I headed off to the computer carrying my PTA briefcase to try again once again, my 11th grade son said half-jokingly, “Go Mom and save the children of the world.” Although he was teasing me, Kevin truly believes that is what the PTA is all about -helping all children.

At its very core, PTA is an advocacy organization. As stated in the Annual Resources for PTAs: “National PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer association working exclusively on behalf of all children and youth. For more than 100 years, National PTA has promoted the education, health and safety of children and families.” and “Through consistent hard work, sometimes after decades of perseverance,…child labor laws, a public health service, hot lunch programs, a juvenile justice system, and mandatory immunization were accepted as national norms.”

We cannot rest on our past accomplishments. There is much work ahead of us. We must be the watchdogs for issues that affect our children. Many issues need our attention …the implementation of ESEA (No Child Left Behind), ensuring that there is full funding of the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) Reauthorization, working against vouchers and making our entire public education system as good as we can so that all children have equal opportunities, ensuring indoor air quality, and addressing teacher shortages … just to name a few.

The Connecticut PTA and its board of directors will continue to speak for every child with one voice. We need your voices to make sure our message is heard. Make sure that your local boards of education, the Commissioner of Education, and your legislators know about the issues that concern you. Sign up every one in your community to join PTA to strengthen our numbers and our message – in your local community, in Hartford as CT PTA works on behalf of children, and in Washington D.C. where National PTA carries forward the message of its over 6 million members from every state in the nation and in Department of Defense schools in Europe and the Pacific region. PTA cares about every child.

I do know the answers to the questions above that every one asks me. There are many reasons why I give so much time to the PTA. The PTA has given so much to my family and me -from the work and programs provided by each of the local PTAs in our town to the work done on their behalf at the state and national level. I have met many people and made wonderful friendships throughout my PTA career. The training that PTA has provided - through parenting programs offered at the local level, networking opportunities with people from around the world who have similar concerns, leadership training at the state and national level - is invaluable. I believe that my volunteer work sets a wonderful example for my children.

No, I haven’t done enough already. As long as there are issues that affect our children, I will continue to speak on their behalf. I owe this to the people who came before me and spoke on my children ’s ’behalf when I was unable to. I will be the voice for those who do not have a voice today.

I trust that someday they will be speaking for my grandchildren. Or that someone from a PTA in another state may be that voice for my grandchild. Although there are many days that I too ask myself, “Is this my last year?” the answer is always “NO.” While I give a lot to the PTA, I get much more in return. I continue because people I love benefit from the work that I do. I once heard that there are no periods in PTA because PTA work never stops. As long as there is work to be done, I want to be there.

Thank you Kevin for being proud of your mother and believing so strongly in the PTA. What a lofty task you have set before me! Your faith in me inspires me to continue to speak for every child with one voice.

Donna McGuire
President, Connecticut PTA