National PTA President's Letter
August, 2004

Leading Your PTA Team to Great Heights

PTA leaders are called upon to demonstrate a variety of skills: some skills come naturally, others must be cultivated.

Being a PTA leader is no easy task, but there are steps to take at the beginning of the year to make a PTA run smoothly and ensure its maximum impact on the lives of children. With the beginning of the PTA year at hand, I’d like to share a few suggestions that will help to ensure the success of any PTA leader, whether you’re an officer or committee member.

Take advantage of your predecessor’s wisdom.
Meet with outgoing leaders. In your meetings, don’t forget to take stock of the successes and challenges of the past year.

Enlist the help of committed individuals.
Start right away with recruiting parents, community members, and school officials to join the PTA. (Visit the Expanding Membership section of the PTA Members’ website.) Talk to your new volunteers about what responsibilities they would like to take on and how their personal skills can benefit the PTA.

Make use of resources and training opportunities.
Build your leadership skills by using resources such as National PTA’s website, e-learning courses, and conferences and leadership training at the national, state, district, and council levels.

For more than a century, PTAs around the nation have worked to improve children’s lives and inspire parents to get involved in their children’s education. After the rejuvenating effects of summer, I wish you the best as you prepare for another year of serving children in your community and throughout the nation.

  Linda Hodge
  President, National PTA