Your Illinois PTA State Board of Managers worked hard to put together the Local Unit Packet, which is being distributed to presidents by their District Directors.  This packet has materials in it for managing your PTA, for providing programs and resources to your membership and for developing leadership in your unit.

In addition to the Illinois PTA Local Unit Packet, your president received the National PTA Annual Resources.  In a new format this year, these booklets include public relations tools, and a Spanish resource piece, in addition to tools that augment the Illinois PTA materials.

I had the opportunity to speak on a live Chicago-area radio show about going back to school, and no matter what the sub-topic, we always came back to the importance of parent and family involvement.  Resources used for that program came from the National PTA website, back-to-school materials.  A variety of Member Benefits can also be found on that site.

And then there’s that State Board of Managers!  A group of hard working volunteers who are there to assist you, be it with a problem or challenge you face with your unit (call your District Director) or with program ideas, presentations and resources (call the appropriate chairman).  As we meet in September, we will address issues you are facing, and continue work on next year’s convention in Peoria.  Only 7 months away, already some exciting ideas are taking hold!  Watch for more information to follow on this website.

Finally, what comes to my mind is the privilege of attending the Governor’s bill- signing for the Ryan Armstrong Law on Vicious Dogs.  That law is the grassroots effort of a dad, Jeff Armstrong, whose son Jeff was attacked by a dog.  Jeff enlisted the support of his local PTA and reached out to Illinois PTA delegates with a resolution that was passed at our convention this spring.  The law that was passed includes wording from that resolution.  Your calls, letters, and faxes to legislators and the Governor made that resolution become reality.  (For more insight into our legislative and resolutions process, plan to attend our October Legislation conference in Springfield!)  Being able to attend that event really highlighted the PTA difference!

What’s the PTA difference?

A support system, which includes other PTAs and your State Board of  Managers.

 Resources, both paper and human. 

       Knowing that you aren’t alone in your work on behalf of children.

             Member benefits

And finally, the example set by Jeff Armstrong and all of you, of what we can do when we all speak for every child with one voice.  Have a great month!