As PTA President, your most important role is to keep your PTA focused on its mission. Help your board decide what matters most, make choices that support children and families, and keep everyone moving in the same direction.

• Start with your mission. Use it to guide your PTA’s priorities, activities, and decisions.

• Plan for family engagement. Think about how you will welcome and involve all families.

• Connect with your principal. Talk about shared priorities and how your PTA and school can build strong school partnerships.

• Set your meeting dates. Check school and district calendars to avoid conflicts.

• Plan events and fundraising early. Make sure they support your PTA’s goals and mission.

• Keep everyone informed. Communicate important plans, policies, budgets, and deadlines.

You don’t have to do everything. Focus on what best supports your PTA’s mission and your school community.

The entire board, not just the treasurer, shares responsibility for your PTA’s financial health. As President, you should understand the budget and help make sure PTA funds support your mission.

• Keep finances transparent. Share regular financial updates with members.

• Plan fundraising wisely. Choose fundraising that fits your PTA’s needs and capacity.

• Communicate expectations. Make sure your board and school understand procedures and deadlines for reimbursements, grants, scholarships, and funding requests.

• Follow the rules. PTA finances must meet nonprofit requirements.

Keep it simple: know your budget, follow the rules, and use your resources to advance your mission.

PTA meetings should be a place where families feel comfortable, connected, and heard. Keep meetings friendly and focused on conversations that matter to your school community.

• Keep it warm and welcoming. Build in time for introductions, connections, and even snacks!

• Stay on track. Use an agenda and follow proper procedures for official business.

• Make room for families’ voices. Invite questions, ideas, and feedback.

• Talk about what matters. Create space to discuss student needs and important advocacy issues.

The goal isn’t just to hold a meeting. It’s to help people feel like they belong.

You’re already making a difference! Help more families feel connected to your PTA and part of something bigger.

• Build relationships. Make families feel welcome, valued, and heard.

• Share your impact. Celebrate what your PTA is accomplishing and share your story.

• Build future leaders. Recruit and retain volunteers, board members, and officers. See recruitment suggestions

• Bring people together. Offer events that welcome families and community members.

• Invite everyone to join. Make sure families know PTA membership is open to everyone.

Membership is more than joining your local PTA. It’s joining a movement. Every member becomes part of Minnesota PTA and National PTA, joining nearly 4 million advocates working together to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Good communication helps families understand what your PTA does, why it matters, and how they can be part of it. It also helps your board, volunteers, and school staff work well together.

• Be consistent. Use recognizable PTA branding across your communications.

• Set expectations early. Share important procedures, policies, and information with volunteers and school staff.

• Keep information current. Regularly update your social media, website, and other platforms.

• Use your tools. Givebacks can help manage contacts, newsletters, calendars, and updates.

• Make it easy to connect. Clearly share who to contact, how to reach them, and when they are available.

Keep it simple, consistent, and timely. Help people see the impact of PTA and stay connected to your work.