Resolutions - Substantive Criteria for Resolutions Submission
A sample resolution and accompanying submission materials are available as a reference guide.
Each convention resolution submitted to National PTA is subject to consideration by the Convention Resolution Committee. All convention resolutions must be received in the National PTA office by December 15. (In the event that the 15th falls on the weekend, the convention resolution will be accepted on the next business day. Convention resolutions received after the deadline will not be presented at that year’s national convention). Facsimile (faxes) or electronic mail (e-mail) will not be accepted.
A convention resolution must:
- Relate to the education, health, safety, or welfare of children and youth, or parental education and involvement of parents.
- Be in harmony with the purposes and the basic policies of National PTA, as stated in the bylaws of every constituent organization of National PTA.
- Concern a matter that is national in scope, written with a national focus, and requiring nationwide action for solution.
- Demonstrate with background information that the issue is national in scope.
- State a position not previously adopted by National PTA. (Copies of adopted positions are available for reference on the National PTA website or by contacting National PTA’s Programs and Public Policy Office.
- Contain “Whereas” statements and “Resolved” statements that are written in language appropriate for national consideration.
- Include “Whereas” statements that do not cite the Purposes or Position Statements of National PTA. (These are already established and assumed, though Purposes or Position Statements can be included in the rationale).
- Provide three (3) background references from three (3) different sources for each “Whereas.”
- Cite a variety of independent sources, which are required as proof.
- Use references that are bracketed and numbered in the background material, indicating which “Whereas” statement they support.
- Cite materials that are current (published no more than six years ago).
- Not use PTA materials as documentation.
Background Material
A submitted convention resolution must:
- Contain background materials that are factual and verifiable. It can include, but is not limited to copies of information such as education, safety, and welfare articles or updates; documented research; pertinent laws; government publications and regulations; and articles from professional publications (examples of non-verifiable documents include, personal letters, logs of phone calls, or e-mail printouts, which are not good documentation because they cannot be verified.)
- Include only primary source materials (examples of non-primary materials include newspaper articles, abstracts, editorials, and materials from other organizations intended for lobbying and advocacy purposes).
- Published no more than six years ago.
- Include on each page the author, title, publisher, and date for each source. Online sources should include the URL.
- When including articles, submit them in their entirety.
- Not more than 25 double sided or 50 single sided pages, font size no smaller than 10 with 1 inch margin.
Format Criteria
A convention resolution usually consists of two main parts:
- Whereas: The preamble portion of the convention resolution consisting of a statement(s) providing information on the convention resolution, reasons for the convention resolution, and why it should be adopted.
- Resolved: The main motion. The Resolved statements constitute the request for action and express the opinion or will of the group.
A submitted convention resolution must:
- Be accompanied by the appropriate and properly completed cover sheet.
- Have the cover sheet signed by the president of the submitted constituent organization. If from a local unit, council, or organized region/district, the convention resolution must also be forwarded to the state PTA president for signature. (This does not necessarily indicate approval by the state PTA, but does assure that the submitting group is in good standing).
- Contain a summary statement of the convention resolution, no more than 150 words, that captures the intent and scope of the full convention resolution.
- Include a table of contents.
- Include a reference sheet that substantiates each “Whereas” statement by referencing the page or pages that provides documentation in the submitted background material.
- Include no more than 25 double-sided or 50 single-sided pages for background materials.
- Font size may not be smaller than 10 with 1 inch margin.
- All pages, with exception of the required submission cover page, must be numbered consecutively.
For further information on any resolution, position statement, or the resolution process, please contact the Programs and Public Policy Office.
