Effective Management

Budgeting

Developing the Budget

A finance or budget committee usually has the responsibility for developing a budget for the PTA. This committee may be elected or appointed according to the PTA bylaws and usually consists of three or five members, one of whom is the treasurer, who may act as chair.

Effective budgeting includes consideration of the PTA's stated goals and planned activities, as well as the financial needs to achieve these.

The committee should study the previous year's budget and treasurer's reports to determine how well that budget met the organization's needs. Next, members should determine the projected financial requirements, taking into consideration the funds needed for the approved programs, projects, and leadership development. They should determine the sources of funds to meet these requirements.

From this information, the committee then develops the annual budget. Budgets cover a one-year period. How the year is defined should be determined in the bylaws.

Federal Requirements

Abiding by federal guidelines is extremely important to maintain tax exempt status and ensure your PTA is financially sound. Here you'll find basic information on maintaining your 501 (C)(3) status.> MORE

Financial Fundamentals

Managing the finances of a PTA is crucial to everything else you do. Not only is it essential for reasons relating to the funding of programs or events, but there are federal requirements all not-for-profit organizations must follow or risk losing their tax exempt status.

National PTA has gathered several resources relating to basic financial management to help you effectively run your PTA and fulfill your goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Hosting a Candidates Forum

Information on how your PTA can conduct and informative meeting of local candidates while protecting your not-for-profit status and abiding to PTA's non-endorsement policy.

Membership Cards

Print your membership cards quickly and easily with Online Membership Dues Reporting (OMDR). See below for more information.

Online Membership Dues Reporting (OMDR)

For years, PTAs have wanted a mechanism that would allow them to more quickly and cost-effectively collect dues, communicate with members, track demographics, and offer more member benefits. Finally, technology has caught up with that desire, resulting in National PTA’s Online Membership and Dues Reporting (OMDR) project.

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Designed to give local units a direct pipeline to enter data into the system, this unprecedented access will help all levels of the association be more efficient with funds and better responders to member needs, and will point to areas where PTA can expand service.

Discuss OMDR with other PTA leaders on our bulletin board (login required).

What you get

• Better dues and member information
• Solid technology hosted by National PTA, at no cost to you 
• Automatic upgrades
• Quicker servicing
• Security 
• Remote access
• Ability to print membership cards
• Integration
• Control
• Same work, more benefits

Parliamentary Procedure and Amendments

A tip sheet for PTA leaders on steps to processing a motion, amending motions, and more.

Planning Your Year

Planning and promoting your PTA programs and events is one of the most important responsibilities in a PTA. All of our programs and events are tied to our work as child advocates and supporters of public education.

PTA Programs

Use these PTA programs to enhance student learning, health, and welfare, and increase parent involvement. Included are 10 Programs to Go on topics all communities can use, talking with kids about tough issues like sex and HIV/AIDS, the Reflections Program, and Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence Certification.

PTA Events 

Take a look at these resources for holding PTA-sponsored events; Teacher Appreciation Week, Back-to-School, Doors Open After School, Founders Day, and Take Charge of Your TV Week.