| Consider taking the chairmanship
on a continuous basis, which will help you
will understand it and feel comfortable in handling the position. Make sure you take the appropriate PTA Courses. You will be able to understand PTA legislation better if you understand how PTA functions. Call the District Director to make arrangements for the courses. Join the Illinois PTA Legislative Network for Call-to-Actions. PTA presidents who are acting as legislation chairmen must get their name on this list as well. ALL CALL-TO-ACTIONS are provided to you in this fashion. All CALL-TO-ACTIONS are posted on the Illinois PTA web site. It is advisable to visit this web site frequently. www.illinoispta.org Provide the National PTA your e-mail or fax number so you can receive all Member-to-Member (a grassroots advocacy system that provides direct contact with PTA members with members of Congress) National PTA reports on THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON and all legislative ACTION ALERTS. To join the network, e-mail them at http://capwiz.com/npta2/mlm/signup Find the link to the network on the left-hand column, and click on “Join” to complete and submit an online application. Familiarize yourself with the legislation packets you receive. Determine what materials need to be kept year after year, including past resolutions. Before the Illinois PTA Convention, your president will receive pre-convention information that contains any resolutions that have been recommended by the state board of managers. You can also view the proposed resolutions online at the Illinois PTA web site. Go to the Illinois PTA Convention and attend all legislation-related workshops. The agenda for General Session III features current state/federal legislation and resolutions. Report back to your PTA on the information you have learned. There is a post-convention packet that will provide all the finalized resolutions that were passed at the convention, and any resolves of action taken for bills at the convention. Legislation chairmen can be actively involved in writing resolutions on important issues for children. Obtain and read the publications suggested below. Following legislation in the newspapers and on TV/radio is also helpful. Doing this will keep you up-to-date and you will always have something to report to your PTA board. Ask your PTA to budget money for legislation. Expenses could include paper, envelopes and stamps. Also consider funds to send the legislation chairman to Springfield for various PTA sponsored events, Lobby Day, and workshops. Keep in mind that with the PTA’s 501(c)(3) status you cannot spend more than 5% of your total budget for legislative activities. Give PTA board and members a list of their federal and state legislators. Introduce your board and members to letter writing on special issues. Give them examples of what to say in an e-mail response for a CALL-TO-ACTION. Provide them with correct e-mail addresses for legislators (October legislation packet). When Illinois PTA District 28 offers the Community Awareness workshop, plan to attend. Include PTA legislation reprints in your PTA newsletter/web site. Attend any Illinois PTA “Hot Topics” or Legislation Conference when offered. The information provided changes each year. Invite your legislators to visit your school. You can ask them to speak about how a bill is passed or what they actually do in Springfield. Your legislators enjoy interacting with children of all ages. Hold a candidate’s forum at your school for school board or other local/state elections. Hold a Town Hall Meeting on educational/legislation issues. Conduct voter’s registration at every PTA function. Introduce yourself to your superintendent and the members of the school board. You and your PTA members can help in writing letters or e-mails to legislators that could benefit your school district. Determine a teacher contact within your local district, such as a union representative, who can convey legislative issues to the teachers. Learn how your PTA can help your school district pass a referendum. Create an e-mail tree so you can forward all CALL-TO-ACTION materials to people throughout your school district. Keep a list of your legislative activities. Examples would be: The number of letters written, the subject and to whom they were written, or personal contact with your legislators. If you follow these tips, you, along with your local unit members, will become outstanding advocates for children. Audrey McAdams, Illinois
District 28 Legislation Assistant
|
| Illinois PTA www.illinoispta.org |
National PTA, www.pta.org |
Center for Tax and Budget
Accountability, www.ctbaonline.org |
Illinois General Assembly, www.ilga.gov |
| Illinois Government Information, www.illinois.go |
Illinois School Board of
Education, www.isbe.ne |
Resource for Illinois
Governmental Agencies, www.firstgov.gov |
Better Funding for Better Schools www.betterfundingforbetterschools.com |
| Legislation Packets and Alerts |
Available from the Illinois PTA
(1-800-877-9617). One copy is sent to the PTA President and the Legislation Chairman. |
Call to Action |
Alerts are sent to you by e-mail. The Illinois PTA web site www.illinoispta.org, has a legislation area that provides many resources and all CALL-TO-ACTIONS. |
Illinois
District 28 PTA
MATTERS
|
Published (4-6 issues) during
the school year One copy is sent to each PTA president at no cost. |
| First Reading Contains information on Illinois Legislation There is no cost |
Illinois General Assembly Suite 301 222 S. College Springfield, IL 62704 |
Illinois Issues Magazine This is a dynamite source of Illinois legislation. |
Illinois Issues Subscription Department University of Illinois at Springfield P.O. Box 19243 Springfield, IL 62794-9980 $39 per year |