The seven commissions can be classified into two groups: (1) those dealing primarily with internal, organizational matters: special events, leadership services, membership services, and communications; and (2) those dealing with external issues in which PTA has a vital interest: health & community concerns, education, and family engagement.
The commissions are chaired by vice presidents elected biennially by the PTA membership at the annual convention in odd-numbered years. Commissioners are appointed members who serve during the administration. The treasurer serves on the leadership services commission.
California State PTA constantly assesses children’s needs to determine where and how PTA action should be initiated or intensified. State resolutions, letters, and results of studies from unit, council, and district PTAs as well as National PTA programs and priorities provide direction to the California State PTA Board of Managers. Each commission develops its plan of action based on the goals and priorities of the association.
The work of the commissions is facilitated through special committee studies and cooperation with statewide allied groups, agencies, and coalitions whose goals are similar to PTAs. Each commission is responsible for providing leadership and education to unit, council, and district PTAs to help implement the projects and activities that fall within its area of concern. Through PTA in California, the website – capta.org – and other avenues of communication, unit, council, and district PTAs are kept informed of current projects, the progress of studies, and the initiation of new projects.
The Communications Commission is responsible for internal and external California State PTA publicity. Its work includes news releases and news conferences; radio and TV appearances by California State PTA Board of Managers members; website maintenance (capta.org); social media outreach; and development, design, and publication of print and digital communications including PTA in California, PTA Connects, and SMARTS. It is responsible for concerns related to mass media and their effects on children, youth, and families.
The Commission supports collaborations among parents, schools, communities, institutions, agencies and organizations, which are essential to the health, wellbeing and academic success of California’s children and youth.
The Special Events Commission plans, implements and evaluates facilities, vendors, security, transportation and operations of special training events for California State PTA including convention/annual meeting, regional trainings and more.
The Education Commission focuses on policies, pending legislation and education trends affecting public education. Education commissioners represent California State PTA on numerous statewide coalitions and committees to bring the parent perspective to policymakers and the public. The commission provides tools and information to actively engage PTAs throughout California in local and statewide efforts to ensure that every child has the opportunity for an excellent education.
The Leadership Services Commission is responsible for strengthening and extending the work of PTA. Its activities include providing opportunities for leadership development and training to unit, council, and district PTAs; giving guidance in strengthening, organizing, reorganizing, and disbanding unit, council, and district PTAs; and generally augmenting the influence and public understanding of PTA, its purpose, and work.
The Legislation Team includes the director of legislation, an advocate for federal issues, and state legislative advocates who specialize in specific issues regarding education, family engagement, community concerns, and health as these affect children, youth and families.
The team works closely with the commissions dealing with external issues. The commissions are responsible for preparing background information and authority for bills in their subject matter area and for recommending appropriate action. Once a position has been adopted, the legislation team is responsible for all further actions on related legislation. This includes relaying information on PTA positions to legislators and communicating PTA action on legislation-related matters to the constituent organizations of California State PTA.
The Membership Services Commission promotes the value of PTA in membership recruitment and retention strategies including marketing outreach and implementation of PTA programs such as National PTA Reflections Art Program, Founders Day, scholarships and grants, awards and more.
The Family Engagement Commission acknowledges parents as the first teachers of their child and realizes the integral role that parents play in the total development of the child.
The commission supports parents/guardians and family caregivers by strengthening/teaching parenting skills and encouraging involvement in schools and at home, supporting the understanding of childhood development stages, providing resource materials such as the Family Engagement Pocket Pal (in English and Spanish), and networking with agencies and groups that focus on parent involvement.
Student State Board Members serve as commissioners on the California State PTA Board of Managers. Student Commissioners are members of the Student Involvement Committee, assigned to a commission and included in the planning and presentation of student involvement workshops. Involving youth on the California State PTA Board of Managers is part of California State PTA’s commitment to training students as community leaders and advocates by giving students a voice and working with them on their concerns. For information on applying to become a student state board member, contact your district PTA president or go to the Student Involvement web page at capta.org (Involving Students).