What is advocacy?
Anyone who speaks for another is an advocate. PTA is an advocate for children and their families on a wide variety of child-related issues in the areas of education, health and well being, and parent involvement. The purpose of advocacy is to communicate to decision makers to inform, educate, persuade or increase the level of awareness about an issue. Decision makers include elected and appointed officials, legislative bodies, school boards, SBDM Councils, and judges.
- Keep informed about the issues.
- Choose issues important to your membership.
- Build support of members for your cause.
- Learn to work together.
- Recruit new members
- Take risks
- Retain your commitment to change.
How are PTA positions developed? All PTA positions are derived from voted positions. The Kentucky PTA Legislative Platform and resolutions are approved each year by delegates at the state convention. Each local PTA/PTSA in good standing is entitled to be represented at the annual convention of the Kentucky PTA by its president, or alternate; and one (1) additional delegate for every twenty-five (25) members or a major fraction thereof. All legislation supported or opposed by the Kentucky PTA is based on the voted positions of the Kentucky and National PTA.
PTA: A Voice for All Children and Youth
Children can't vote. Lawmakers, whether they serve in state legislatures or the U.S. Congress, listen to voting blocks. Because children can not vote and are therefore not heard, PTAs across the country exist as their voice. Whether they are trying to ensure children are immunized against disease, have access to a quality education, or protected against school violence, PTA members make themselves heard - everychild.onevoice. Add your name to the KY PTA legislative contact list by contacting Sharon Whitworth, KY PTA Legislative Commissioner at sharon.whitworth@jefferson.kyschools.us
Kentucky PTA: Paul Mason Legislative Advocate for Children Award Dr. Jon Draud was presented the Paul Mason Legislative Advocate for Children Award at Convention/Leadership July, 2007 for his exceptional efforts advocating for children and educational issues. In addition to serveral years of service in the education field, Dr. Draud has been a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since 1999 and is vice chairman of the House Education Committee. He hosts "Education Issues," a half-hour weekly, public affairs program covering educational concerns from preschool through post-graduate study. In December of 2007 Dr. Draud was named Kentucky's fourth Commissioner of Education.
