Welcome to 2010!

Now, be honest, how many of you have already broken at least one of your New Year’s Resolutions? I resolved this year not to make a resolution that was easy to break!

I resolved to 1) learn to tie my bow ties for myself, 2) work on improving my poker game, 3) play golf more often, 4) stop eating French Fries (which will be tough) and 5) walk more (had to do something healthy besides stop eating the fries).

One easy resolution that we all should remember is asking one person to join PTA.

Membership campaigns should be a year-round effort. PTA has built its history, and reputation, on the many voices speaking as one for all students. Yet, we see so many that are not part of the family. Are your neighbors members? How about your school board members? Does your school have 100% teacher membership? If you’re in a middle school, junior high or high school; how many of your students are members?

I find it impossible to believe that we each do not know at least one person we can recruit that is currently not a PTA member.

I can hear it now. I don’t have kids in school, why should I join PTA? Why not? When schools succeed, children succeed. When schools succeed, communities succeed. When businesses see this success they are more often willing to invest in that community. The tax base grows and everyone sees success, and that’s just one talking point.

By the way, Mom, is Dad a member?

Please join us by helping secure one new PTA member as your New Year's Resolution. Good things will happen.

Until next time!
Charles “Chuck” Saylors
President, National PTA

In 2007 the National PTA Board of Directors authorized the formation of a National PTA Advisory Board. The charge was to assemble a group of talented, energetic and knowledgeable individuals from corporate America and the area of public service to help PTA expand on all levels. This Board was to be comprised of 15 individuals, along with the three National PTA Officers, and chaired by the National PTA President-Elect.

Well, we’re proud to say that the dream has become a reality. Hosted by our friends at Viacom in late 2009, the first meeting of the Advisory Board was held in New York City. To say that there was energy in the room would be an understatement. Representatives from the media industry, Target, Viacom, Jamba Juice, Aetna, The Parenting Group, the Tommy Hilfiger Foundation, McGraw Hill, and Verizon addressed everything from communications to membership to non-dues revenue to strategic planning; it was indeed a great time together.

PTA wants to thank our Advisory Board members, and the corporations they represent, for their time, talent and dedication. We are all looking forward to some exciting ideas for PTA and I for one am glad these folks are on our team!

Please visit http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2009/pta_91210/index.html to find out more about the Advisory Board.

Until next time,
Charles "Chuck" Saylors
President, National PTA