This
is a very important this year, with this being an upcoming legislative session! Please consider participation in this exciting area of PTA work. PTA has a very
strong and credible voice when advocating for children. Many voices will make a
difference in a world where the young are seldom heard.
Member-To-Member Network Information
in PDF
Member-To-Member Network Application
in PDF
For more information, contact:
Sherlynn Stewart,
Legislative/Advocacy Vice
President
PO BOX 6448
Great Falls, MT 59406
406-
e-mail:
advocacy@montanapta.org
The Montana PTA
Member-To-Member Network: This statewide
network is an expansion of the national network to the state and local level.
It is the link the Montana PTA has with the state legislature. This network
will be active primarily when the state legislature is in session or when state
and local officials are making decisions which affect the well-being of children
and youth in our communities.
The most important qualification for this job is the willingness to
make a
firm commitment to “work the system” by communicating PTA concern to members
of the state legislature from your area. Members of the Montana PTA network
will receive specific directives from the Montana PTA Advocacy Vice President as
well as background information on specific issues. The Member-To-Member
volunteer may be asked to phone a legislator(s); write a letter; ask local PTA
members to write a letter or make a phone call; or testify in Helena during the
session.
The Montana PTA Advocacy Vice President will maintain close contact with team
members during a legislative session and will provide training opportunities and
technical assistance throughout the year. Team members will be asked to assume
responsibility for becoming knowledgeable about PTA positions, priorities and
programs, as well as to respond quickly to legislative alerts and other requests
for action. Because you are a member of the network, it is assumed that you
will represent the PTA in a responsible and accurate manner. In the event that
you are unable to personally embrace a specific PTA issue, you are asked to
inform the Montana PTA Advocacy Vice President as soon as possible.
No individual PTA member will
be expected to compromise his or her personal values.
The National PTA
Member-To-Member Network: Within each
state, PTA members are assigned as special contacts to the U.S. Senators and
Representatives. The PTA member is the direct link to the legislator and
expresses to elected officials the National PTA positions on the legislation
affecting children and youth.
Members will be sent a
National PTA Alert or Call to Action with
information on the legislation being considered. Included with the Alert
will be the PTA position on the issue. Members are asked to express National
PTA positions to the congressman indicated on your application and send a copy
of your correspondence to the State Advocacy Vice President.
