Legislative Assembly
2007 Assembly - October 5-6 - SeaTac Marriott- SeaTac
Registration is $120 - meals are not included
One-hundred years ago PTA was founded as a child advocacy organization and advocacy is still an important part of our mission. We all joined PTA to make a difference for kids and participating in Legislative Assembly is an essential part of making that difference. Because there are so many issues impacting children and PTA's resources are limited, it is essential that Washington State PTA identify which are the most critical.
This annual process begins each spring when PTA members submit issues important to them and their community. It carries forward at Legislative Assembly where attendees learn more about proposed issues and let their voice be heard to determine Washington State PTA's Legislative Priorities. It culminates with the advocacy that we do with the issues during the legislative session.
Current proposed issues have been compiled into a survey and members are encouraged to complete surveys to determine the priorities of their PTA. Then, it is critical to ensure that the "voice" of your PTA is heard by sending a delegate to the annual Legislative Assembly. Your membership count at the end of last year dictates the number of voting delegates you are entitled to send to the Assembly. You can save $$$ by registering online by the early registration deadline. You can save additional money by making your hotel reservation ASAP.
Five easy steps to prepare for the Legislative Assembly!
1. Select your delegates. And find members who are willing to be alternates in case one of your delegates is unable to attend. Get started early, this gives potential delegates more time to plan.
• Consult your standing rules. Your local unit/council standing rules should specify how your delegates are selected. If they don’t, make sure that you update them.
• Be sure to include the names of your voting delegates in your September board of directors or general membership meeting minutes.
2. Plan a budget. The local unit pays for the Legislative Assembly registration fee and should cover the cost of lodging for their delegates. Some local units also include mileage reimbursement costs in their budget.
• Your budget should include a “legislative” line item. If it does not, your board of directors must vote to authorize the expenses for the legislative assembly. Revise your budget asap.
3. Register your delegates. Complete the required registration form for your delegates and promptly mail to the WSPTA office. Pre-registration typically costs less. WSPTA has also utilized an on-line registration tool that simplifies the process.
• Each local unit must make their own room reservation. Hotel room costs are NOT included in the Legislative Assembly registration and must be paid separately. It may even be possible to share room expenses with other local units. WSPTA reserves a block of hotel rooms at the Legislative Assembly host facility, be sure to mention that you are with PTA when you make your reservation.
4. Establish voting instructions. Give your delegates some direction as to how to vote on the proposed legislative issues.
• Conduct a member survey of the issues and give the results to your delegates. Back to School night is a great time to do this, and the WSPTA website usually has a sample survey available for use.
• Additional information and other persuasive arguments are likely to be presented. Your delegates should be able to take this information into account when it’s time to vote.
• Empower your delegates. Include voting instructions in your minutes, for example. “Delegates should take into consideration local unit input, but are allowed to vote their conscience”.
• Reading through this material in advance will help orient your delegates and enable them to prepare questions in advance.
5. Review Legislative Assembly materials. Each delegate will be mailed a packet of materials including the agenda, standing rules, and issue information.
We suggest that you should plan to collect survey input at your first general meeting of the year and/or use different delivery vehicles such as e-mail and/or websites to reach as much of your membership and community as possible per the survey guidelines.
A Legislative Assembly Flyer, Registration Form, and online registration as well as additional information on proposed issues are also available at http://www.wastatepta.org and clicking on "Legislation". For more information, contact Dawn McCravey at dawn.mccravey@comcast.net.