Board of Directors

The board shares a few, very specific responsibilities. They include the following:

Duty of Care. Each board member has a legal responsibility to participate actively in making decisions on behalf of our PTA and to exercise his or her best judgment while doing so.
Duty of Loyalty. Each board member must put the interests of the organization before their personal and professional interests when acting on behalf of the organization in a decision-making capacity. Our PTA’s needs come first.
Duty of Obedience. Board members bear the legal responsibility of ensuring that your PTA complies with the applicable federal, state and local laws and adheres to its mission.
Focus on and evaluate goals. Our board should have overall goals for the year that are in line with PTA's mission, including membership goals. Regularly assess progress toward those goals.
Set the tone. Maintain a positive working relationship among PTA board members and a welcoming environment for the rest of the membership.
Know and follow your organization's bylaws, as well as applicable state and federal laws. These are the rules your PTA will follow.
Know our finances, approve and oversee our budget.
Plan for rotation and transition. Our PTA board will grow stronger when we consistently recruit new members and leaders. Know when terms ends, and plan for a smooth transition by saving reports, files and notes for our successors.

President

Leadership in creating partnerships within our community and fostering an environment where family engagement is encouraged and respected. Responsibilities include:

Chairing board and general meetings
Overseeing fiscal compliance
Serve as a liaison with school administration or community partners
Check in regularly with officers and committees to ensure the overall plan is on target
Identify challenges and invite solutions
Be familiar with all PTA programs and resources
Represent PTA to the community
Recruit and mentor volunteers and future leaders
Volunteer at events, when available

Treasurer

Our PTA relies on this person to ensure that appropriate financial records are kept, a budget is established and followed and controls are in place to prevent theft or fraud. Responsibilities include:

Keeping accurate records and submitting written financial statements for meetings
Chairing the Budget Committee, which prepares and monitors the annual budget
Ensuring an audit, financial review or compilation is done in accordance with the bylaws
Preparing an annual report to be used to review your PTA financial records
Filing your PTA's 990 report to the IRS on time
Submitting state-level reports and filings as required
Overseeing proper handling of money, such as ensuring money is collected, counted, recorded and deposited promptly and appropriately
Ensuring financial checks and balances are in place at all times

Secretary

You will serve our PTA by keeping an accurate record of meetings, which become part of the permanent history of the PTA and responsibility for maintaining all PTA correspondence, including communications with members and notifications for meetings. When possible, this position is split into two roles: Recording Secretary and Communications Secretary.

Organize and Record Meetings: ensure that meetings are efficient by providing written communication with PTA members and board. These responsibilities include:

Working with the president to create an agenda
Send out meeting announcements, agendas and supporting documents
Take attendance and check for quorum (minimum number of members who must be present to conduct business at a meeting) during voting
Take minutes, including counting and recording any votes
Present the draft minutes of the previous meeting, making any corrections and ensuring approved minutes are included in your PTA's permanent record

Membership

The Membership Chair or committee is responsible for growing membership and ensuring timely, accurate communication with other PTA committees and officers. Membership Chairs are often tasked with:

Developing and deploying a year-round membership recruitment and retention plan (with emphasis during big Back to School)
Coaching other PTA leaders in how to talk positively about PTA and membership with others
Set-up the membership categories for an online membership system and/or pricing for the new year
Drafting and distributing membership promotions and sign-up tools
Promoting membership at events at PTA, school and community events
Encouraging online PTA membership sign-ups
Create or make improvements to your member onboarding process
Providing membership reports to the officers or board
Provide PTA history and accomplishments