Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PTA?

A PTA is a local, self-governing unit. It promotes the purposes, policies and guiding principles of the state branch and the National PTA as it plans programs and activities to meet the needs of children and youth in the community. It is linked through its all-inclusive membership and by its acceptance of the Purposes and policies of the National PTA and the State PTA. It shares in the resources of the entire organization such as national and state conventions, workshops, conferences, publicity and special leadership development conferences.

Requirements for organizing a PTA:

• Have 10 (ten) individuals willing to become members. To remain in good standing, annual PTA enrollment must be at least 10 members for a school enrollment of less than 200. For school enrollment of 200 or more, PTAs are required to enroll at least 25 members annually.
• Be committed to the purposes, basic policies and guiding principles of the PTA

How can I become a member?

Option 1: Just call your local public school. If they have a PTA, they will be able to tell you how to join. Remember, PTA membership is open to everyone. You do not have to be a parent to join.

Option 2: The SCPTA office has a state membership unit that can be joined and will provide all the same benefits. Join SCPTA

Is it expensive to be a PTA member?

No! PTA membership is very reasonable. While each local PTA sets its own membership fee, the average is under $10 per member to belong for an entire year.

Are there many PTA members?

PTA is the largest volunteer organization in the United States with one purpose--to serve children, their families, and their school communities. There are approximately five million PTA members in the nation, and over 40,000 PTA members in South Carolina.

What if my local school doesn’t have a PTA?

Contact the SCPTA Office at 803-765-0806 or office@scpta.org. A district president or board member will be in touch with you.

What does your PTA mean?

• It means investing in your children’s future.
• It means having a voice in local, state, and national decisions on issues and concerns facing today’s children and youth.
• It means having access to valuable resources and materials on parenting, education, health, and safety topics.
• It means being part of the national PTA, the largest volunteer organization dedicated exclusively to advocating on behalf of all children, and being part of your state and district PTA.

Why does the local unit need to know my name?

IRS regulations require that 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations keep an accurate accounting of each member. Member’s information is kept confidential and used solely by PTA to determine how to best provide benefits to its members.

Where does the money go?

PTA members often wonder how membership dues are used. Here are some of the services funded by membership dues at different levels of PTA.

• Local PTA and PTSA Dues: programs for students and parents; training for volunteers; MemberHub Software for all Local Units
• District PTA Dues: leadership training; workshops and conferences; outreach services; community projects benefiting children and youth
• State PTA Dues: materials, resources, and publications; webinars, scholarships, field service; child advocacy.
• National PTA Dues: all of the above, on the national level

Can students be involved in PTA?

Student involvement in middle, junior high and high schools is a very important part of PTA. In fact, PTSAs encourage student involvement. Students are involved as full members, with all the rights of the parent, teacher and other adult members. It is very valuable to involve the students in all planning and decision making for all of your PTAs projects. Students are an asset; they are in tune with the needs of the school.

Will local leaders receive leadership training and support?

SCPTA offers leadership development assistance in many forms.

• Regional Trainings - Held throughout the year, these trainings will help get you off to a great start. Offerings include workshops for all PTA leaders and other stakeholders who are interested in the welfare of children and youth in your school and community. We are offering one-on-one training or whole group for your local PTA.
• District /Council Conferences and Meetings- The Districts/Councils of the South Carolina PTA have meetings, conferences, webinars and schools of instruction to provide leadership development to local PTAs and PTSAs. To find out about your district, contact the District President in your area or the South Carolina PTA at office@scpta.org or 803-765-0806.
• Legislative Conference – Gives delegates an opportunity to approve the South Carolina PTA Legislative Platform, a vehicle that speaks on behalf of all of the children of South Carolina. Assistance in understanding bills and how the legislative process works can be learned by attending this conference.

What else does South Carolina PTA offer?

• Reflections Arts Program--arts contest for students in grades K-12.
• Helen Stokes Memorial Scholarships--college scholarships for graduating high school seniors.
• Endowment Fund Grants-- merit grants for local PTA units to implement programs in their schools to promote the purposes of PTA.
• Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence Certification--National PTA program that recognizes schools for excellence in parent/family Involvement programs.
• SCPTA Awards Program--recognition to local units for outstanding programs, membership campaigns, legislative advocacy, parent and volunteer programs as well as recognition for outstanding principal, volunteer, and teacher of the year.

What does it mean to be a SCPTA unit in "Good Standing"?

All PTA local units must meet the following requirements to remain in good standing with the South Carolina PTA and the National PTA. A local unit must annually:

• Adhere to the purposes and principles of PTA outlined in Articles II and III of the SCPTA and local unit bylaws;
• Maintain current bylaws that are:
  • Updated as stipulated by the SCPTA Board of Directors;
  • Approved by the Board of Directors;
  • Approved by the General Membership; and,
  • Approved by SCPTA;
• Maintain at least fifteen (15) members and submit names and contact information of all members to SCPTA through Givebacks;
• Submit names and contact information of officers and Principal(s) to SCPTA through Givebacks by July 1st or within fifteen (15) days of elections if held after July 1st;
• Maintain liability (minimum $2 million) and bond (minimum $10 thousand) insurance and submit proof of coverage to SCPTA through Givebacks by October 1st;
• Conduct an annual financial review and submit the review and year-end financial report to SCPTA through Givebacks by November 15th;
• File a federal tax return (990, 990EZ, or 990N) for the previous year and submit proof of submission or extension by the Internal Revenue Service to SCPTA through Givebacks by November 15th;
• Submit an annual budget and minutes from a General Membership meeting approving the budget to SCPTA through Givebacks by November 15th;
• Register and file any required documents with the South Carolina Secretary of State by November 15th; and,
• Set aside the SCPTA and National PTA portion of dues paid by each member and remit the dues by required date

Does a PTA ever lose its identity?

Yes. There are three ways by which a PTA may cease to function as an organization. The unit charter must be returned to the South Carolina PTA should any of the following occur:

• Two or more organized local PTAs combine.
• A unit fails to pay the national and state portion of its dues by March 31. Reinstatement must be resolved through the South Carolina PTA office and the treasurer.
• A PTA unit, by due process, votes to dissolve. Steps on dissolution are fully outlined in the South Carolina PTA Bylaws and are listed below.

STEPS FOR DISSOLUTION: Dissolution of a unit annuls its bylaws. The motion "to dissolve as a unit of the PTA" is the same as a motion to amend its bylaws by rescinding the entire document. Therefore, a 30-day prior notice and a two-thirds vote of all members present (a quorum being established) is required for such action.

What do I do if I have questions about membership?

Please contact office@scpta.org

Making every child’s potential a reality.