How to Run for President of the PTA

Serving your child's school through the PTA is an admirable goal. Many PTAs contribute to the fun aspects of a child's life, such as events or parties, while others choose to focus on supporting teachers and curriculum. If you'd like to run for President of your child's school's PTA, read on to keep some simple tips in mind.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Follow the charter. Most PTAs or family councils have an active constitution or charter in place to organize the group. Find out the rules or processes for running by asking current board members or other parents. The teacher representative is also a great source of help, as they are more permanent than parents who tend to follow their children on to middle school.
2. Stay active. Don't expect to be nominated or win a position without contributing and volunteering in other ways. Not only is it usually fun to run events or support a classroom, you also get to meet a lot of the people who may eventually vote for you based on your desire and ability to serve.
3. Get nominated or volunteer. However your particular group handles the election process, make your desire known. If you need a nomination, ask a close friend, fellow volunteer or your child's teacher to nominate you.
4. Make connections. If there is a gap in time between the nomination and election process, use that time to talk to other parents about your desire to serve. Always frame these interactions in a positive manner. If you talk about changes you want to make, focus on the betterment of the school, not all the things that you thought were wrong in the past.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't blow anything off. If you are presented with the option to make a speech or other "campaign" materials before an election, do it. Leaders, even PTA leaders, are proactive, professional people. Now is your chance to demonstrate that.