Outreach: Building Your PTA Community

The whole PTA organization (from National to Washington State, to here in Auburn) supports diversity and encourages a spirit of Inclusion and Involvement for all units. Take a moment to consider if  unit is fully representing all of the children and families of your school: new families, working moms, single parents, bilingual or ESL families, dads...  There are many ways a unit can start introducing Outreach ideas and growing your unit to include the rich diversity from your community. 

First look at your unit's strengths. (For example, strong core of volunteers, parents dedicated to educational goals, involved teachers).  Then decide where the needs of your unit may be. For example, you could set a goal of increasing the number of dads who participate, or improve your unit's communication with bilingual families, or perhaps reach out to working families. Take a look at the demographics of your school as well.  Your principal and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is a great resource for this. 


Use all this information to determine your school greatest need. Look around and start making connections with people in your school who can help achieve your goals! As a PTA unit, you can make a goal of one targeted group per year.  That way the focus is on one group, and they can receive the focus and training that is needed to be successful within the core group.  And your unit can feel successful as well. 

Another way you can gather some great information is to conduct a members survey. Surveys are a great way to see what the needs of your members are.  Keep them short, offer translated versions, avoid asking leading questions, you can even use multiple choice. Consider testing the questions on a small group such as your Board of Directors o make sure the survey makes sense.  Combine your results and take action!


The best leaders welcome the rich diversity in language, culture, and family structure in our changing student populations.  These leaders are bold, and adhere to a powerful vision, with a clear focus on results.  Leaders look beyond the barriers and see opportunities. Have fun reaching out to your amazing community!

--Amy Kulp, Council Outreach Chair