FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Membership Dues:

When should membership dues be turned in?  On the first day of the next month after collected.

How do we send in our membership dues?  Fill out a Dues Remittance Form, enclose a check for the number of dues listed and mail to the State Office at the address on the form.

How much do we send into the state office for our dues?  For each member, a total of $3.75 is sent into the state office to cover the state & national dues.  For each business membership, $5.00 is sent into the state office.

Where do I find a Dues Remittance Form?  A copy is provided in the Tool Kit sent to the unit president or here on the state web site under “Forms and Award”.   (link here)

Membership Cards:

Who decides how many cards our unit gets?  Cards are sent to the unit president based on the number of memberships turned in to the state office during the previous year.

How do I get more membership cards?  On the Dues Remittance Form is an area to ask for more membership cards.  Keep in mind….we will not send more cards unless you have submitted enough dues to show you need more cards.

Where do I find my unit’s ID number?  Units can find their ID# on the information sheet sent to presidents in the Tool Kit or (of course) by contacting the state office.

Who should get a membership card?  Every member.  A card is only issued to one person and should never list more than one name.  It should never be issued to “Mr. & Mrs.” or to the “Jones Family”.

What do I do if a membership card(s) get damaged?  If a mistake occurs with your membership cards due to a misprint, damage by the printer, etc., return the damaged cards to the State PTA office and replacement cards will be sent to you.

What do I do with leftover membership cards?  Return your unused cards to the State PTA office.

OMDR:

Why should my unit enter our membership in the OMDR database?   National PTA needs the data on PTA members to comply with the Federal laws.  It is also used to connect MO PTA and National PTA with all its members as well as offering a valuable database and communication tool for your unit.

When should I enter my members into OMDR?  You should enter members as they join.

Membership:

Can only a parent or teacher become a PTA member?  No.  Everyone and anyone can be a PTA member.

When do we end our membership campaign?  You don’t.  You may sell memberships throughout the year.  While you may want to establish a deadline for certain incentives or prizes, anyone should be able to buy a membership at any time during the school year.

Do we have to use the state Membership Theme?  No, it is only provided as a suggestion.  You may use whatever membership theme best fits your school and campaign.

Awards:

What are the Membership Awards?  There are several different membership awards.  Early Bird, Golden Gavel, Community Involvement, Students Make a Difference, Silver Acorn, Exclusive 100, 100% Faculty/Golden Apple and the Outstanding Membership Campaign Grant.

Where can I find the Membership award applications?  Copies of the award applications can be found in the Tool Kit sent to each unit president, on the website under Awards.

When is the last date for dues to count towards awards?  Dues must be postmarked by March 1st, to count toward awards.

What is the deadline for Membership awards?  Membership award applications must be postmarked by April 15th.  The only exceptions to this are the following:  Outstanding Membership Grant – due April 1st; the Early Bird, Golden Gavel & Community Involvement awards are not application awards and are figured by the state office.

How does our unit make the Missouri PTA Honor Roll?  PTA units that send in dues equal to or greater than the previous year’s membership are automatically placed on the Honor Roll.  Dues must be postmarked by March 1, to count toward this award.

Unit in Good Standing:

How do we become a Unit in Good Standing?  There are 4 main elements to being a Unit in Good Standing; Membership Dues turned in regularly; Unit Audit to State Office by November 1st; Bylaws current; Officer’s list to State Office by March 31st.

How often do our bylaws have to be reviewed?  Bylaws are required to be reviewed/updated and sent to the state office every three years.

What if we don’t have all the positions filled requested on the Officer’s Form?  Fill in the information known on the officer’s form by March 31st, and then send the other information as positions are filled.

Miscellaneous:

Missouri PTA Honor Roll

PTA units are placed on the “Honor Roll” if memberships postmarked by March 1, are equal to or greater than last year’s membership.