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Apply to Join the J.C./D.C. Member-to-Member Network

. Posted in Capitol Chatter

The J.C./D.C. Member-to-Member Network is the grassroots advocacy system that promotes direct contact by PTA members to members of the Missouri House and Senate, and in the case of National PTA, provides direct contact by PTA members to members of the United States Congress.

When there is a federal PTA issue of high priority, National PTA sends legislative ACTION ALERTS through the network, explaining the pending issue and asking members to contact their policy makers. Because these Alerts are time-sensitive, they are issued only by e-mail. Therefore, your current e-mail address is needed.

Each Alert contains all of the information you need to effectively advance National PTA's position. For additional background information, alerts, or sample letters that you can personalize with local facts and individual information, go to the "Issues and Actions" section of National PTA's website at http://www.pta.org/. You can also e-mail your legislators by simply entering your five-digit zip code at http://capwiz.com/npta2/home/.

When there is a state PTA issue of high priority, Missouri PTA sends legislative ACTION ALERTS through the network, explaining the pending issue and asking members to contact their state legislators. Missouri PTA issues these alerts by e-mail only. Missouri PTA does not have the capability to offer direct e-mail contact with legislators, unfortunately. Members are asked to e-mail or call their legislators on their own.

Expressing an opinion differing from that of National PTA or Missouri PTA when you are speaking on behalf of the association is inappropriate, and is grounds for removal from the network. National PTA and Missouri PTA positions are determined through the democratic process of voting on resolutions at convention or are adopted by the elected Board of Directors. Members of the network are expected to support and promote PTA legislative policies.

Determining the policy makers' positions on PTA issues and forwarding this information to National PTA's Washington DC Office are equally important. Completing the Individual Reply form in each Alert helps the Washington DC staff assess legislators' support, determines which legislators may need to be contacted again, and gives a personal reference point when an office visit is made by our staff.  When your message is sent via e-mail through National PTA's website, a copy is automatically sent to National PTA. Missouri PTA would appreciate feedback via e-mail messages to the state office, the Vice president, Department of Legislation or the State Legislative Chair.

As a member of the Member-to-Member Network, you automatically receive a subscription to the electronic weekly newsletter This Week in Washington.

Your advocacy efforts are vitally important in bringing you message to lawmakers and policy makers all across the nation.  Your actions throughout the year will make a difference for the children, families and schools in your community.  Thank you for joining Missouri PTA and National PTA's J.C./D.C. Member-to-Member Network and for speaking on behalf of every child with one voice--the PTA voice!

In order to participate in the J.C./D.C. Member-to-Member Network, one must: 

  • Be a PTA member. 
  • Respond to Legislative Action Alerts in a timely manner.
  • Express the positions of Missouri PTA and National PTA, as set forth in Alerts and based on resolutions and position statements.
  • Provide feedback to Missouri PTA's office on state action alerts and National PTA office on national action alerts regarding their legislative contacts.
  • Understand the legislative issues upon which action is requested.
  • Contact the state office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) with your request to join.  Please include your name, address, phone and e-mail.