How to Implement Resolutions
HOW TO IMPLEMENT RESOLUTIONS
Delegates to convention perfect and approve resolutions submitted by units and councils. The approval of a resolution is only the first step in addressing areas of concern about the education and welfare of children and youth. The state PTA, councils, units, and individual members then develop a plan to implement the resolutions, turning them into ACTION on behalf of children and youth.
Resolutions may be directed to the state legislature or other governmental bodies, school authorities or the PTA organization. The action needed to implement the resolution will depend on the group it is directed to.
When the resolution is directed to the state legislature or other governmental bodies, the resolution may become a legislative priority for Missouri PTA. The state Legislative Chairman will include the area of concern in correspondence and discussion with legislators. However, the most effective method of relaying concerns to legislators is through PTA members in local communities. Every PTA member should assume the responsibility for sharing PTA concerns with their local legislators through correspondence, phone calls and direct contact. The Missouri PTA Legislative Handbook provides information on how to work effectively with legislators.
When a resolution is directed to school authorities, the state PTA may share state-wide concerns through the Liaison to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), or through committees on which Missouri PTA has representation. When the concerns involve local school authorities, the responsibility for sharing those concerns with local boards of education and district staff should be assumed by councils, units and individual members. The National PTA Partners in Education publications that provide information on working with school officials are: Teachers in the PTA; The Principal and PTA; The Superintendent and the PTA; The School Board and the PTA. Other resources may include local Board of Education policies or various administrative guidelines and procedure manuals from DESE.
When a resolution urges councils, units and members to initiate activities to educate the public, concerns can be incorporated into local programs and activities. If the area of concern is within the scope of a local chairmanship, that chairman should be included in the implementation plan. If the area of concern is not within the scope of a local chairmanship, a special committee may be appointed.
When councils, units and members have completed the work of implementing resolutions, they are asked to communicate the results of their actions with the state Resolutions Chairman. Through the work of PTA members, resolutions become actions on behalf of Missouri’s children and youth.