During the CT PTA annual convention on May 6, 2000, the membership voted to approve an increase in the annual membership fee from $2.00 to $3.00. In addition, members at the 2000 and 2001 National PTA Conventions also voted for dues increases. 

The table below describes these increases, and when they become effective...

WHY DID CONNECTICUT PTA FEEL THE NEED TO RAISE THE FEE FOR MEMBERSHIP?

The Board of Directors takes very seriously its responsibilities of managing our members’ money and using dollars effectively. After careful review of last year’s audit, this year’s financial trends, and future plans, the Board proposed, and the membership voted to accept, a bylaw change to increase dues effective July 1, 2000.

STAFF: In an effort to keep costs down while we reassess office procedure, no replacements have been hired to fill two vacant CT PTA staff positions. Unfortunately, this decision has led to an increased work-load for remaining staff and, at times, the need to re-invent the wheel. The dues increase will allow CT PTA to hire a staff member to take a proactive role in the servicing of local units. A dues increase could also possibly allow us to bring on staff an experienced fund raiser familiar with the world of corporate dollars and grants to help us become less reliant on member dollars. CT PTA will be competing in a tight job market for skilled personnel. There are times when the office is closed and member’s phone calls cannot be answered in a timely fashion. Current staffing does not meet the needs of our units, members or board members.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: While trying to hold down spending, Connecticut PTA has cut back the training of officers and board members. Less state level people are attending National PTA training and functions, and less development is going on in-house at the state level. This impairs our ability to develop new officers and improve our skills. Current cost-cutting will impact training and programs offered to local units and members.

SERVICE TO UNITS AND MEMBERS: While trying to hold down postage costs, Connecticut PTA has limited the number of times we mail information to local units. We currently rely on the Bulletin as our primary source of information. Current cost concerns have impacted our ability to communicate with local units and officers. While we can continue to decrease services to units and members as we attempt to find corporate money, no one at the state level feels this is a viable option. CT PTA is a service-based organization—we are here to provide service to members. Current income prevents us from providing the type of service our members deserve and expect.

REVENUE: For all intents and purposes, Connecticut PTA has had a flat budget for the last five years, while office expenses, salaries, and cost of doing business has risen.

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Connecticut PTA’s budget is totally dues-dependent with the exception of a few small grants from National PTA. Because of budget constraints, National PTA began reducing available grant money available to states this year.

The last increase in dues was from $1.50 to $2.00 per member at in the spring of 1995. Membership numbers have moved up and down during the last five years—with the highest and lowest membership levels (and concurrent dollars) no more than 2,306 in variance.

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STAFF: Our office is currently staffed by one full-time  person. Connecticut PTA also employs a Convention Manager. Among their many duties, employees respond to all inquiries from local units, members, National PTA, other non-profits, and partner organizations. They also maintain various databases; support and coordinate the work of all officers and board members; prepare bulk mailings; do bookkeeping; attend Executive committee and Board of Directors meetings; schedule board travel and accommodations; maintain IRS records; negotiate with convention hotels, caterers, exhibitors, etc.; assemble all event registration materials; etc. Much of what our employees do supports local units and members by providing service, directly and indirectly.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: All Connecticut PTA officers and board members are non-paid volunteers. Board expenses (mileage, copying fees, phone calls) are paid through the CT PTA budget. However, many board members donate these expenses to CT PTA or do not submit for expenses at all. Board members are provided training opportunities.

OFFICE: Connecticut PTA maintains an office in Hamden which is available for all CT PTA committee and subcommittee meetings and provides clerical services to board members and officers. The office is equipped with fax, phones, computers, copier, postage meter, conference room, storage facilities, etc.

SERVICE TO UNITS AND MEMBERS: Convention and annual meeting, summer leadership conferences, individualized unit service, PTA Day at the Legislature, legislative representation, coalition building, region directors, and many other services provided to units comprise the remainder of CT PTA’s budget.

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STAFF: Two vacant part-time positions are frozen. Current staff has tried to absorb the additional responsibilities.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Connecticut PTA has cut back training of its board members, sending fewer people to regional conference, National PTA convention, and National PTA office training and limiting the amount of in-house training opportunities.

Office: All equipment leases are being evaluated in the hopes of finding less expensive alternatives. An Office Space Committee has been formed to research the cost-effectiveness of our current site and make recommendations for a possible move.

SERVICE TO UNITS AND MEMBERS: Connecticut PTA Day at the Legislature and CT PTA convention registration costs to members were increased, and convention fees charged to exhibitors also rose. Monthly office mailings to local unit presidents and councils have been cut back to an as-needed basis to keep postage costs down.

REVENUE: CT PTA is exploring corporate sponsorships and partnerships, as well as grant opportunities.

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While it is the responsibility of the Connecticut PTA Board of Directors to oversee the budget and ensure the association is fiscally sound, it is the general membership who decides the dues structure. Bylaws dictate dues and the general membership controls the bylaws. The Board of Directors makes recommendations to the membership, and the membership makes the final decision on dues.

Dues increases require a bylaw change. Since this amendment is preceded by a pound sign (#), it automatically becomes part of your bylaws. The change is to Article VII, Section 6 - Membership and Dues. During the May 6, 2000 CT PTA Convention, the membership voted to strike $2.00 (two) and insert $3.00 (three). This bylaw now reads: 

Please be sure to read your bylaws and see how this CT PTA bylaw change impacts your bylaws. If you collect dues in addition to the State and National portion, examine the wording of your bylaws and decide if your unit needs to consider a bylaw change in order to continue to collect the same amount of local dues you have been collecting. For example, if your bylaws read that you collect $5 (or any other specific amount), the Connecticut PTA bylaw change will affect the amount of dues dollars your unit keeps. However, if your bylaws read that you collect $3 per member in addition to the CT PTA and National dues, then you do not need to amend bylaws to maintain the same level of income as in the past.

If you have any questions concerning how to amend bylaws, please contact your region director or the CT PTA office and we will gladly help you through the process.

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Connecticut PTA board members and officers are available to answer questions concerning our budget and the dues increase. For more information, please contact the state office by phone, fax, e-mail, or regular mail.

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