CT PTA President's Letter
Dec, 2003

Hello everyone!

This is a promising time for Connecticut PTA. We are now in our 104th year of serving the children and families of Connecticut. PTA is needed more than ever before and we are doing more than ever before. There has never been a better time to be a PTA member.

I encourage all of you to attend the 104th Annual Connecticut PTA Convention on May 7 and 8 in Southbury. The convention committee is hard at work planning workshops on hot topics, arranging a youth forum, seeking corporate sponsors, securing keynote speakers, and designing activities to promote PTA fellowship. Come to network and come to learn. The theme of our convention is The Power of Association, Making Great Things Happen Together! I hope to see you there.

I want you to know that I feel it is a great privilege to act as your President. We Presidents ought to have a vision of the organization we lead. And I have a vision of Connecticut PTA. I would like to share my vision with you. I see Connecticut PTA as a customer service organization. A customer service organization that exists to serve you, the members of Connecticut PTA. You are our customers. Our role is to supply you with the knowledge and support that enables you to do all those wonderful things you are doing for the children and families in your community. We are a customer service organization that trains your leaders, provides you with useful resources and offers you guidance when you need assistance. All you have to do is ask.

There is another side to my vision of Connecticut PTA. I also see Connecticut PTA as an advocacy organization. An organization that advocates for children everywhere on behalf of our members. An advocacy organization that is a presence whenever public policy that affects our children is discussed. An advocacy organization that is an influence on legislation, both in Hartford and Washington DC. An advocacy organization that speaks out for every child in one voice, as we have for over a century.

I am asking you to help us achieve this vision of Connecticut PTA. There are two ways you can help us. The first way is - use us. We cannot become an effective customer service organization if our customers do not use us. Participate in our leadership training sessions. Get your hands on our resource guides and information booklets. Visit our web site. Come to our annual convention. Call our office when you need a speaker for your next meeting. Look to us when you need help. There are many, many ways to use us. That is what we are here for.

The second way you can help us achieve this vision is - join us. We cannot become an effective advocacy organization if our members are not behind us. Use the resources we provide to educate yourself about the issues. Join us in Hartford in February when we march on the State Capitol to voice our views on legislation. Help us write letters to our legislators stressing the importance of proper funding for public education. Let us show you how to make a difference by speaking out on local issues in your community. That is what we are here for too.

This is my vision of Connecticut PTA. A customer service organization. An advocacy organization. An organization that wants you to use us. An organization that wants you to join us. Please help us fulfill that vision.

Yours in PTA,
Kevin Daly
President,
Connecticut PTA