What is National PTA?
National PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. An organization of parents, teachers, students, and other citizen’s active in their schools and communities, National PTA, along with its state affiliates and charter units, is a leader in reminding our nation of its obligations to children. Nearly 6.5 million people belong to this nonprofit, noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan organization.

The National PTA advocates before decision makers for children's rights to better health, education, and well-being, working closely with other national education and health agencies and organizations. It provides current information and offers programs, guidance, publications, and training to state and local PTA groups in developing family-centered programs and encouraging parental involvement in all areas of a child's life.

For over 100 years, PTA has been leading the way in improving the lives of America's children and youths. Parent education is a primary part of PTA's philosophy and aids in the association's quest to protect and encourage all children. PTA draws on the experience and input of its membership and cooperating organizations and shares what it has learned through its programs, publications, and services.

What is Hawai’i State PTA?
Hawai’i State PTSA is the oldest and largest child advocacy organization in the State of Hawaii. We are the state affiliate to National PTA with approximately 20,000 members statewide. We are organized into 10 regions with a presence on the five major islands in the Hawaiian chain and serve as oversight agency to more than 150 grassroots, local PTA units in both public schools and private pre-schools across the state. Our state board and 10-region structure is designed to promote and strengthen the work of PTA at the local unit level. Presently, our organization is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors.

What role do local PTA units play?
Without a doubt, our local units and its members are critical to the success of and is what drives PTA in our state. All units are self-governing, separate legal entities that, most often, operate within their school communities. It is at this grassroots level that programs and activities, consistent with the overall goals and objectives of PTA, are planned and implemented to meet the needs of children and youth in the community.Our local units are the backbone of PTA and it is at this level that parents, teachers, students, and community leaders have the opportunity to voice their concerns and take necessary action to achieve a desired outcome.

I no longer have children in school.Can I still become a PTA member?
Absolutely! Anyone who supports the mission and purposes of PTA may apply for membership.
For more information on how you can become a member, click here.

What are the major differences between PTA and a non-PTA parent group?
PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a national organization dedicated to advocating for all children. Its 6.5 million members are child advocates of local PTA units and its state affiliates and are a voice in state and national legislation that affect all children and youth.PTA is based on the concept that several groups working together, all having a common purpose and similar goals and objectives, have substantially greater impact and are much more effective than their non-PTA parent group counterpart.

Individual PTA units establish their own dues schedule that is voted on by its general membership. Of the total dues collected, $7.50 is dedicated to Hawaii State PTSA and $1.75 to the National PTA.The remaining portion stays with the local unit for use as they deem appropriate.

A non-PTA parent group, on the other hand, is most often organized as a fundraising arm of the school and is concerned only with issues arising from that school. There is no affiliation with other non-PTA parent groups and state and national resources are limited or non-existent. Decisions made and actions taken by a non-PTA parent group generally impact only the children of that school.

Non-PTA parent group dues are also determined by the group. Since these groups are independent of any state or national organization, all monies are stay with that group.

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