Inclusion is a commitment to involve the entire school community in planning, as well as enjoying, PTA programs and activities. Bringing in many different views is the key to building a robust and meaningful PTA presence in your community.

Members come with their own views, experiences, cultural heritage and traditions, skills and abilities, values and preferences. California’s public schools are a rich weave of these diverse threads, and their PTAs must be as well. Discrimination or prejudice, even behind closed doors, cannot be tolerated.

Some communities your PTA can reach out to include cultural and ethnic groups, non-English speakers, single parents, working parents, stepparents, foster parents, grandparents, students, teachers, school staff, school administrators, peace officers, government agencies, and businesses. Include everyone and invite them to join PTA!

When all aspects of the community are represented, all voices will be heard, and PTA will be an effective voice for ALL children.

• Building an Inclusive PTA – Questions to Consider [pdf] - March 2008 Communicator
• Steps to Building a Diverse & Inclusive PTA [pdf] - March 2008 Communicator
• Getting to Know Your Multicultural Community [pdf]
• California State PTA's Position Statement 4.5.38 - Inclusiveness and Diversity. California State PTA's Inclusiveness and Diversity Position Statement (4.5.38) (updated/revised April 2008) guides associations in how to form representative organizations.
• Cultural Competency - Learn cultural awareness and how to build relationships across cultural groups in a National PTA e-learning module. You will need the user and password from your PTA membership card to access the program
• National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships - Assure your PTA follows high quality operational standards. Review these standards to see how your association scores.

New California State PTA Diversity and Inclusion Committee formed in spring 2009

As the result of action on a motion recommended by the 2008 Emerging Minority Leaders Conference Planning Committee, the California State PTA Board of Managers established the Diversity and Inclusion Committee in March 2009. The first Diversity and Inclusion Committee convened in the fall of 2009.

The establishment of a diversity and inclusion committee acknowledges California State PTA’s commitment to support our mission and our members by examining our practices around diversity and inclusiveness, applying and modeling best practices for family-school partnerships, and increasing family involvement, membership, and leadership from all facets of our communities.

The committee shall:

1. Provide representation for emerging leaders.
2. Annually assess the status of the organization with regard to diversity and inclusion.
3. Make recommendations to the Board of Directors which promote and sustain diversity and inclusion at all levels of the California State PTA.
4. Collaborate with other commissions and committees to promote cultural competency within the entire organization.
5. Plan convention workshops that focus on diversity and inclusion.
6. Plan conferences as needed and approved by the Board of Directors

Emerging Minority Leadership Conference (EMLC)

California State PTA’s first EMLC was held in Oakland on September 2008. Over one-hundred participants gathered to build skills and knowledge, discuss issues, and network.

Read more about the event.

http://www.capta.org/sections/tools/whatsnew.cfm?WhatsNewID=484
http://www.capta.org/sections/tools/whatsnew.cfm?WhatsNewID=506

Save the date! The next conference will be held at the Hilton Ontario Airport in Ontario on October 16, 2010.

Registration information to be posted soon!

Here are more helpful documents on outreach, diversity and inclusion to build your membership:

• Bridges/Barriers For School, Family and Community Partnership
• Inclusiveness and Diversity, PTA Leadership Practices
• Inclusion y diversidad, practicas de liderazgo de la PTA
• Diversity and Inclusion: What’s the Difference?
• Can Your PTA Spell D-I-V-E-R-S-I-T-Y?
• PTA Diversity Self-Assessment
• PTA Diversity Self-Assessment Key
• Building an Inclusive PTA – Questions to Consider
• Steps to Building a Diverse & Inclusive PTA
• Ways to Make People Feel Accepted
• Barriers or Roadblocks to Involvement

The following publications may be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

Involvement Makes A Difference (Black & White) (in English) [pdf]

Involvement Makes A Difference (Color) (in English) [pdf]

Involvement Makes A Difference (Black & White) (in Spanish) [pdf]

Involvement Makes A Difference (Color) (in Spanish) [pdf]

Put Yourself In The PTA Picture
(in English) [pdf]

Put Yourself In The PTA Picture
(in Spanish) [pdf]