Written by Karen Ford Cull, Resolutions Committee Chair 2025–27
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish PTA would take a stand on this issue,” writing a resolution is how that happens. Resolutions allow members to elevate concerns, propose solutions, and guide PTA’s advocacy on behalf of all children and families.
Every resolution starts the same way – at a general meeting of your PTA association. Whether it’s your unit, council, or district, members must first vote to approve the idea. From that moment, your resolution can begin its journey to the California State PTA Annual Meeting also known as Convention, where adopted resolutions become official PTA authorities used to set positions and influence legislation.
The Timeline: Step by Step
- Fall: Bring your idea to your unit, council, or district general association meeting for a vote.
- By November 1: Submit the draft resolution to the California State PTA Resolutions Committee. You can submit the draft resolution earlier if it is ready.
- November–December: Work with an assigned California State PTA mentor to refine your resolution. Mentorship will be assigned to you as soon as you submit your draft.
- By January 5: Submit your final draft to the Resolutions Committee for review.
- Convention: Adopt resolutions, which will guide PTA action and can also be submitted to National PTA if they meet national criteria.
What Makes a Resolution Successful
Resolutions must:
- Align with PTA purposes and policies
- Follow the criteria in the California State PTA Resolutions Procedure Book,
- Meet National PTA standards if they include a request for national adoption.
Because resolutions must be supported by credible research, they provide PTA advocates with strong, reliable authority when speaking to legislators, community leaders, and schools.
How Resolutions Drive Action
Once adopted, resolutions don’t sit on a shelf – they guide California State PTA commissions and committees in developing resources, partnering with organizations, and recommending advocacy strategies. Resolutions also serve as the foundation for PTA’s legislative positions, empowering our collective voice at the state and national level.
Now is the time to take the first step. Bring your idea to your local PTA association meeting and begin the journey to submit your resolution by November 1. Visit capta.org/resolutions for resources and guidance on how to get started. Contact Resolutions@capta.org if you have any questions.