A new year brings new beginnings, new hopes, new plans, and new resolutions. Most – if not all of us – have hopes that 2021 will be better than 2020 and that we will see a return to safe social gatherings with friends and families, students back in classrooms learning and a sense of normalcy. Until then, we hope each of you along with your families and friends, stay safe and healthy.

With the new year upon us and newly elected government leaders assuming their positions at the local, state, and national levels, we turn our attention to one of PTA’s primary principles: advocacy. PTA’s foundation is as an advocacy association. Advocacy is defined as any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends on behalf of others. If you have ever spoken up on behalf of your child, you are an advocate! PTA speaks up for all the children and youth of Georgia.

The Georgia General Assembly will convene on Monday, January 11. Many school boards, city councils, and county commissions have newly elected members. Now is the time to get to know your elected officials, develop relationships, and become aware of the issues before them. Providing your perspective as a parent and a community member can help inform their decisions. Georgia PTA will be conducting an Advocacy Workshop (via Zoom) on Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 PM, to introduce you to the basics of how to advocate for yourself, your child, your school, your community. To participate in the workshop, register here.

In addition to advocacy, we want your input on issues Georgia PTA is focused on at the state level. Membership numbers are down significantly, and we need your help, ideas, and renewed resolution to recruit new members. With more members we have a bigger voice to affect change and the funds to provide programs to help you succeed. Georgia PTA will be conducting a Town Hall (via Zoom) on Wednesday, January 13 at 7:00 PM. During the Town Hall we will discuss membership and its impact at all levels and about the Georgia PTA state office and the challenges we are facing there. We also will listen to you; we want to know what you need from us. We hope to see you on Wednesday! Register here.

As always, we cannot communicate with you without thanking you for all you do to help the children of Georgia succeed. At our convention in November, we heard from local units, councils, and districts about how they are connecting with their communities to help meet their needs. PTAs can be game changers in schools and communities as we provide programs to support parents and children. We hope you will continue to share your success stories so we can share them with others throughout the state.

Wishing you a successful start to 2021! Thank you, again, for all you do.

Regards,
Karen Hallacy
President, Georgia PTA
everyChild. oneVoice.