Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers

The Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers, commonly known as the Virginia PTA, is a non-partisan volunteer child advocacy association in Virginia. It is chartered by the National PTA and plays a crucial role in promoting family involvement in schools and advocating for resources to enhance the well-being and academic success of children.

History and Objectives

Chartered in 1921, the Virginia PTA focuses on strengthening family units, schools, and communities through parent and family involvement. It views parents as the first educators in the home and works to bridge the gap between home and school by fostering partnerships between parents and schools. Its primary goal is to advocate for resources and funding that support the academic success, health, and well-being of all children in Virginia.

Structure and Governance

The Virginia PTA is managed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors composed of parents, grandparents, and caregivers elected from its membership. These volunteers come from communities across Virginia, ensuring a diverse and inclusive leadership. The organization supports more than 6,000 volunteer PTA officers through leadership training, family engagement toolkits, and advocacy resources. It also oversees non-profit governance and provides educational resources for parents.

Activities and Programs

The Virginia PTA promotes family engagement in schools by participating in coalitions and workgroups that bring parent perspectives to policy discussions. Council PTAs within school divisions facilitate communication among PTAs, share best practices, address common concerns, and advocate for policies benefiting children and youth. Additionally, the Virginia PTA supports local school parent groups, providing access to programs and resources that help build school spirit and celebrate student achievements.

Membership and Joining

Membership is open to anyone supporting the mission and purposes of the National PTA. Individuals can join through their local school or as Honorary Commonwealth Members at the state level. Membership in a local PTA automatically includes membership in the Virginia PTA and National PTA. Annual dues are determined by each local school PTA and include Virginia PTA dues and National PTA dues.

Legal Status

The Virginia PTA operates as a non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code, focusing exclusively on charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes. However, the provided EIN (541998702) does not match any information found for the Virginia PTA. The typical EIN for such organizations might be different, and specific details about this EIN were not available.

Notes

The information for the Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers provided here is largely based on the general activities and characteristics of the Virginia PTA, as specific details about the organization with the given EIN were not available. The Virginia PTA is a leading advocate for children's education and well-being across Virginia, with its activities aligned closely with those of similar state-level PTA organizations.