PTA Lobby Day / Virtual Lobby Day

Advocacy

New York State PTA

One Wembley Court

Albany, NY 12205

Phone: 1-518-452-8808

Toll Free: 1-877-5NYSPTA

or 1-877-569-7782

Fax: 1-518-452-8105

Email: pta.office@nyspta.org

PTA Lobby Day/Virtual Lobby Day

Engaging grassroots members in PTA advocacy campaigns strengthens our chorus!

Although PTA advocacy is a year-round effort, March has been traditionally designated PTA Advocacy Month. In the preceding January, the Executive Office, i.e. the governor, presents the State-of-the-State address and releases the Proposed Executive Budget for the upcoming year. Both houses of the NYS legislature have 8-10 weeks to react to the governor’s proposals. Senate and Assembly members either agree or propose adjusted funding allocations but are not permitted to change language within the budget. The approved Executive Budget is due to the public on April 1.

During the negotiation period, members of the State Board of Directors analyze the governor’s proposals and write a PTA response paper. This is sent to PTA presidents, statewide, as the February issue of the legislative publication, Legislative Briefs...

From this response, two issues of concern or interest are selected upon which to focus member advocacy efforts. In addition to the “Issues Briefs” and “Talking Points” mentioned above, sample letters and postcard messages with a template are sent to region boards and unit/council presidents and posted on our website. These are designed to both provide our members with a clear understanding of the issues, the NYS PTA position on each, and tools to assist with letter writing campaigns, emails, phone calls or visits with decision makers.

Our March Advocacy campaign kicks off with the reaction paper, followed by visits from representatives of NYS PTA and region and local advocacy partners to key Albany legislators on Lobby Day, Monday, March 19, 2012. Via a statewide electronic advocacy campaign, Virtual Lobby Day (VLD), grassroots PTA members will take our message to the goal line by sending emails to the Legislature on the following day, March 20, 2012. Add your voice to the chorus -- be sure to subscribe to our Capwiz electronic advocacy tool and watch for NYS PTA's response to the proposed Executive Budget and VLD prepared messages/talking points in February, 2012!

Link to Capwiz

Virtual Lobby Day Cover (Will be posted when available.)

Advocacy Alert Instruction Sheet (Will be posted when available.)

Virtual Lobby Day Contact List

Virtual Lobby Day Unit/Council Mailing (Will be posted when available.)

For more information please select a link below:

Advocacy Alerts

How to Write and Submit a PTA Resolution

Issues Briefs and Talking Points

Legislative Directory

Legislative Program

        Basic Policy
        Where We Stand - includes current Resolutions and Position Papers
        Legislative Directives