1747 Orlando Central Parkway
Orlando , FL 32809
Phone:  800.373.5782
Fax:  407.240.9577
fptastateoffice@floridapta.org  

DATE:    April 1, 2008
TO:         PTA Advocate
FROM:   Kathy Rayson, Florida PTA Platform Committee Chair
RE:        An Invitation to Create a Platform Item

Legislative Session is in high gear and Florida PTA is there.  PTA is able to support or oppose legislation that affects children and schools because of our Position Statements.  Our ability to speak for everychild with onevoice begins when a PTA member, a local unit or county council brings an issue for consideration at Florida PTA Convention.  If you want Florida PTA to take a stand on an issue, please submit a resolution for consideration at our next convention.  With the passage of your resolution Florida PTA’s statewide membership will join your voice in advocacy.  This mailing includes the Call for Platform Items.  Deadline for this year’s submissions is June 2, 2008 .  Proposed resolutions should be sent to the Florida PTA office in Orlando . 

Now is the time to start working on a resolution in order to meet the deadline.  You may be aware of an issue because of something that has happened during legislative session or that has happened locally.  What would you like Florida PTA to do?  Support legislation?  Educate members about an important issue?  Work with school districts to institute a policy?  Talk with your members, other local units and your council to develop ideas and issues.

Your statement of the action you want Florida PTA to take will be your Resolve clause.  Your Whereas clauses will give the reasons to support your Resolve clause.     These Whereas clauses need to be documented.  The Call includes the requirements for proposed resolution and guidelines on documentation. For a sample resolution with complete documentation in the preferred format, visit the Florida PTA website at floridapta.org, click the legislation tab, click “sample resolution” and follow the format.  If you have questions, please contact me.  I can be reached at 954.943.0367 or by email at krayson103@aol.com.

The Platform Committee looks forward to hearing from you!

CALL FOR PLATFORM ITEMS

For the 2008 FLORIDA PTA Convention

Deadline for submission is June 2, 2008

Proposed platform items must:

1.                  Be of statewide concern.

2.                  Not duplicate existing positions or statutes. ( Check State and National websites).

3.                  Be in harmony with the Purposes of National and Florida PTA.

4.                  Be accompanied by documentation that establishes a need for action and justifies the proposal.  Documentation should be thorough, from reputable, reliable sources. 

5.                  Identify a contact person who will be available to provide additional information.

INFORMATION presented in the “Whereas” clauses must be documented.  Each Whereas clause must be followed by its supporting documentation. Three items of support per clause is recommended. Use brackets around the relevant portions of your supporting documentation.

DOCUMENTATION materials may not be more than 25 double-sided or 50 single-side pages of text.  Pages should be numbered consecutively.  Cover letters, tables of contents, bibliographies, index, etc., do not count towards the page limit.

Documentation consists of copies or relevant excerpts of materials and should:

·        Demonstrate that the issue is valid and appropriate for PTA action.

·        Answer concerns of convention delegates who will vote on the proposed item.

·        Provide a foundation for advocacy if delegates adopt the position.

·        Be sufficient to give a person with no previous knowledge of the subject

               enough information to make an intelligent decision.

·        Include a bibliography so sources may be checked.

Do not staple your submission, as this will interfere with copying.  Number your pages and submit your item in a three-ring notebook.

An electronic format copy of the Resolution and/or background materials may be submitted with your hard copy.  (Hard copy is required.)  Electronic copy will facilitate posting the proposed resolution on the FPTA website. 

USER FRIENDLY TIP!  To see an example of a proposed resolution, go to www.floridapta.org.  Click on “Legislation”.  Scroll down to “Sample Resolutions”.  Click on “Youth Gambling”.   This is the resolution as it was submitted to delegates at the 2005 convention.  The final adopted version, without documentation, is also on the website. 

Questions?  Contact Kathy Rayson, Platform Chair, 954.943.0367, krayson103@aol.com.