PTAHC Delegates
PTACHC Delegate: The Voice of PTA in Howard County
Congratulations on being chosen to serve your local PTA as a PTA Council of Howard County (PTACHC) delegate. Participating in both PTACHC meetings and your local PTA’s meetings allows you to serve as a link between PTACHC and your local PTA. You will have access to information about what is happening across the school system to share with the members of your local PTA, and you will also bring the perspective of your local PTA to the discussions at the county level.
PTACHC serves 74 local PTAs that cover over 25,000 members. The growth of PTACHC reflects the vital role of PTA – individually and as a council – in meeting the needs of our children and families.
PTACHC General Meetings are normally held on the first Monday of the month during the school year at 7:30 pm at the Howard County Pubic School System (HCPSS) Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike (Route 108), Ellicott City and are open to all PTA members. Training and workshop programs usually are held from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm with the General Meeting immediately afterward.
The privileges of introducing motions, debating and voting are limited to the voting body, which consists of the president of each local PTA or their alternate, two delegates or their alternates from each local PTA, and the members of the PTACHC Board of Directors (the officers and standing committee chairs) . The local PTA’s bylaws determine how their delegates are selected. The monthly General Meetings provide an opportunity for delegates to present ideas, debate issues, become better informed, make personal contacts with other PTA leaders, and vote on PTACHC business. General Meeting dates are listed on the PTACHC website: www.ptachc.org.
What Does a PTACHC Delegate Do?
Delegates are the most important communication link between your local PTA and PTACHC. As a delegate you are expected to vote as directed by your local PTA unless authorized by the local PTA to use your own judgment. It is preferable for delegates to ascertain local opinion prior to voting. However, when time does not permit for consultation, a delegate must vote their conscience utilizing their own experience and good judgment. Each delegate is entitled to one vote, even though they may be serving in more than one position.
Responsibilities of a PTACHC Delegate
1. Attend every meeting of your local PTA and PTACHC General Meeting (or send an alternate if you are unable to attend).
2. Give a summary report of PTACHC General Meetings at local PTA board of directors’ meetings and to general membership meetings, in newsletter articles and on school list serves – particularly any item that requires a position or a vote by the local PTA. (Delegate Reporting Forms are available at each PTACHC General Meeting.)
3. Bring any concerns or action items from your local PTA to PTACHC.
4. Initiate discussion, gather information, and encourage local PTA action regarding PTACHC agenda items when necessary.
5. Bring to the attention of PTACHC any projects and programs your local PTA is involved in and wishes to share with other PTAs.
6. Use PTACHC meetings to become acquainted with delegates of other PTAs.
7. Affiliate with a PTACHC Committee, represent PTACHC on an HCPSS Policy/Advisory Committee, and/or act as a liaison to a community group that has requested PTACHC representation.
8. Help to find qualified and willing PTA members for PTACHC officer and chair positions.
9. Join the PTACHC Delegates Google Group to stay on top of current information, network with other delegates and discuss issues.
10. Keep a binder, procedure book, or electronic files containing:
• Your local PTA bylaws
• List of PTACHC officers and committee chairs
• Calendar of PTACHC and local PTA events/meetings
• Agenda and information distributed at General Meetings
• Minutes of PTACHC General Meetings
Congratulations on being chosen to serve your local PTA as a PTA Council of Howard County (PTACHC) delegate. Participating in both PTACHC meetings and your local PTA’s meetings allows you to serve as a link between PTACHC and your local PTA. You will have access to information about what is happening across the school system to share with the members of your local PTA, and you will also bring the perspective of your local PTA to the discussions at the county level.
PTACHC serves 74 local PTAs that cover over 25,000 members. The growth of PTACHC reflects the vital role of PTA – individually and as a council – in meeting the needs of our children and families.
PTACHC General Meetings are normally held on the first Monday of the month during the school year at 7:30 pm at the Howard County Pubic School System (HCPSS) Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike (Route 108), Ellicott City and are open to all PTA members. Training and workshop programs usually are held from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm with the General Meeting immediately afterward.
The privileges of introducing motions, debating and voting are limited to the voting body, which consists of the president of each local PTA or their alternate, two delegates or their alternates from each local PTA, and the members of the PTACHC Board of Directors (the officers and standing committee chairs) . The local PTA’s bylaws determine how their delegates are selected. The monthly General Meetings provide an opportunity for delegates to present ideas, debate issues, become better informed, make personal contacts with other PTA leaders, and vote on PTACHC business. General Meeting dates are listed on the PTACHC website: www.ptachc.org.
What Does a PTACHC Delegate Do?
Delegates are the most important communication link between your local PTA and PTACHC. As a delegate you are expected to vote as directed by your local PTA unless authorized by the local PTA to use your own judgment. It is preferable for delegates to ascertain local opinion prior to voting. However, when time does not permit for consultation, a delegate must vote their conscience utilizing their own experience and good judgment. Each delegate is entitled to one vote, even though they may be serving in more than one position.
Responsibilities of a PTACHC Delegate
1. Attend every meeting of your local PTA and PTACHC General Meeting (or send an alternate if you are unable to attend).
2. Give a summary report of PTACHC General Meetings at local PTA board of directors’ meetings and to general membership meetings, in newsletter articles and on school list serves – particularly any item that requires a position or a vote by the local PTA. (Delegate Reporting Forms are available at each PTACHC General Meeting.)
3. Bring any concerns or action items from your local PTA to PTACHC.
4. Initiate discussion, gather information, and encourage local PTA action regarding PTACHC agenda items when necessary.
5. Bring to the attention of PTACHC any projects and programs your local PTA is involved in and wishes to share with other PTAs.
6. Use PTACHC meetings to become acquainted with delegates of other PTAs.
7. Affiliate with a PTACHC Committee, represent PTACHC on an HCPSS Policy/Advisory Committee, and/or act as a liaison to a community group that has requested PTACHC representation.
8. Help to find qualified and willing PTA members for PTACHC officer and chair positions.
9. Join the PTACHC Delegates Google Group to stay on top of current information, network with other delegates and discuss issues.
10. Keep a binder, procedure book, or electronic files containing:
• Your local PTA bylaws
• List of PTACHC officers and committee chairs
• Calendar of PTACHC and local PTA events/meetings
• Agenda and information distributed at General Meetings
• Minutes of PTACHC General Meetings
