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Most PTA units, councils and districts in California present Honorary Service Awards (HSA) to worthy individuals and organizations that provide outstanding service to children and youth. Yet sometimes this custom might appear to an outsider like a "pat ourselves on the back club" award since it seems the awards are only presented to PTA presidents, officers, teachers and principals.
In order for the nomination process to embrace the spirit of volunteerism that is was created to honor, Honorary Service Award selections are always made by committee.
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HSA Committee should: Once a committee is in place, it is important to publicize the process to the association and
solicit nominations.
To ensure that all possible candidates are considered, the commitee should:
Send out a nomination form be every communications means available. Units should distribute to parents and teachers, councils to all Executive Board members. You can use your own form. A link the Thirty-Third District PTA nomination form is on this page and can be used as an example. Ask for nominations from staff members, principal(s) and/or superintendent(s). They often see those "behind the scenes" volunteers who quietly make things happen - that grandmother who reads to classes or the community member who volunteers in the library. Remember, while teachers and staff members can certainly be honored, it should be for their efforts above and beyond, that is, outside the classroom or their paid routine assignments. Do they serve on the PTA Board? Do they host after school activities/clubs on their own time? Do they volunteer and participate in PTA and/or other helpful community activities that involve children and youth? Think about honoring an outstanding student, either past or present. Is there a student or an alumnus who is involved in the service of his or her peers in school, PTA and/or the community? Does his or her example shine above all the rest? Consider community partners and businesses that support the activities of your school, PTA or council. Contemplate giving awards to individuals or organizations outside the PTA community that also work to improve the lives of children; recognize that "it takes a village" to raise a child. During the meeting the Chairman should:
Remind members to keep meeting proceedings confidential to avoid inadvertently hurting anyone's feelings (nominees or those nominating). Remind members to review all nominations and be open to nominations that develop at the meeting. Determine selections by written vote as to allow everyone the freedom to express their preferences. The Honorary Service Award is an appropriate demonstration of gratitude for service to children and youth.
To select a few among the many who contribute is a difficult task. Hopefully, with advance planning and careful deliberation,
you will honor the truly deserving.
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Founder's Day - Discovering the History of PTA
Many people today are interested in tracing their family’s
genealogical history. PTA is 115 years old and its history is as colorful as it is varied! So if you are thinking about what
you can present for Founders Day – there is lots of material to discover! Most of us have heard about Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney,
as well as Selena Sloan Butler, the founder of Georgia's Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers,.
However, it is hard to imagine that when PTA was born in 1897,women did not even have the right to vote, much less act as
advocates! While the contributions of PTA’s founders are extraordinary, their greatest legacy is the countless people
their mission inspired. So as the 20th century dawned, hundreds more took up the arduous task of lobbying the government
for the welfare and education of all children. As the 20’s roared in, PTA boldly set forth convention resolutions recommending universal physical education
and state establishment of schools for deaf and juvenile justice. In the depression era 30’s, although schools were
closing and dollars tight, PTA forged ahead, providing cutting edge education with a radio forum of 35 talks discussing topics
such as "Heredity or Environment" and "Important Variations in Infants and Children” as well as a magazine
article that warned students against the dangers of using "pep pills." With the onset of WWII, the PTA attacked shortages with education about salvage/recycle
programs and even had its own a radio program called “The Family in War.” Did you know that when the war ended,
PTA was one of the first groups to support the development of an organization committed to ensuring international peace? In
fact, in 1955 PTA received a citation from U.S. Secretary of State for working to make the principles of the UN Charter a
reality! As the 40’s closed,
the national PTA president participated in the Citizens Committee Conference which created the first Hoover Report on reorganizing
the U.S. government. It was this report that led to the formation of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
During the 50’s, polio was a major childhood health concern and of course PTA was right there with the Red Cross planning
an educational prevention campaign and later taking a vital role in promoting the acceptance of the Salk vaccine. The list of PTA’s accomplishments goes
on as the decades unfold. Visit the National PTA website www.pta.org under the header “About PTA” where you will find the listing “History”
and then click on “PTA National Timeline.” You will be AMAZED at all the remarkable contributions PTA has made
to the children of our nation. So this Founders Day, delve a little deeper into your “PTA ancestry.” Share with your membership just one decade of PTA accomplishments; maybe add some music or costumes indicative of the era and its highlights. Other helpful ideas about how to celebrate PTA history are also available on www.ca.pta.org under Founders Day, which is located under the drop-down menu, “Programs.” By providing information about PTA’s “roots,” everyone can better understand the importance of membership in an organization that today still continues its mission for “Every Child/One Voice.” |
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