Berkeley PTA Council

Berkeley PTA Council is the umbrella organizastion for the PTAs active in the Berkeley Unified School District. Our activities are aimed providing support to our PTAs to promote the mission of the California State PTA:

"The mission of the California State PTA is to positively impact the lives of all children and families by representing our members, and empowering and supporting them with skills in advocacy, leadership and communications."

To accomplish this, the Berkeley PTA Council:

  • Fosters communication between and among units to share best practices and common concerns.
  • Provides a unified, effective voice in relationships with the School District and other community partners.
  • Links the Berkeley PTAs with the resources, support and advocacy of the Peralta District and California State PTA organizations.

Our goal is to make Berkeley PTAs leading voices advocating quality education and a nurturing environment for all our children.

The Berkeley PTA Council Officers for 2020-2021 are:

President Rob Collier president@berkeleypta.org
Secretary Sarah Burt secretary@berkeleypta.org
Treasurer Jane Logan treasurer@berkeleypta.org
Financial Secretary Tom Killilea webmaster@berkeleypta.org
Equity and Inclusion Ana Vasudeo apvasudeo@gmail.com

The PTA works best when there are lots of people involved in the leadership. There are many opportunities for you to contribute to the betterment of our community for our schools, families, and children. If you are interested in taking up the challenge and participate at any level, let us know. There are always things that need doing at the PTA for which you are perfect.

PTA Officer Position

There are many opportunities for PTA service on the Berkeley PTA Council. The table below summarizes some of those most relevant at the Council level with a brief summary from the California PTA Handbook ( full list and descriptions for PTA positions are available are linked here). Feel free to contact current members of the Berkeley PTA Council if you have any questions or have an interest to serve.

President
Serving as president of a PTA includes the responsibility to lead that PTA toward specific goals chosen by its members. The goals must be consistent with the policies and Purposes of the PTA. The president is the presiding officer and the official representative of the association. 
 
Executive VP
The executive vice president is an elected officer and member of the executive board. The primary responsibility of the executive vice president is to assist the president and help lead the PTA toward specific goals chosen by its members. The goals must be consistent with the policies and purposes of the PTA. California State PTA does not recognize co-presidents. This position can be used to gain understanding of the requirements and duties of the president position, but it is not a president-elect position.
 
Secretary
The recording secretary is elected by the association and is one of the three required officers for a PTA. The secretarial responsibilities may be assigned to one person or divided between a recording secretary and a corresponding secretary, as specified in the bylaws. If there is no corresponding secretary, the duties of the corresponding secretary may be combined with the duties of the recording secretary, in accordance with the bylaws. In addition to the bylaws, the duties of a secretary are discussed in the California State
 
Treasurer
The treasurer is an elected officer and the authorized custodian of all funds of the local PTA. Some responsibilities of the office are specified in the unit bylaws and others are established by district PTA and California State PTA procedures. The treasurer’s duties also include keeping records and prepar
 
Financial Secretary
The financial secretary is an elected officer authorized to receive all monies collected by the PTA. Some responsibilities of the office are specified in the unit bylaws; others are established by council, district PTA and California State PTA procedures. The financial secretary may be a member of the budget committee.
 
Auditor
The PTA auditor is an elected officer and member of the executive board. However, an individual or a committee may be appointed by the president to carry out this responsibility in the absence of an auditor. The books may also be audited, in accordance with PTA guidelines by a paid auditor.
 
Historian
The historian assembles and preserves the record of activities and achievements of the PTA and assists the president in preparing the Annual Unit Historian Report (Annual Unit Historian Report 2.3.13a; Forms, Chapter 9). Historian records, like minutes, should be kept forever.
 
Parliamentarian
Principles of parliamentary law are
  • ...justice and courtesy to all;
  • ...rights of the minority protected;
  • ...rule of the majority reflected;
  • ...partiality to none;
  • ...consideration of one subject at a time.
The bylaws are specific rules by which the unit is governed, and they supersede any general rule of parliamentary law with which they may be in conflict. They are the “Articles of Organization.” They may not be suspended, even by a unanimous vote. Any action contrary to the unit’s bylaws is null and void and should be so stated when discovered.
 
Reflections Chair
The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme while increasing community awareness of the importance of the arts in education.
 
Membership Chair
The PTA membership chairman/vice president works with the membership committee to plan the annual membership campaign. The membership chairman/vice president is responsible for creating and implementing a membership plan, promoting membership throughout the year, collecting dues, and distributing membership cards.
 
Advocacy and Outreach
The California State PTA recognizes that representative involvement of a diversity of stakeholder groups of all backgrounds enriches PTA leadership activities in ways that more soundly promote the well-being of all children, youth, and their families.
 
Legislative Advocacy
PTA is a child advocacy association. Its legislative mission is to speak on behalf of all children and youth at the local, state and federal levels. One of the Purposes of PTA is “to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.” PTA promotes and encourages legislative advocacy for the education and welfare of all children and youth.
 
Education Chair
The California State PTA believes it is important for parents and community members to be knowledgeable about eduation issues affecting student learning/achievement. The PTA education chairman promotes understanding of the purposes and needs of public schools and encourages participation by parents and community members in working towards, improvements in public education.
 
Volunteer VP
School volunteers may be parents, community members, senior citizens or upper grade students who augment and complement the educational program. Volunteers can be utilized in a variety of situations in schools, ranging from one time only to monthly, weekly or daily commitments. The PTA Volunteer VP oversees the activities of the school volunteers and represents them on the PTA executive board.