Greetings from the 12th District Bilingual Parent Resource Page!

Our communities are becoming more diverse with regard to language, ethnicity and race, socioeconomic status, education, access to resources, and time and availability.

How do PTA leaders understand and welcome new members of different backgrounds into the PTA family?

• Look at every person as an individual and not as a member of a group.
• Recognize and celebrate differences; they make us unique. 
• Discuss barriers that prohibit diversity and inclusion, and then remove the barriers. Don't just say you represent diverse populations; actually include them. For example, if language is keeping members from attending meetings or other functions, work with community leaders to provide translators.

Planning questions include the following:

• Are unit programs inclusive of and attractive to diverse membership? Do programs have elements that could appeal to existing members and those who have never attended a PTA meeting?
• Does the unit have a recruitment and membership plan? Does the plan incorporate ways to reach parents who may not speak English or who might not yet feel welcome in the school?
• Has the unit board been instructed on the membership plan? Each board member should fully buy into the plan's aims and expectations if it is to fulfill its purpose.
• Does the unit have an environment where every member is welcomed and valued for his or her unique abilities and contributions?

For more tips and resources on planning and membership recruitment, contact your 12th District Bilingual Resource Committee: Sylvia Cates at Ctsfam@aol.com Lilly Dollenmayer at lilly@dollenmayer.com  or click on the email thumbnail below.

WE SPEAK SPANISH!

NOTE: Look for the Bilingual Resources Manual! The intent of this manual is to help all of our PTA Units/Councils to serve our bilingual population better. It is important that ALL parents feel welcomed and appreciated by the PTA

Reprinted from PTA Local Leader News - October 31, 2006

Diversity and Inclusion

Consider the definition of diversity as "counting all" and the definition of inclusion as "making sure all are counted"

Principles of Diversity 

• Diversity doesn't only assume that everyone is different; it also recognizes that those differences add value. 
• Diversity is about learning to include different perspectives so the work of the organization can be effective for all.
• Leaders have to commit to supporting and encouraging diversity and inclusion.

Use these questions to address the principles above:                           

• Does the diversity of your PTA membership reflect the diversity in your school's population and community? If not why?
• Is that diversity reflected on the board and through committee membership?
• Are leaders aware of the diversity of talents on their board and within their community? Do they find ways to complement those talents in its work?
• Is there a method of selecting issues the unit will address that ensures fairness to all?

Adapted and reprinted from National PTA's Member Extension Chair Manual

Actions You Can Take

Conduct an audit of diversity within your PTA. You'll want to develop a plan to reach out to your community to ensure PTA is reflective of the community your school serves.

Ask underserved populations why they aren't involved in PTA, and then show them how PTA fits their needs. Don't make assumptions about them or their needs. Leaders can talk with community leaders can talk with community leaders of underserved populations to gain a clear understanding of needs and culture.

Look at every person as an individual and not as a member of a group.

Recognize and celebrate differences; they make us unique.

Intergrate diversity into all aspects of operational and organizational functions. For example: if the group you are trying to recruit is far away from the school, look into holding meetings in a variety of locations around the community.

Discuss barriers that prohibit diversity and inclusion, and then remove the barriers. Don't just say you representdiverse populations - actually include them. For example, if language differences are keeping members from attending meetings and other functions, work with the community leaders to provide translators.

Desired Outcomes

Make sure that every recruitment program or event is inclusive of, and attractive to, a diverse membership.

Develop a recruitment and membership plan that incorporates inclusion and diversity, realizing that in order for this plan to be successful, everyone must see himself or herself in it. Each person has to fully buy into plan's aims and expectations if it is to fulfill its purpose.

Create an environment where every member is welcomed and valued for his or her unique abilities and contributions.

California State PTA 2007 Summer Service Mailing

For more tips and resources on planning and membership recruitment, contact your 12th District Bylingual Resource Committee: Sylvia Cates at Ctsfam@aol.com, Lilly Dollenmayer at lilly@dollenneyer.com or click on the email thumbnail below.

WE SPEAK SPANISH

NOTE: Download the Bilingual Resources Manual! (Click Here) The intent of this manual is to help all our PTA Units/Councils to serve our bilingual population better. it is important that ALL parents feel welcomed and appreciated by the PTA