As each new PTA year begins it is important that PTAs present the Preliminary Legislation Program (PLP) to the members and encourage each member to vote. An annual legislation program is developed by the state Legislation Committee and adopted by the membership to represent the 'official' position of the Virginia PTA on a wide variety of issues affecting children and youth. Your local unit votes are important because each and every vote counts.
EVERY UNIT CAN GET VOTES!

1. Your executive board members should be the first to vote, then the school staff members. These people are immediately available. You may present the PLP as many times and in as many ways as necessary to get the votes!
2. Distribute the PLP at new Student’s Orientation, School Open House, Back-to-School events, and at your first PTA meeting:
   • Post or place the PLP on an overhead projector while parents are gathering for the meeting.
   • Place copies of the ballots in/on seats for parents before the meeting begins.
   • Put copies of the ballots in the first period classrooms and have parents vote at that time (it takes only 30 seconds).
   • Have designated students pass out ballots in the hallways (mostly PTSAs).
   • Present the PLP at school's faculty/staff meeting, and have members vote.
3. Remember to contact your members who are not in your school about the program and let them know when and where they may vote.

As your unit is financially able, you can:

4. Place the PLP on your school/PTA website.
5. Publish the PLP in your school/PTA newsletter.
6. Send a copy of the PLP home with students.
7. Mail a copy of the PLP to parents and other PTA members. This may be especially important for the members who are not in your school.
8. Publish the PLP in local newspapers and remind all PTA members to vote. This is an excellent opportunity to inform members who are not in your school about the program, and let them know when and where they may vote.

Votes are due to your District Director by October 31st. A ballot template is provided in the PLP. The PLP is available on the LURG CD mailed to each local unit president, on the website at www.vapta.org or by contacting the state office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information on the Virginia PTA Legislation Program, go to www.vapta.org or contact the Legislation Committee Chair at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Proposed Legislation Program - 2011 (47 kB)

Proposed Legislation Program for 2011 (368 kB)