Thank you for your interest in the MacArthur PTA. Joining is easy. Simply print out the membership form in English or Spanish and send it in to the MacArthur office on any Tuesday. Your membership card will be sent home with your student.

$3.25 of every $5 membership ($6.50 of every $10 family membership) is sent to the Illinois PTA for our state and national dues. $1.75 of that is sent to National PTA for development of programs, lobbying efforts, etc. The remaining $1.50 is used by the Illinois PTA to fund out statewide initiatives, lobbying, and programs.

The remaining $1.75 of your dues goes to fund local school programs via our expense budget. With the exception of Book Fair (whose profit is taken in the form of books to provide all students with a new book courtesy of the Birthday Book Club) all proceeds from membership and fundraising are designated for the support of all expense committees.

Why join the PTA?

Here's what the National PTA says on this subject:

The number-one reason to join the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help your school. But there are many more advantages. Here are just a few:

• Get Connected: There.s no better way to know what.s happening in your school.
• Discover Great Resources: The PTA offers a variety of programs designed for parents as well as students.
• Tap into a Network: Parenting is not easy.it helps to share ideas, concerns and experiences with other parents and educators in the community. PTA functions are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers, building rapport and discussing issues that are on your mind.
• Watch Yourself Grow: By volunteering with your PTA, you gain valuable experiences. It.s an opportunity to put your skills and hobbies to good use for a good cause.your child and all children in the community.
• Speak Up: Because the PTA is a forum for exchanging ideas, you are encouraged to make suggestions. PTA can be a way for you to more effectively suggest change at your child.s school.
• Witness Improvement: By getting involved at your child.s school you.ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. Local PTAs play an important role in fundraising to provide building improvements, curriculum-based programs, and social events.all vital to a school.s success.
• Be a Role Model: By becoming a PTA member, you.ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.

Learn more about the Benefits of Joining PTA from National PTA or go to the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the MacArthur PTA.

Source: National PTA website at http://www.pta.org/jp_why_join_pta.html. All information is copyrighted by the National PTA. Used with permission.