Convention

The 113th California State PTA Convention will be held in Anaheim, May 9 -12, 2012. All convention events and activities will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center and the adjacent Anaheim Hilton Resort & Spa.

Sending a representative from your PTA to convention is a great way to encourage your members to be more involved in your PTA. It is very important for the PTA President-elect to attend convention. You might also consider sending members who considering a position on your incoming board, but don’t feel they are qualified. Convention conferences provide training and support to future leaders.

Registration Information

REGISTER EARLY to save time and money! Take advantage of the Early Registration Fee and reserve a seat at the conferences of your choice. By registering early you’ll save time in the registration line and receive additional information that will help you plan your trip, pack your suitcase, and make your convention experience the best it can be. You will return home with new ideas, improved skills and recharged energy. Convention is an excellent PTA investment, the ultimate leadership experience, and a PTA budget expense upon approval of the association.
Early and Advance Registration will be done online via the California State PTA website (February 1-April 30). The registration system requires payment by credit card, but will immediately provide you with a receipt that you can present to your PTA for reimbursement. You can also download the Registration Book [PDF] and print out the registration form and mail it in with your payment. (Note that mailed registration forms must be RECEIVED by the deadline, no postmarks accepted.)

2012 Convention Registration Fees:

* Discount pricing is available for multiple attendees staying at the Hilton Resort & Spa.  When any two full-time PTA member registrants from the same unit, council or district stay three nights at the Hilton Resort & Spa, the third registrant will receive free registration of any kind (voting or non-voting).

This would include registering two full-time students and getting the full-time adult registration for free — a potential savings of $199 or more for your unit!  Your best savings will be realized when you register online before March 31.

Free registration applies to all PTA member registration types, including students, one-day or Exhibit Hall passes.  The most expensive registration will be refunded.  Refund will be provided after proof of stay.  Reimbursement checks will be mailed in June.  Mail proof of stay and registration to:  Attn: VP for Convention, California State PTA, 2327 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816-1322.

EARLY REGISTRATION NOTE: Attendees who register by April 15 will receive their badge and workshop tickets in the mail, so they won’t have to get in line right away at Convention. They will still have to pick up their tote bag and voting card at registration at their own convenience.

CONVENTION HOUSING: The Hilton Resort & Spa is the official convention headquarters hotel. The Hyatt is offering a discounted rate ($189/night single or double occupancy) to all convention delegates and is holding a large block of rooms just for the California State PTA (book a room »). California State PTA knows convention attendees have a choice when it comes to staying in convention area hotels; however, staying at the one of the convention hotels helps the California State PTA meet its contractual obligations for this and future conventions.
The discounted rates are only available online until April 20. After April 20, reservations must be made directly with hotels at a higher rate.

Convention Activities

GENERAL MEETINGS: Business of the organization occurs during general meeting sessions held each day of convention. It is the responsibility of each delegate to attend all general meetings. These meetings are an opportunity for delegates to elect officers in election years, approve bylaws amendments and adopt resolutions. Meetings are filled with motivating speakers, exciting entertainment and award presentations. This year’s general meetings will take place at:

• First General Meeting: Wednesday 5/9, 3:30-6:00 PM
• Second General Meeting: Thursday 5/10, 4:00-7:00 PM
• Third General Meeting: Friday 5/11, 3:30-6:00 PM
• Fourth General Meeting: Saturday 5/12, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM

WORKSHOPS: There are 61 convention workshops this year held on May 9 – 11, available during two (2) time slots. The wide range of topics offers something for everyone. Note that workshop times have changed this year: On Wednesday at 10:00 AM -1:00 PM, on Thursday at 8:30-10:00 AM and 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, and on Friday at 8:30-10:00 AM and 10:30 AM-12:00 PM.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES: California State PTA invites students to register for convention. Students are invited to attend a special Student Orientation on Wednesday, May 9, at 1:30 PM. Students are also welcome to attend any of the workshops offered at Convention, however there are a number of workshops that may be of interest to students designated as “Track S” in the Convention Registration Book [PDF].

EXHIBITS: Discover over 150 companies and nonprofit organizations providing services and products for your PTA and school needs. Stay on top of the latest ideas for child and school safety, educational programs, health and fitness education, fundraising and much more. The exhibits will be open to convention goers on Wednesday through Friday, May 9-11, from  8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

PTA STORE: Plan to shop at the California State PTA Store while at convention. The PTA Store has a complete line of the latest PTA/PTSA merchandise and supplies for your association. Present a professional look with our exclusive PTA/PTSA branded merchandise.

Special Activities

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH NATIONAL PTA: Take advantage of this opportunity to meet with National PTA President . Share ideas and learn what you can do as a PTA leader in your community. The town hall will take place on Wednesday, May 9 at 1:30 PM. The event is free, but does require a ticket, which you can reserve during registration.

STATE PTA ARTS ADVOCACY LUNCHEON: Friday, May 11. Enjoy lunch and a presentation by Larry Powell.  Honor our Reflections winners and be a voice for the arts.  The event will be held at the Convention Center at 12:30 PM and costs $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased during registration.

SPECIAL BREAKFAST-N-LEARN: Join the Dairy Council for a Thursday morning breakfast discussion about to support your PTAs health programs through their FREE nutrition education curricula and services available to all California schools and teachers.This special session will take place on Thursday, May 10  at 7:00 AM.  Sign up for the breakfast when you register for convention.  $10 per person.  Space is limited.

DREAM ON WITH PTA: Get a well-deserved rest on the final morning of Convention, as well as a stylish shirt and ribbon in recognition of modeling healthy dreaming habits. The $20 cost to participate benefits the State PTA Healthy Lifestyles Grant fund.

DISTRICT DINNER: 17th District will be hosting district events. More information will be coming soon.

Budgeting for Convention

PTA units and councils should budget to send delegates to Convention. Councils and units with 15-250 members can send two voting delegates; units with 251-500 members can send three; units with 501-750 members can send four; and units with 751 or more members can send five. The president-elect is automatically entitled to be one of the voting delegates to Convention. Voting delegates are expected to attend full-time.

Units may also send an unlimited number of non-voting delegates to Convention, which may attend for only one-day or full-time. Non-voting delegates can attend all workshops and meetings, but cannot vote on officers, resolutions, or other motions, and cannot speak at the microphones in general meetings.

Here is a suggested approximate budget for a full-time delegate:

• Registration: $200 ($100 for students)
• Lodging: $400 (half of a double-occupancy room for 4 nights, plus room tips)
• Meals: $200 (recommended per diem is $47/day — $10 for breakfast, $12 for lunch, and $25 for dinner)
• Transportation:
  • Flight (from SFO to LAX) $150-$200 + Airport Shuttle $30-$40, or
  • Driving: $360 (approx. 800 miles round trip, reimbursed at $0.45/mile), or
  • Amtrak (from San Jose to Los Angeles) $120-$150 + Station Shuttle $30-$40

Total per Delegate: approx. $1000

17th District PTA Convention Scholarships

17th District PTA is offering scholarships of up to $500 to help defray the costs of Convention. The scholarships are for emerging leaders/first-time delegates or student delegates who come from a PTA in need of financial assistance (as a reminder, Convention is a legitimate PTA expense which PTAs are encouraged to budget for). Members applying for this scholarship must be a member of a PTA/PTSA in good standing and must be elected by the general membership of their PTA/PTSA to represent their association as a full-time voting delegate. This scholarship also requires the recipient to prepare a report from Convention and submit it to their unit, council, and 17th District by June 15.

Download the Grant Application [PDF]
The deadline for submitting the scholarship form to 17th District is March 16, 2012.

Have Any Other Questions?

If you have any questions about registering for or attending Convention, please contact Lorene Lederer, Vice President for Programs & Convention.