California State PTA Convention 2010: Sacramento
April 29-May 2, 2010
The 111th California State PTA Convention will be held in Sacramento, April 29-May 2, 2010. All convention events and activities will take place at the Sacramento Convention Center and the Sacramento Sheraton Grand Hotel. 17th District will be one of the four host districts at this Convention, so we’re hoping to have a good turnout this year!
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.
Save The Date! 17th District will hold a Convention Orientation on Tuesday, April 20 from 7:00-8:30 PM. Please RSVP with Sara Otus-Green, Vice President of Programs & Convention for more details.
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 2-April 16). 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.)
2010 Convention Registration Fees:
| Registration Type | Early Registration* (Feb. 1 to Mar. 31) |
Advance Registration (Apr. 1 to Apr. 16) |
Onsite Registration (Apr. 30 to May 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time (voting, nonvoting) | $140 | $180 | $200 |
| Full time Student (voting, nonvoting) | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| One Day (nonvoting) | $90 | $110 | $120 |
| One Day Student (nonvoting) | $40 | $40 | $40 |
| Non-PTA member | $400 | $400 | $400 |
| Exhibit Hall Only* – PTA Member | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Exhibit Hall Only* – Non-PTA Member | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Lost Badge Replacement | N/A | N/A | $35 |
| Mailed Badge/Ticket (reprint) | N/A | N/A | $10 |
* The exhibit hall will be open for free on Thursday, April 29. Anyone not already registered for Convention simply need to pick up a free wristband at registration that will be valid for Thursday only.
EARLY REGISTRATION NOTE: Attendees who register by March 31 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 Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel is the official convention headquarters hotel. You can make reservations through the Sacramento Convention Visitors Bureau. The Sheraton Grand Hotel is offering a discounted rate to all convention delegates and is holding a large block of rooms just for the California State PTA. The Hyatt Regency, the Residence Inn @ Capitol Park, the Citizen Hotel, the Holiday Inn Express and the Clarion Hotel Mansion Inn will all have blocks of rooms at discounted rates for PTA convention delegates. 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.
Again, if you do not wish to book online, there is a housing form in the Convention Registration Book [PDF], however online reservation is preferred.
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 bylaw 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: Thursday 4/29, 4:30-7:00 PM
- Second General Meeting: Friday 4/30, 8:30-11:00 AM
- Third General Meeting: Friday 4/30, 7:30-10:00 PM
- Fourth General Meeting: Saturday 5/1, 8:30-10:30 AM
- Fifth General Meeting: Saturday 5/1, 4:00-7:00 PM
- Sixth General Meeting: Sunday 5/2, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
PTA BASICS CONFERENCES: This year eight (8) PTA Basics conferences will be held on Thursday, April 29 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Convention delegates will be able to attend one of these conferences at no additional charge. These conferences are an opportunity for delegates to get an early start on basic training in areas such as Leadership, Finance, Parent Involvement, Membership, Education, Advocacy, and Parliamentary Procedure. Seating is limited, so be sure to select the conference of your choice when registering.
WORKSHOPS: There are 72 convention workshops this year held on April 30 and May 1, to be held during four (4) time slots. The wide range of topics offers something for everyone. Interpretation in Spanish will be provided at all general meetings and designated conferences. Note that workshop times are different year: On Friday at 2:00-3:30 PM and 4:00-5:30 PM, and on Saturday at 11:00 AM-12:30 PM and 2:00-3:30 PM.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES: California State PTA invites students to register for convention. There will be a special Student Orientation on Thursday, April 29, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, and a special Student Delegate Ice Cream Social on Saturday, May 1, at 8:30 PM. Students are 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 175 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 FREE to everyone (non-convention attendees, parent groups, church groups, scouts, etc.) on Thursday, April 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.!
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: National PTA is updating the strategic plan for the association this year. This meeting will provide the opportunity for participants to share input directly with National PTA, and will take place on Thursday, April 29 at 11:00 AM-12:30 PM.
RALLY ON THE CAPITOL: Walk with PTA to the Capitol steps and let our legislators know it is time to stop balancing the budget on the backs of our children. This is a chance to stretch your legs and do something and fun and easy that helps the kids. The rally will take place on Thursday, April 29 at 2:00-3:30 PM.
STATE SUPERINTENDENTS DEBATE: State PTA will be hosting a debate between the candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction on Friday, April 30 at 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. Come and hear the candidates debate the issues affecting public education in California and get informed.
DISTRICT DINNER: Join 17th District PTA for a special dinner event on Saturday night, May 1. More information will be available within the next few weeks.
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 Scholarship Application [PDF]
The deadline for submitting the scholarship form to 17th District is March 25, 2010.
California State PTA is looking for volunteers to help out at Convention this year. Volunteers at Convention are entitled to free admission to the general meetings, exhibits and workshops (space permitting), plus mileage and parking reimbursements on the day(s) that you volunteer. And while you’re up in Sacramento, you’re more than welcome to join the other 17th District delegates for other district events that will be taking place! If you’re interested in volunteering, there’s an online form for Convention volunteers where you can select the positions/times that you’re interested in, or you can simply provide the number of hours you can volunteer and ask to be placed where needed. If you have any questions about registering for or attending Convention, please contact Sara Otus-Green, Vice President for Programs & Convention.
Volunteers Needed at Convention!
Have Any Other Questions?
