The first and second articles of the national PTA bylaws introduce the name and purpose of the organization. As stated in the bylaws, the PTA seeks to promote the welfare of children in the school, community and at home with teachers, parents and friends. If necessary, the PTA offers to lobby for laws to protect the academic and personal rights of children and youth. Most importantly, the PTA looks to help staff schools with caring, well-trained teachers who enjoy collaborating with parents and families to enhance the students' learning experience.
Article III of the PTA bylaws outlines basic policies. The PTA announces first that this organization must remain noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan to protect its mission and goals, and that it will never use net earnings received to benefit members, directors, trustees, officers or other persons associated with the PTA. Article II finishes with the assertion that the association and its members cannot participate directly or indirectly in political campaign or debate while representing the PTA.
Article IV of the bylaws lists deals with existing PTA associations. The PTA has working branches in all 50 U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The national board of directors oversees every PTA and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) branch to provide uniformity.
Article V outlines membership and dues, welcoming all people to membership in the PTA without discrimination. Each member pays annual dues to retain membership, and the national board determines the amount of the dues.
Articles VI through XXIII outline the positions one can fill in the PTA and the structure of those positions within the context of the entire organization. The organization lists diversity, PTA knowledge and professionalism as the guiding principles for each nomination appointment. These articles also outline the nomination and voting processes so elections remain uniform and fair.
The final article in the national bylaws explains how PTA members can lobby for amendments to the bylaws. Members must mail amendments to the board of directors at least 60 days before the annual convention. At an annual convention, the board of directors reviews and approves or denies proposals for amendments, and members vote on them. The amendment must receive a two-thirds vote to pass.