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Goal100™LEARNING
Families · Community groups

🤝 PTA, PTSA, PFC and SEPTA

How parent groups work in New York: units, councils, dues, officers and bylaws. Simple words, official sources.

General information only. Goal100 is not connected to these groups. Names, dates, dues and officers change every school year. Always check the group's or district's official page. Everything here was checked on Nov 9, 2026.

How PTA is organized

How PTA is organizedFive levels from top to bottom: National PTA, New York State PTA, region such as Suffolk Region PTA, council of three or more units in a district, and the local unit at a school where members join. National PTA New York State PTA Region (Suffolk Region PTA) Council (3+ units in a district) Local unit at your school: join here

Not every group is a PTA. Some districts use other names. Deer Park schools list Parent Faculty Clubs (PFC) and a Special Education Parent Faculty Club (SEPFC). Ask your group if it belongs to NYS PTA.

Dues: where your money goes

Where each member's first $5 of dues goesA bar split in two: $3.25 to National PTA and $1.75 to New York State PTA, total $5.00. Anything above $5 stays with the local unit. Each member since July 1, 2025: $5.00+ $3.25National PTA $1.75NYS PTA More than $5.00? The rest stays withyour local PTA (set in its bylaws).

Example with made-up numbers: a school PTA sets dues at $8.00 per member. Step 1: $3.25 goes to National PTA. Step 2: $1.75 goes to NYS PTA. Step 3: $8.00 − $3.25 − $1.75 = $3.00 stays with the school PTA. With 200 members: 200 × $3.00 = $600 for school programs.

NYS PTA says the state and national portions are not part of a unit's funds. Each unit decides its own total in its bylaws, but it must be at least $5.00.

Officers, bylaws and rules

Officers

The minimum officers are a president, secretary and treasurer. Many units also have vice presidents and a council delegate. Officers are elected by members under the bylaws.

Bylaws

Bylaws are the group's rules (dues, elections, meetings). NYS PTA units must have bylaws approved every three years, and pay dues and insurance each year, to stay in good standing.

Who can join

"Anyone can join a local PTA unit. There is no requirement that a member must have children in school." Grandparents, teachers and neighbors are welcome.

No selling, no politics

PTAs are noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan. "No commercial enterprise and no candidate may be endorsed." National PTA "does not endorse any commercial product or service."

SEPTA: special education parent groups

A SEPTA brings together families, teachers and friends of students who receive special education services, and often gifted and talented learners. Typical activities: monthly meetings, guest talks about the Committee on Special Education (CSE) process, family support nights and celebrations.

Long Island examples: West Babylon SEPTA meets at the Senior High School library and offers online membership; Commack, Half Hollow Hills and North Babylon list a SEPTA with their PTA groups; Deer Park has the SEPFC. See the directory.

Typical PTA jobs (roles)

RoleWhat you doTime
MemberPay dues, come to meetings, vote.About 1 evening a month
Event volunteerHelp at one event (book fair, family night, food drive).1-3 hours
Committee chairLead one area: membership, Reflections arts program, hospitality, newsletter, scholarships.A few hours a month
Council delegateBring news between your school PTA and the council.1 extra meeting a month
OfficerPresident, vice president, secretary or treasurer under the bylaws.Several hours a week

Sources