State Reflections Network Meeting I How to launch your statewide program To access the recording of this webinar, please use this link (https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2298166618349657867). If you have questions please email Reflections@PTA.org

State PTA Reflections Chairs Duties State Reflections Chairs are responsible for the overall implementation of the National PTA Reflections program. Tasks necessary for starting a new program year in your state include but are not limited to: Registering and setting goals Customizing templatized materials Recruiting volunteers Coordinating training and support for PTAs Promoting Reflections and Theme Search Contest participation

Registering and Setting Goals Register for the new year at PTA.org/Reflections Use National PTA for State registration reports to target specific areas or schools Register for the State Reflections Network at PTA.org/StateReflectionsLibrary Set regional student participation and PTA registration goals Use goals to benchmark success and to use resources efficiently Ex: Set the goal of increasing the number of student entries, invest time in recruiting supportive teachers Register your state as participating for Reflections and then encourage all levels of PTA units in your state to register To gain access to the registration reports you can: Visit PTA.org/StateReflectionsLibrary for an anonymized report Email Reflections@pta.org for more detailed reports Register as the Chair so you can have access to our State Reflections Library which includes all the information and templatized resources for you to share with your state Reflections leaders Monthly newsletters with important updates, tips, and reminders Access to these webinars and other networking opportunities

Customizing Materials State Reflections Chairs should customize the program materials available on PTA.org/StateReflectionsLibrary Add the following details to PTA Leader materials: How to connect with council, district, region and state leaders for assistance. State program timeline. How to package and ship entries to the next round of judging. How many entries per division and category that may advance. Add the following details to Student materials: Local submission packaging instructions. Statewide rules for student eligibility. Statewide entry submission requirements (within the limits of the national rules). Customize materials to be as descriptive and specific as possible to ensure you are well prepared for issues that arise. Be thorough as you build out portions of the materials that cover areas you know your state, volunteers, and/or students struggle with TIP: Think about the most difficult part of the process for your state and breakdown the steps to complete the process one by one.

Recruiting Volunteers Tap into historical connections Previous chairs may have ideas and suggestions Tap into personal connections Friends and family members with a passion for the arts Explore the art community in your state Talk to local museums or artisans and build your network Use recruiting messages specific to the audience Research and share statistics on the positive impacts the arts have on academic success with school leaders. See National PTA’s Arts Ed for resources Offer free or reduced State PTA convention registration to PTA President as a recruitment incentive Provide promotional material to local PTAs. Visit Shop.PTA for state-specific material. When approaching your state’s art communities, don’t be intimidated! Most of them are passionate about expanding access to the arts, as well. Start there and build your relationship with them further. Potential other options for recruiting volunteers: Collaborate with your PTA Councils, Districts or Regions to host a PTA President event with food to promote PTA programs, specifically Reflections. Collaborate with your PTA Councils, Districts or Regions to host a Reflections 101 training for Local PTA leaders. Encourage PTA Councils, Districts or Regions to conduct one-on-one outreach to each PTA President in their area. Grow your own State PTA Reflections Network! Host Webinars, conference calls or facilitate a Listserv or email chain to share important information, best practices and good local ideas. Promote the Reflections Program regularly through your State PTA’s Facebook page or e-newsletter. Don’t just promote the program—show its impact on students, schools and Local PTAs. For example, share how a Local PTA and school showcase children and their artwork. Issue an incentive or challenge. For example, offer free State PTA convention registration to the PTA Councils, Districts or Regions that reach a certain threshold for recruiting Local PTAs (e.g., 75% of PTAs in the area).

Coordinating Training Use materials provided by National PTA for easy training E-Learning Course covers all the basics for running a Reflections program Local Leader Guide acts as a training manual for local leaders Enhance existing training materials Make a state specific e-learning course using PowerPoint Incorporate more how-to steps in local leader guides TIP: Use our Reflections Training PowerPoint as a template Create all new training materials Consider hosting a Reflections 101 workshop or training session to work with leaders face-to-face Training can be the most difficult aspect of the State Reflections Chair position. However, it doesn’t have to be. Use the resources provided by National PTA to make training easier. TIP: Think of training on a spectrum of effort: Low-level effort: Use National PTA e-learning course and local leader guide as training tools. Make minimal adjustments to deadlines and contact information and then share out. Medium-level effort: Use National PTA training materials but more rigorously build out sections training sections that local leaders struggle with to ease their efforts. High-level effort: Create entirely new training materials that focus specifically on the needs of your state **No level of effort is uniquely better or worse. Each state is different with different needs and each Chair is different with different capacities.

Promoting Participation Make state specific program messages to share on social media Ex: ‘NebrASKa yourself why you aren’t participating in Reflections’ Use promotional materials around your community – not just in the schools Ex: Post flyers at local grocery stores or art museums Develop and share a short lesson plan relevant to the Reflections theme with teachers Offer incentives to Local PTAs that have the most submissions Ex: Gift baskets from ShopPTA.com, celebration materials for Reflections exhibit Be specific to your state and your local units as you think about promoting participation. TIP: Use the goals you set to drive the promotional message you use Consider these additional program messages to help you spread the word about PTA Reflections: PTA Reflections welcomes students of all grades and all abilities to explore their inner artist. Students may explore one or all six arts disciplines, including: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. Students reflect on the annual theme in school or at home and are recognized for their participation and achievement in the arts. Every student is recognized for their accomplishments with the opportunity for state and national awards and recognition. The love of art and celebration of students can bring together people from across the community—families, teachers and friends. New academic standards require more critical thinking and problem solving, which translates into more creativity and deeper reflection. That’s why Reflections isn’t just for arts classes.

Questions? Questions Raised During Webinar: How do states follow up on training? Considering using ‘Office hours’ during a conference call once a month; modeled after NPTA What is the best way to get middle school students excited or involved? Consider using messaging around College resumes and readiness Artistic portfolio building Are there any community PTAs that send entries directly to states? Will students still need to sign on the student entry portal? Is the signature on the entry form the only signature required? Discussion Questions During Webinar: How to get your programs up and running? Orientations/back to school bashes State leadership conferences/workshops