1. State Reflections Network Meeting I
How to launch your statewide program
To access the recording of this webinar, please use this link (
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2. 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

3. 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
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

4. 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.

5. 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 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).

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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