What Is Bedford County PTA Council?

The Bedford County PTA Council is a network of all of the PTA/PTSAs at the schools in Bedford County. The County PTA Council refers to each school's PTA or PTSA as a "local unit."  All local units in Bedford County are part of the Council. Participation in the County PTA Council is encouraged so that individuals volunteering in their local units can network with other members from schools within the county.

The Council acts as a liaison between the local units and the District, State, and National PTA. The Council was organized in June 1991 by the authority of the Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers. The Council is part of the Roanoke District PTA. Any local unit is automatically a member of the Council, District, State, and National PTAs.

Each local PTA unit has three seats on the Bedford County PTA Council Executive Board:

1. the local unit PTA president or his/her designate,
2. the local unit County Council representative or his/her designate,
3. the school principal or his/her designate.

Board meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month except June, July and December. The February meeting is a reception for the Council PTA Reflections honorees. The May meeting is the annual banquet and Council officer election, held at one of the schools.

The local PTA units support the Council in many ways. Each unit pays dues of $.20 per local unit member. These dues support the general operating budget of the Council, including the Reflections program. Each unit also supports the Council Scholarship Fund by making a donation each year. The Council Scholarship Fund awards a $1000 scholarship to a graduating senior from each of the three county high schools. Members of local PTA units serve as Council officers and committee chairpersons.

The Council also supports the local units. The Council handbook is an excellent resource for local units. It provides information about Council events, local government, State and National PTAs, PTA presidents from each county school, school administration, etc. Council board members are available to help local units with bylaws revisions and questions, budgets, fundraising ideas, program options, etc.

The Council has a library filled with information in the board room at the School Administration Building in Bedford. Topics include parenting, drug and alcohol abuse, helping your child in school, sex education, character education, gangs and information about PTA committees. The Council also has copies of a book published by the National PTA about how to get your community more involved in your PTA. These resources may be borrowed by any local PTA.

The Council Connection newsletter highlights local PTA/PTSA activities. Local units are invited to share information about their schools three times a year. This information is shared with all members of the Council PTA. Local units may also reproduce the newsletter for their local members, if desired.

The Council is a forum for all of the schools in Bedford County. It is an opportunity for us to work together for the benefit of the education of all of the children in our county. It is a place to share ideas, get the latest information, and become a part of the PTA community. We welcome your input and attendance at Council events this year.