Every group has its own shorthand, and the PTA is no exception. If you've ever sat through a meeting and thought, "Wait-what does that mean?" this section is for you.

Below is a glossary of terms and acronyms commonly used in PTA meetings, emails, and documents. Use it to stay in the loop and feel more confident when you're reading messages sent through our free school fundraising platform or sitting in PTA meetings.

Glossary of PTA terms

A

• Ad Hoc Committee - A temporary group formed for a specific purpose or short-term project, like planning a single event or conducting a survey.
• Agenda - A list of topics to be discussed at a meeting. Usually sent out ahead of time so members know what to expect. The agenda helps participants prepare in advance and stay focused during discussion.
• Annual Audit - A review of the PTA's financial records, often conducted at the end of the fiscal year to ensure compliance and transparency. This may be handled by a committee or an outside accountant, depending on the PTA's rules-

B

• Back-to-School Night - An event early in the school year where families meet teachers and learn about school programs. Often used to recruit PTA members and volunteers.
• Booster Club - A separate organization that supports a specific extracurricular group, such as athletics or music. PTAs sometimes collaborate with booster clubs for joint fundraising. Here's how you can use FutureFund to collect athletic fees for your club.
• Budget Committee - A group responsible for drafting the PTA's annual budget and tracking financial priorities.
• Bylaws - The official rules that govern your PTA. These cover things like officer roles, voting procedures, membership requirements, and meeting schedules. Bylaws must be reviewed and updated regularly.

C

• Chair - The person in charge of a committee or event. Sometimes called a "committee lead," this person delegates tasks and reports progress to the executive board.
• Committee - A group of PTA volunteers who work on a specific project or category (like fundraising, hospitality, or teacher appreciation). Committees can be standing (ongoing) or ad hoc (temporary).
• Council PTA - A regional organization that connects multiple PTAs within a district to support collaboration, training, and advocacy. FutureFund Connect is our solution for district and council PTAs-see how it works.

E

• Executive Board - The elected officers of the PTA, including the President, Vice President(s), Secretary, and Treasurer. This group makes decisions on behalf of the membership.

F

• Fundraiser - An event or campaign designed to raise money for school needs. Examples include Fun Runs, bake sales, read-a-thons, silent auctions, and online donation drives. Fundraisers must be approved by the PTA board and may require district approval. Find ideas for your next school fundraiser here.

H

• Hospitality Committee - A group that organizes appreciation events and provides food, decorations, or welcome gifts for teachers, staff, and volunteers.

M

• Membership Drive - A focused campaign to encourage families, teachers, and community members to join the PTA. Learn how to run a membership campaign for your PTA in FutureFund.
• Minutes - A written record of what happened at a PTA meeting. These are usually shared afterward with members and must be approved at the following meeting. Minutes are used to track decisions and action items.
• Motion - A formal proposal that the group votes on during a meeting (e.g., "I motion to approve the budget"). Motions must be seconded and discussed before being voted on.

N

• Nominating Committee - A group selected to identify and recommend candidates for officer roles in the upcoming school year. Often appointed in the spring before elections.

P

• Parliamentarian - An optional officer or advisor who helps ensure that meetings follow procedure, including Robert's Rules of Order and the PTA's bylaws.
• Program - Any PTA-sponsored event or initiative that supports students, families, or staff-such as assemblies, enrichment workshops, or parent education nights.

Q

• Quorum - The minimum number of voting members required to make official decisions. This number is set in your PTA's bylaws. Without quorum, no votes can be taken.

R

• Reimbursement Form - A document used by volunteers to request repayment for approved expenses. Most PTAs require receipts and prior budget approval.
• Roberts Rules of Order - A guide used to run meetings in a structured and fair way. Not every PTA follows these to the letter, but many use them as a reference to manage motions, debates, and voting procedures.

S

• Spirit Wear - School-branded apparel or accessories sold by the PTA to promote school pride and raise funds. Learn more about how to sell school spirit wear and other items in FutureFund.
• Standing Rules - Practical, often PTA-specific guidelines that cover everyday practices not included in the bylaws. These might cover reimbursement procedures, volunteer expectations, or how often events are held. Standing rules are easier to change than bylaws and can be updated by a vote at any general meeting.

T

• Teacher Grant - A mini-grant provided by the PTA to support classroom needs, creative projects, or professional development.

Key acronyms to know

• 501(c)(3) - The IRS designation for nonprofit organizations, including most PTAs.
• ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act. Relevant for PTA events to ensure accessibility.
• ASB - Associated Student Body. Typically refers to the student government, which sometimes collaborates with PTAs on events or fundraisers.
• CAPTA - California State PTA. One example of a state PTA organization. Other states have similar acronyms.
• DEI - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Often part of PTA initiatives aimed at creating more inclusive school communities.
• ELAC - English Learner Advisory Committee. A group that advises schools on programs and support for English Language Learners.
• FF - FutureFund. Our free platform for K-12 school groups to manage fundraising, volunteers, and communication all in one place.
• IRS - Internal Revenue Service. Relevant for PTAs because of tax filings and nonprofit status.
• MOU - Memorandum of Understanding. A formal agreement sometimes used between PTAs and schools or vendors.
• PTO - Parent Teacher Organization. Similar to a PTA but not affiliated with the National PTA.
• PTA - Parent Teacher Association. A national network of school-based organizations focused on supporting education and student well-being.
• SCC - School Community Council. A committee that may overlap with PTA efforts in areas like budgeting and school improvement planning.
• SEC - Secretary. Keeps meeting minutes, manages records, and handles official PTA correspondence.
• SEL - Social and Emotional Learning. A growing priority in many PTAs' advocacy and programming work.
• SPED - Special Education. Refers to programs and services for students with identified learning or developmental needs.
• STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Often the focus of PTA enrichment programs or fundraisers.
• VP - Vice President. Typically supports the President and may oversee specific committees or projects.

Bookmark this section or share it with new members-it's a simple way to help everyone feel a little less lost during their first few meetings.