Hi Michelle -
Glad you've found the site. It sounds like the PTA math is working in your favor, but in my research, you're the exception not the rule.
Here are some of the variables:
1. State dues (some are low, some are as high as $3/member and higher).
2. Insurance rates. These vary by state for PTAs. Some states (because of high number of insured PTAs and good claims history) get really great rates -- the best available. But in many other states, the difference between NPN (
www.ptotoday.com/npn
) rates and PTA rates aren't that great.
3. Number of PTA members. The average PTA unit reports more than 240 members (6 million PTA members divided by 25,000 units). At that high a number, the PTA dues number adds up quickly.
As an example, a CT PTA with 240 members would pay $1200 in dues BEFORE paying for the insurance.
I'm guessing that you may be in a state with low state dues and you may have a real good PTA insurance rate and you may not have that many members (keeping your total dues cost even lower). That would be like the perfect combination of PTA financial benefit. But, again, you'd be the exception, not the rule.
One added note when doing the math: the NPN package includes quite a bit more than just the insurance discount. There are free subscriptions to the magazine, 70-page+ "Expert Guides" on key topics and a lot more. Full details =
www.ptotoday.com/npn
In my experience, "doing the math" is one of the most common reasons PTA groups do disaffiliate.
Tim
[ 09-22-2003, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: Rockne ]