Awards available Year-Round

Advocate in Action

​Due Date: As soon as requirements are complete

Purpose: The Advocate in Action Award was created in 2007 to acknowledge the involvement of PTA members in their child’s education as well as in their PTA. Members can self- nominate, or can be presented with the award by their PTA. ​​

​Eligibility: Each applicant must be a PTA member who has participated in at least 8 of the 20 activities listed on the application. Activities range from attending PTA meetings regularly, to service as an officer or chair, to writing articles or letters to legislators, to speaking at a meeting of the Board of Education, to attending a parent-teacher conference. The unit president is not required to validate any of the statements of the applicant, other than to confirm that the applicant is a member of the PTA unit.

Application: Completed Advocate in Action applications from the Brochure must be submitted to the unit president or Region Director. The president or Region Director will fill out the submission form, indicating the method by which award certificates should be returned, sign it and send it to the NYS PTA state office. Applications from individual members cannot be accepted. The application may be duplicated as necessary for additional applicants.

Awards: Personalized certificates are prepared for each applicant. These certificates, suitable for framing, contain the signature of the NYS PTA president as well as providing a place for the unit president’s signature. The certificates can be emailed to the PTA president’s specified email address at no charge, or hard copies of the certificates can be mailed to one address for the nominal charge of $1 per certificate. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year. Please allow 4-6 weeks for receipt of certificates.

Submit To: ​ Unit President or Region Director, who will submit applications with submission form to: NYS PTA, One Wembley Court, Albany, NY 12205-3830

Diamond Award for Special Recognition

​Due Date: Anytime

​Purpose: ​Are you looking for a special way to honor your most dedicated volunteers? New York State PTA offers this beautifully crafted award to make a distinguished presentation to an honoree. Proceeds from the Diamond Awards will be dedicated to leadership development throughout the state. Make a positive contribution to the future of PTA, while at the same time honoring the dedication and excellence of members.

Eligibility: ​There are no eligibility requirements.

Application: The completed application form should be accompanied by a check for $250.00 made payable to New York State PTA. Allow six weeks for delivery. Click here for the application.

Award: A tabletop sculptured award in the shape of a diamond. It has personalized engraving with the name of the award recipient and bears the signature of our state president.

Submit to:​ New York State PTA, Attention: Diamond Award, One Wembley Court, Albany, New York 12205

Distinguished Service Award

​Due Date: Anytime

Purpose: ​The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to the welfare of children and youth, or to a PTA association.

Eligibility: Recipients must be PTA members who have been awarded a New York State Honorary Life Membership. The Distinguished Service Award may be given only by the New York State PTA or by its regions, councils or units.

Application: The completed application form should be accompanied by a check for $75.00 made payable to New York State PTA and a letter explaining why the applicant is being honored. Allow four weeks for delivery. Click here​ for the application.

Award: Recipient of the award receives a certificate and a Distinguished Service Pin.

Submit To: New York State PTA Attention: Distinguished Service Award One Wembley Court Albany, New York 12205

Golden Oak Award for Special Recognition

​Due Date: Anytime

Purpose:​ Are you looking for a special way to honor your most dedicated volunteers? New York State PTA offers this beautifully crafted award to make a distinguished presentation to an honoree. Proceeds from the Golden Oak Awards will be dedicated to leadership development throughout the state. Make a positive contribution to the future of PTA, while at the same time honoring the dedication and excellence of members past and present!

Eligibility: ​There are no eligibility requirements.

Application: ​The completed application form should be accompanied by a check for $150.00 made payable to New York State PTA. Allow six weeks for delivery. Click here for the application.

Award: A wooden plaque with personalized engraving with the name of the award recipient and bears the signature of our state president

Submit to: New York State PTA Attention: Golden Oak Award One Wembley Court Albany, New York 12205-3830 .

Honorary Life Membership

Due Date: Anytime

Purpose​: The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals for their contributions to the welfare of children and youth. The financial contribution supports the Twin Projects.

Eligibility: ​The award is given only to individuals - who need not be a member of PTA. They need not be well-known beyond their own area of service.

Application: A request for a State Honorary Life Membership should be mailed to the New York State PTA Office on the official form and should be accompanied with a payment of $55.00 to either of the Twin Projects funds or two payments of $27.50 to each fund. Click here for the application.

Award: The recipient receives a Life Membership pin, congratulatory card, and an Honorary Life Member card.

Please Note: ​The completed application form and accompanying payment (with two signatures) must be received in the New York State PTA office at least four weeks prior to the presentation of the award. This is an honorary award. In order to be a member of the New York State/National PTA the recipient must purchase a membership in a unit or Empire State PTA.

​Submit to: New York State PTA Attention: Distinguished Service Award One Wembley Court Albany, New York 12205-3830

National PTA Life Achievement Award

Due Date: Anytime

Purpose​: Recognize and thank that special person you know who goes above and beyond for all children—the one who acts as a tireless advocate for children’s education, health, and well-being.

​Eligibility​: The award is given only to individuals - who need not be a member of PTA. They need not be well-known beyond their own area of service.

Application: Complete the form or call (800) 307-4782. The $125 fee for presenting the Life Achievement Award supports the National PTA Endowment Fund and helps ensure the longevity of the association. Your honoree need not be a PTA member to receive the award.

Award: ​​The recipient of the National PTA Life Achievement Award will receive a certificate of recognition, a congratulatory letter from the national PTA® president, and an elegant 10- karat gold lapel pin or tie tack. The award items will be sent according to the directions accompanying your request and a sample press release will be provided for use in your local media.

Submit to: National PTA 1250 North Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314