154. Howie Berman, ED of National PTA, on Volunteerism, Advocacy, and Belonging in School Communities
Update: 2025-09-04
Description
How do we support children in school and beyond, especially during a time of cultural, political, and economic fragmentation? What role can associations play in elevating the power of families and communities in education?
In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Howie Berman, Executive Director of the National PTA. Howie discusses:
- The mission and reach of the National PTA as the oldest child advocacy organization in the U.S.
- Why membership is open to all—not just parents—and the importance of shared community responsibility.
- The unique challenges of leading a professional association whose members are not tied by a single profession.
- How National PTA is professionalizing volunteerism by offering structured training and envisioning certification tracks.
- Howie’s first 90 days as Executive Director, which included a “listen and learn” tour across state PTAs, and conversations with past presidents and partners.
- The importance of amplifying student voices, reimagining events, and removing barriers to leadership in traditional organizational structures.
- Challenges in federated membership structures and how National PTA is working to improve visibility and communication.
- National PTA’s commitment to equity, including multilingual resources and engagement of families in Title I districts.
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