Thursday, July 2, 2015

WASHINGTON STATE PTA CONGRATULATES LAURA BAY AS NATIONAL PTA PRESIDENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kathryn Hobbs
Washington State PTA
(253) 214-7410

WASHINGTON STATE PTA CONGRATULATES LAURA BAY AS NATIONAL PTA PRESIDENT
The Washington native was installed during the 2015 National Convention

Tacoma, WA (July 1, 2015): Laura Bay was installed as the National PTA President at the June 2015 National PTA convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the last two years, Bay has served as National PTA President-elect. Prior to serving as President-elect, Bay served a two-year term as Secretary-Treasurer and served on the national PTA Board of Directors and on the finance and field service committees. From 2007-2009, Bay served on the organizational viability committee for National PTA. As a passionate advocate for children’s issues and their education, she believes that PTA is the organization that actively supports and engages parents, teachers, and communities for children and their education.

“I had the distinct pleasure of attending Laura’s installation as National PTA president,” states Washington State President, Barbara Martin. “Her vision for focusing on health and safety, education, and programs received overwhelming support. Washington State PTA is very proud of Laura and wishes her much successes as she leads our great association.”

Since entering her son’s kindergarten classroom over two decades ago, Bay began dedicating herself to PTA. Bay launched her PTA involvement in local, council, and regional activities and served in a variety of roles. She was also an active parent at each school building and at the district level, having served as a parent voice at staff meetings and on budget committee.

Bay believes that the power of PTA can be found with the diverse volunteers that share a passion to engage parents, support their communities by voicing educational needs, health and safety issues, and to cultivate leaders to advocate for children anytime and anywhere.

While she led Washington State PTA as the state president, 2007-2009, Bay was focused to increase the leadership potential in all levels of PTA; Bay implemented the pursuit of hiring a new executive director. Bay also led the Washington State PTA in a collaboration with other organizations for the successful passage of Engrossed House Joint Resolution (EHJR) 4204 – Simple Majority Initiative. Bay was also able to provide testimony before state senate and house committees, led a rally on the state capitol steps and immersed herself in a statewide PTA campaign for the signing of HB 2261 (Basic Education Funding) with other education-focused organizations.

Prior to serving as Washington State President, Bay served on the Washington State PTA Board of Directors for six years in various roles: region director, secretary, and leadership director.

Bay and her husband, Robert, reside in Poulsbo, Washington, where they enjoy time with their three adult children: Andrew, Matthew, and Celeste. Bay was an educator for the Bremerton School District and currently works in the district office as a coordinator for assessment and instruction.

About Washington State PTA: The Washington State PTA was founded in 1905 by Abby Williams Hill of Tacoma, an artist who saw the need for an organization to support Washington's children. Thanks to her leadership and vision—and over 132,000 current members who have carried her vision forward—Washington State PTA has been a leading voice for children in Washington for more than 106 years. To learn more about the Washington State PTA, please visit www.wastatepta.org.

1304 S. Fawcett Avenue, Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 214-7410

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