firstof all don't most PTAs include the students as full members now? mine did. they even changed the name to PTSA. Not that any would caught dead at a meeting . . . I think certain groups were forced to attend meeting periodically - cheerleaders, student government . . . .
and yes, the motto sounds very bad, and I am in no way defending the PTA and have never ever participated in a meeting . . . .but . . .
here is my take on mission meets motto (and i realize this is my inner optimist speaking). It is my understanding that PTA is mostly parents working to make sure the needs of the students are met. Granted usually the schools i have been to are most active in securing monies for equipment of one kind or another and occaisionally promoting the arts through contests or finding some small way to show thier appreciation towards teachers. in which case they are advocating for all the students on some level since all will benifit from playground equipment and what not. but occaisionally they would take on issues from individual students. so perhaps they mean to imply that they are one unified powerful voice for each and every child. after all there is influance in numbers. rather than each child and thier family having to stand on thier own. a girl can hope anyway.
