Please review the list below of items not funded.

• Items purchased at Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club.
• Gift cards, cash awards, or gift certificates are not allowed. Gift baskets of total costs up to $100 per event are acceptable provided prohibited items are excluded. School supplies are recommended.
• Cash to purchase donated items for your community service event.
• T-shirts are only permitted for events that they will be worn to. T-shirts for all your local association’s members cannot be funded via PEP. T-shirts are only for those members, parents, and students who will attend PEP events. The full name of your local association must be prominently displayed on any apparel purchased via PEP.
• Newspaper or television advertisements. Paid media for school budget proposals including TV/radio ads, billboards, or bus advertisements.
• Referendum or candidate endorsement projects. PEP funds cannot be used for an association’s endorsement of any political candidate. “Meet the candidates” events can be sponsored via PEP.
• Advertisements or lawn signs for school budget elections.
• Equipment for projects for local association offices (cameras, phones, computers, tablets, etc.).
• Multiple promo items per event or from another vendor.
• Accommodations and transportation services.
• Indoor furniture.
• Promotional items for members and students.
• Alcoholic beverages and bartender fees.
• Student planners.
• PEP will not pay for members’ dues in local organizations such as parent teacher associations. Chamber of Commerce membership fees are acceptable.
• Meals for members (unless they are part of a community event).
• Stipends for members and their families (this is a volunteer program).
• Board of education meetings and picketing activities do not qualify as PEP events.
• Any other event that poses an unnecessary liability for the association. Members’ participation in a parade event is acceptable, but if vehicles of any kind (including school busses) are a part of your local association’s entourage, please make NJEA aware immediately.
• PEP funds cannot be used for direct charitable contributions, including members’ registration fees in events such as 5k runs and golf tournaments. Sponsoring a hole at a golf tournament on behalf of your association is acceptable. Talk to your field representative about establishing an association philanthropic fund to cover charitable contributions.
• No local association sponsorship funded through PEP is to exceed $2,500. This includes and is not limited to project graduation sponsorships.
• Materials that are the responsibility of the school district (curriculum items such as textbooks and workbooks, carpeting, athletic equipment, academic program materials, display cases, sound systems, wiring, landscaping, and class trips, etc.).
• Events should take place within your local association’s school community. Events should be held at times convenient for parents and community members.
• Sponsorships should connect your members to parents and school community members. To that end, members should attend events that are sponsored by the local association via PEP.
• County association PEP proposals cannot be used to subsidize PEP events that should be the responsibility of a local association.
• When hosting large catered meals, it is NJEA’s expectation that your number of participants closely matches the estimate you apply for in your PEP project. Keep your budget in mind, and let NJEA know if you need more funds. Use caution when booking facilities and caterers; work to ensure that you promote your event properly so that you meet your estimated # of participants. If you need help promoting your PEP events, feel free to reach out to your NJEA UniServ field representative and/or call the PEP headquarters office for advice and suggestions.

Meal Guidelines

• Light meals (pizza, sandwiches, etc.)—up to $12 per person (includes tax and gratuity). This can include a meal for your members who are working on a school budget project (i.e. phone bank, etc.).
• Breakfast—up to $10 per person (includes tax and gratuity).
• Lunch—up to $15 per person (includes tax and gratuity).
• Dinner—catered meals for groups: up to $25 per person (includes tax and gratuity). For local association leaders to host one-on-one conversations with community leaders: up to $35 per person (local politicians excluded; includes tax and gratuity; please refer to the resources on njea.org for more details).
• Alcoholic beverages and bartender fees are not permitted.
• Anytime PEP is funding refreshments for your local association, table top signs of recognition are a must. Unless parents are specifically told about your generous sponsorship, they may assume that the school district provided the refreshments. Having your PRIDE banner present is not enough. The signs can read something to the effect of, “Refreshments paid for by the members of the __________ Education Association: your children’s teachers and education support professionals.” PEP Customizable Refreshment Sponsorship Sign

Other

• Each local association is granted a PEP budget based upon its total number of members.
• Ideally, your local association’s PEP budget should be split with 50% for marketing / branding / sponsorship activities, and 50% for community organizing activities. For 2023-24, a 65% / 35% split will suffice.
• NJEA staff serve as program administrators of PEP and may make changes to the program due to the apportionment of funds.

These guidelines were approved by the NJEA Public Relations Committee on April 28, 2016 and amended on Sept. 14, 2016.