For the first time in its 110 years, the National PTA will soon be headed up by -- a man.

That may come as a surprise to some, as it's an organization that often conjures up images of bake sales or a gaggle of women sitting around drinking tea and talking about their children's schools.

But Chuck Saylors' recent election as president-elect of the National PTA, a position he will hold for two years prior to being installed as the group's president, may come as a surprise to some.

Yet his election illustrates that men are more and more becoming part of an organization originally called the National Congress of Mothers.

It's not only a national trend, but a local one as well.

When Murrieta resident Ellen Larson first delved into PTA work 23 years ago, she said she can recall a few men being involved, but not many. That's changed over the last two decades, she said.

"Men didn't always see that that was a possibility for them," she said. "I think it's a lot better now just because there are more opportunities. The PTA has opened up and embraced programs that dads feel more comfortable with, the kinds of programs that fathers have developed on their own."

The National PTA works with its local groups to develop programs and events that appeal to men, such as father-daughter dances and outings to sporting events, said spokesman James Martinez.

The national group is continuing to encourage father involvement every year by asking local PTAs to add even more programs and events for fathers, he said.

Of the national group's nearly 6.5 million members, about 1 million are men, Martinez said.

"I wouldn't say dramatically, but incrementally, in the past five years, not only has male membership increased, but also male leadership (of school and countywide PTAs)," he said.

On a local level that's also true, said Tammie Blackmore, vice president of the countywide PTA representing the 23 school districts within Riverside County.

"We have several PTAs where the men are presidents, and we are proud of that," she said.

She said she believes the growth in male membership can be traced to the fact that not only are men becoming more aware of the PTA role, which is really about getting involved and active in supporting children's education, but also that the invitation has been extended more clearly to men.

"We've just been encouraging people to get involved regardless of their time frame," she said, referring to the fact that many fathers often work long hours or late shifts.

Larson, who served as a state PTA membership chairwoman from 1999 to 2001, said that during her time in that position there was a purposeful effort not only to look at ways to involve more fathers, but also brothers, uncles and grandfathers.

"We wanted to give men something to do that they are comfortable with," she said of those efforts.

Being active in the PTA doesn't mean giving up your life, said several local men. Sometimes it's a matter of giving a few hours here and there, they said. Some dads have helped with fixer-upper projects or have tackled computer problems. Others do the more mainstream stuff.

For Joe Avila, treasurer of Great Oak High School's PTA, it's about being involved with his kids.

"It's a really good time," he said. "You get to talk about things that are going to benefit your own children, and you get a sense of belonging."

Gary Dizon, president of the Erle Stanley Gardner Middle School PTA, said sometimes men's schedules can be hard to work around, but for him, his involvement is very important as it allows him to also keep an eye on who his children hang out with, and gives him easier access to their teachers.

"I hope a lot more dads do get involved," he said. "I just think a lot of fathers have a hard time grasping it's not for women only -- it's for all parents."

Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.