Component Fundamentals

CEC Support (Unit Town Hall PowerPoint)

Previously used to facilitate the 2022 Unit Town Hall, this PPT includes all details regarding staff support and resources for components. Topics covered include: new member onboarding basics, volunteer recruitment, Volunteer Square, and repackaging CEC resources for your members.

Unit Bylaws Template

Sample template for Units. Use this when reviewing your bylaws to see the basic/standard outline provided by CEC. This is a great resource to reference if/when your Unit's bylaws are hindering your operations, growth, or have become increasingly lengthy and over detailed.

CEC's Bylaws

Review the Council for Exceptional Children's bylaws here. 

Public Statement Disclaimer Process for Divisions and Units

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) values and seeks diverse and inclusive participation within the field of special education and acknowledges the expertise of each CEC special interest division. In demonstrating that expertise, divisions may occasionally issue public statements on policy or potential policy issues and must follow the CEC Endorsement Process.

Q3 Component Resources Review Unit Town Hall

This October 2024 Town Hall reviews the changes to the Component Resources webpage on CEC's website. This PPT can be used by component leaders looking to introduce or re-introduce component volunteers to CEC-provided resources, including templates, guides, and more. This can also be reviewed by new component volunteers to aid in their acclimation to their role(s). 

Representative Assembly FAQ

Representative Assembly (RA) FAQ document covering the RA's responsibilities, composition, qualifications, and operations. 

Unit Advancement Program Description and Agreement

Learn more about the staff support and program structure here.

Unit Performance Matrix

Use this Matrix to assess the health and performance of your Unit. A completed assessment is required when applying to the UAP, but may also be helpful in identifying how your Unit "stacks up" and where your board should consider focusing on adopting best practices, setting goals, etc.

Apply to Join the UAP

Units can apply here to be considered for UAP participation.

CEC Support (Unit Town Hall PowerPoint)

Previously used to facilitate the 2022 Unit Town Hall, this PPT includes all details regarding staff support and resources for components. Topics covered include: new member onboarding basics, volunteer recruitment, Volunteer Square, and repackaging CEC resources for your members.

Legal Pitfalls - Fiduciary Responsibility and Governing Documents Overview

This training video outlines legal pitfalls in association leadership. This is not legal advice, rather it is a compilation of advice based on successful best practices and experience from Chad Rummel, CEC Executive Director.

Activate Your Membership - Leverage CEC's offerings and resources

This PPT is focused on supporting members and how you, as a leader in a component, should promote and expose members to existing benefits and resources, adapt or repurpose to meet your member needs, and be aware of and promote as member benefits.

Board Meeting Basics

Originating from the 2023 Leadership Institute, this document covers all "basics" of board meetings! Topics covered include best practices, minutes, officer reports, improving meetings, consent agendas & how it can help your component, agenda outline, motions/voting related to Roberts Rules, and more!

Facilitating and Nurturing the Volunteer Experience PPT (LI 2024)

The volunteer experience is often “left out” when we discuss the member experience—why is that? CEC’s board of directors, component leaders, and committee members are fully comprised of members of the organization… Collectively, we value our individual membership and volunteer experiences, strive to craft and curate valuable membership experiences for our members, and care deeply about the ways CEC and its components contribute to the personal and professional development of its members. Shouldn’t the volunteer experience your component provides be as mindfully crafted as the other engagement experiences you provide?        Leverage this PPT presentation from the 2024 Leadership Institute to explore the importance of volunteer stewardship, what your board should learn/know about its volunteers, and the ""pillars"" of volunteer stewardship to strengthen your volunteer recruitment AND retention efforts.

RACI Chart Template

RACI charts help to support operations and task/project management efforts by detailing who is is responsible for "what." This template can be used to clarify processes for communication and decision-making, and provide structure to roles and responsibilities. Leveraging this tool and updating it regularly in your own component's files can ensure volunteers have a guide to reference throughout their term and can be a useful reference guide for new board members and volunteers.

The RACI acronym stands for: 

• Responsible: The person who is assigned the task and must complete it within the agreed-upon parameters and deadline 
• Accountable: The person who ensures that the responsible person completes the task 
• Consulted: The person who provides information, expertise, and opinion to help complete the task 
• Informed: The person who needs to be kept in the loop about the task