Become a Volunteer
Serve on a CEC Committee
Volunteering to serve on a committee is a wonderful way to contribute to the CEC community and the field, as well as reap personal and professional benefits.
Apply to Serve a CEC Committee
Applying for a position on a CEC committee is a meaningful opportunity to contribute your expertise and passion to advancing the field of special education. Committee service allows you to help shape CEC’s initiatives while building valuable professional connections.
Applications for 3-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026, are being accepted for the following committees:
- Diversity
- Finance and Audit
- Honors
- Policy Steering
- Professional Standards and Practice
- Publications
- Yes I Can Awards
Ready to apply? Get started here.
If you don’t want to apply for a committee, check out other ways to volunteer below.
Volunteer Square
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) would not exist without the hundreds of volunteers that power our engines every day. Every volunteer is valued, enriches the organization, makes us more diverse and inclusive, and helps us advance our mission.
CEC has a variety of ways for members to get involved locally and nationally, and through short- and long-term projects. Read more about volunteer opportunities below, then complete your volunteer profile. We will make your profile available to Units and Divisions so they contact you when projects align with your interests and skills.
Unit, Division, CEC International Opportunities
CEC is organized with several components that all need volunteers:
- Units – CEC has units in most U.S. states and Canadian provinces. These local organizations coordinate training and networking opportunities, and each has its own leadership board. Volunteering with your Unit is an easy way to make connections and put your skills to use making an impact in your very own backyard.
- Divisions – There are 18 special interest Divisions at CEC, each geared toward an area of work or role within special education. These are international organizations affiliated within CEC and are perfect for growing your skills with like-minded members. Divisions require many volunteers for both short- and long-term opportunities.
- CEC International – CEC is led by a Board of Directors, many of whom have made their way through the ranks of Division and Unit leaders. However, helping keep CEC running are an abundance of short- and long-term volunteers who may spend a couple of hours on a project, such as reviewing proposals for a convention, or several hours per month serving on a committee or fulfilling a larger role.
“I chose to volunteer with CEC to extend my contributions beyond the classroom, focusing on supporting exceptional students. This opportunity has been enriching, it allows me to collaborate with respected professionals and gain insights that enhance my professional growth. Volunteering not only benefits my practice but also significantly impacts my career, offering fulfilling ways to use my skills for a meaningful cause. I encourage others to volunteer to experience this growth and impact.”
Acer Pitas-Pilo
Yes I Can Committee
Board of Directors
The Board is the sole governing body of CEC and has the authority to determine annually the number of board members necessary to fulfill the mission of the organization. Applications are accepted annually (typically beginning in mid-March).
Committees
CEC has two types of committees: standing and advisory. Applications for committees are accepted at various times throughout the year based on the committee’s operating cycle.
Workgroups
Workgroups are established as needed by the Board of Directors to complete a specific charge within a designated period of time. Workgroup members have knowledge, experience, and expertise in a particular area of strategic importance to CEC.
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"CEC volunteer opportunities are not only GREAT for a resume, but they create a personal sense of achievement for the field through your work. Volunteering for an organization that upholds, prioritizes and promotes its values to ensure that educators from around the country have the resources they need to make an impact on a local level with learners has made an incredible impact on my life and career. What better way to give back and shape the future of this tremendous organization?"
Victor M. Torres, III
Moderate-Intensive Intervention Specialist
CEC Publications Committee Co-Chair
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“Volunteering has opened me up to the wider world of special education outside of the classroom. In my five years as a CEC member and volunteer, I have learned so much about more about the field, expanded my professional network and career options, and met the most amazing teachers who have helped shaped the work I do today. Because of this, I have a reinvigorated appreciation and love for special education and the exceptional students we serve.”
Belkis Choiseul-Praslin
Student and Early Career Committee Member
Read more from Belkis