Resources for Unit, Division, and Chapter Leaders
Resources, tools, and support to help your CEC component thrive.
Thank you for serving as a CEC volunteer leader! Whether you're leading a state or provincial Unit, a Division, a local or student Chapter, or a Subdivision, your leadership helps strengthen our community and advance the field of special education.
CEC is here to support you. Explore practical resources, tools, templates, and learning opportunities to help you lead effectively, engage members, strengthen your component, and make the most of your volunteer experience.
Resource Areas
Find foundational tools, guidance, and information to help you successfully lead and support your CEC component. These resources are relevant to leaders across all positions.
In this section:
- Getting Started with CEC
- Governance & Leadership Responsibilities
- Planning & Organization
- Policies & Compliance
- Technology & Administrative Tools
GETTING STARTED WITH CEC
| Resource Title | Description | Type | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofit Glossary | Plain-language definitions of the nonprofit terms every Unit and Division leader should know, with practical tips for your role. | Oct. 2026 | View | |
| Component Resources & Support | A comprehensive overview of the resources, tools, services, and support available through CEC to help components strengthen their operations, engage members, develop leaders, and advance their goals. | May 2026 | View | |
| Universal Resource Links | A curated collection of useful external links, websites, and tools to help CEC component leaders manage their responsibilities, strengthen operations, and support their members. | Nov. 2026 | View |
GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
| Resource Title | Description | Type | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiduciary Responsibilities | An overview of the fiduciary responsibilities of volunteer leaders, including the duties of care, loyalty, and obedience, with practical examples of how these responsibilities apply to everyday component leadership and decision-making. | Dec. 2025 | View | |
| Robert's Rules of Order | This link will take you to BoardEffect's website to review this cheat sheet! Consider referencing their resource when preparing for and facilitating your board meetings. | Jun. 2023 | View | |
| Legal Pitfalls | 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 CEO. | Video | Sep. 2022 | Watch |
PLANNING & ORGANIZATION
| Resource Title | Description | Type | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Calendar of Activities (Units), January-December Fiscal Year | A month-by-month guide to key activities, responsibilities, reporting deadlines, and important dates for CEC Units operating on a January–December fiscal year. Use this calendar to plan ahead, coordinate leadership activities, and keep your Unit on track throughout the year. | May 2026 | View | |
| Annual Calendar of Activities (Units), July-June Fiscal Year | A month-by-month guide to key activities, responsibilities, reporting deadlines, and important dates for CEC Units operating on a July–June fiscal year. Use this calendar to plan ahead, coordinate leadership activities, and keep your Unit on track throughout the year. | May 2026 | View | |
| Unit Tasks-at-a-Glance | A quick-reference guide outlining the key responsibilities and recurring tasks of CEC Unit leaders throughout the year. Use this resource to stay organized, track important deadlines, and ensure essential Unit activities and administrative responsibilities are completed. | May 2026 | View | |
| Unit Success Metrics Template | An easy-to-use Excel template for recording, tracking, and monitoring key Unit success metrics over time. Use this tool to assess progress toward goals, identify opportunities for improvement, and share a snapshot of your Unit's overall health and growth. | Excel | May 2026 | View |
POLICIES & COMPLIANCE
| Resource Title | Description | Type | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEC Policy Manual - Units Overview | A practical overview of the CEC Policy Manual provisions specific to Units, including their duties, privileges, governance requirements, membership standards, and operational expectations. Use this resource as a reference to understand the policies and requirements that guide CEC Units. | Dec. 2025 | View |
TECHNOLOGY & ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS
| Resource Title | Description | Type | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File Storage Structure | A visual example of how to organize and structure shared digital files in Google Drive, including suggested folders and subfolders for important CEC Unit documents. Use this guide to establish a consistent filing system that makes it easier for current and incoming leaders to store, locate, and share important information. | Dec. 2025 | View | |
| Creating Bookmark Folders | A step-by-step guide to organizing your browser bookmarks into folders, making it easier to save, organize, and quickly access frequently used CEC webpages and online resources. Includes instructions for creating bookmark folders in Google Chrome and a short instructional video. | Feb. 2026 | View |
Explore resources, tools, and information to help your component stay informed, engaged, and effective in public policy and advocacy.
| Resource Title | Description | Type | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General CEC Public Policy & Advocacy Link | Explore CEC's public policy and advocacy priorities, initiatives, and resources supporting the advancement of special education and the professionals and individuals with exceptionalities they serve. Visit CEC's advocacy webpage for updates, policy information, and opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts at the national level. | Link | Ongoing | View |
| Public Statement Disclosure Process for Divisions and Units | CEC values and seeks diverse and inclusive participation within the field of special education and acknowledges the expertise of each CEC Unit and Special Interest Division. In demonstrating that expertise, Divisions may occasionally issue public statements on policy or potential policy issues and must follow the CEC Public Statement Endorsement Process. | Link | Date | View |
| CAN Coordinator Role Description Template | Sample description from CEC based on standard role expectations. Components can use this template to craft their own descriptions or add to this template. | Word | June 2024 | Download |
Explore practical resources, tools, and strategies to help your component attract new members, strengthen member engagement, and build a sustainable membership base.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
| Resource Title | Description | Type | Last Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member Report Links | Direct links to CEC membership reports for Units and Divisions, providing convenient access to current membership information and data to help component leaders stay informed about their membership. | Link | Ongoing | Units Divisions |
| Member Types and Codes | A quick-reference guide outlining the different CEC membership types and their corresponding codes. Use this resource to understand membership classifications and identify the appropriate codes when reviewing member records, processing transactions, or working with membership reports. | Aug. 2025 | View | |
| Membership Reports Quick Reference Guide | An easy-to-use reference guide describing the available CEC membership report options and what information each report provides. Use this guide to identify the most appropriate report for your needs and quickly navigate the available membership reporting tools. | Type | Date | Download |
Know Your Component Type
What is a component? A component is any membership-based group within the larger organization. CEC has four main component types: state/provincial units, special interest divisions, local/student chapters and subdivisions. These four component types vary in their operations, yet share many similarities; as a result, there are many resources, tools and best practices that are shared by all of these groups and some that are completely unique to the component type. Learn more about the component types below.
- Units: State and provincial organizations that connect CEC members within a geographic area.
- Divisions: Professional interest groups that bring together members around a particular area of special education, role, or practice.
- Chapters: Local or student-based groups that connect members within a geographic community or college/university.
- Subdivisions: State or provincial groups affiliated with an existing Division.
Leadership CEC
Leadership CEC is an experience-based program designed to support new or emerging unit/division leaders in gaining a deeper understanding of the CEC organization, CEC governance, and unit/division leadership functions and competencies.
Help Make These Resources Better
Have an idea for a resource that would help your component? Found a useful tool or best practice you'd like to share with other CEC leaders? We'd love to hear from you.
Please contact the following CEC staff members for the following:
Membership Recruitment/Retention resources: Gennith Johnson, Chief Engagement Officer
For Divisions: Brannan Meyers, Director, Component Services
For Units: Will Webber, Senior Manager, Component Services
For Local & Student Chapters: Brannan Meyers, Director, Component Services
Website resources/support: Web Services/Support Staff ([email protected])
General Contact: [email protected]
Your CEC Staff Partners
You don't have to navigate component leadership alone. CEC staff are available to answer questions, connect you with resources, and help you work through challenges.
Whether you're looking for guidance on membership, governance, programming, communications, or general component operations, we're here to partner with you in your component's success.
Have a question or need support? Contact the CEC Component Services team.
| Additional Questions? Contact Our Staff | |
|---|---|
| Brannan Meyers, CAE (she/her/hers) Director, Component Services [email protected] |
| Will Webber, CAE, CVA (he/him/his) Senior Manager, Component Services [email protected] |