Getting Involved in Ontario CEC
The Ontario Council for Exceptional Children (Ontario CEC) exists because of our volunteers. Ontario CEC includes several local chapters in five regions across the province which are run by volunteer leaders; they organize direct service and professional development opportunities for our Special Education community. Additionally, Ontario CEC has 3 active Subdivisions and general members not affiliated with a Chapter or Subdivision.
Award events run by volunteers, recognize our teachers, educational leaders, paraprofessionals, businesses, partners, and parents who are making a difference in their schools and communities. Many children and youth are celebrated each year for their “Yes I Can” attitudes and accomplishments at these events. This recognition would not happen without the local chapter executives and committees made up of members who volunteer.
Provincially, our volunteer Board of Directors and committee members advocate for our exceptional community with partners such as the Ministry of Education, other Ministries, and the Ontario College of Teachers. These provincial volunteers also help to provide current, research driven professional development opportunities in organizing our annual Ontario CEC Special Education Conference, webinars, as well as researching useful links and resources to post on our website and social media platforms.
Every volunteer is valued, enriching our organization, making us more diverse and inclusive. They assist us to fulfill our Vision and Mission as the Ontario CEC.
Do you want to expand your experience out of the classroom? Deepen your personal sense of achievement? Make an impact? Give back? Help shape the future of our profession? Then contact us to share your skills and knowledge as a volunteer!
Contact:
Donna Zuccato
Past President
Ontario CEC Standing Committees
Accreditation and Membership Committee Purpose:
To develop strategies and incentives to assist local chapters and subdivisions with membership recruitment, growth, and retention. To apply strategies to grow our Ontario wide membership through recruitment and retention.
Advocacy and Professional Standards Committee Purpose:
To study and comment on the implications of government legislation, regulations, and policies with respect to individuals with exceptionalities and those involved in the support and services of these individuals; additionally, to develop position papers responsive to critical issues within the field of special education. This committee is necessary to raise awareness of the need for excellence in qualifications, preparation, and on-going in-service of educators and administrators involved in the education of individuals with exceptionalities.
Communications Committee Purpose:
To propose and undertake activities to foster effective communication within the Ontario CEC and International CEC. To have a role in maintaining and raising the visibility of CEC in the eyes of its members, the education community, parents, and the public in general. To promote our Vision and Mission through social media, and to assist in keeping our Ontario CEC website current.
Conference Committee Purpose:
To develop and recommend policies and regulations pertaining to the operation of the annual Ontario CEC Conference and to convey these policies and regulations to the Ontario CEC Board of Directors. To plan and execute the annual Ontario CEC Conference.
Student Activities Committee Purpose:
To further the aims and objectives of Ontario CEC through the provision of support to the Ontario CEC Student Chapter. To promote the development of the Ontario CEC Student Chapter in Ontario.