Call for DEC International Committee New Members

The DEC International Committee is recruiting 3 new members. We invite you to take this opportunity to become an engaged and active leader within DEC!

Members representative of the diversity of DEC membership are encouraged to apply, including race, ethnicity, culture, language, dialect, age, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion/spirituality, and national origin. We seek representation of geography, organizations, agencies, universities, and experience. We seek members representing all member categories (practitioners, family members, higher education faculty, etc.).

What is the DEC International Committee?

The DEC International Committee aims to highlight international perspectives on early intervention/early childhood special education (EI/ECSE), engage all interested parties in international EI/ECSE and provide a platform for networking and collaboration. The Committee also aims to expand international representation in the membership, as well as DEC’s presence at the global level.

The International Committee functions as a necessary and significant arm of the DEC Executive Office. DEC’s Committees are officially recognized bodies comprised of DEC members that are supported by the DEC Executive Office and are liaised by members of the DEC Executive Board. DEC Committees embrace and support the division’s formal positions and proactively participate in developing, maintaining, and evolving strategies and initiatives central to supporting DEC’s mission and end policies.

International Committee Composition

The DEC International Committee is made up of any DEC members in good standing who apply to serve. The International Committee members serve different roles and responsibilities in the field of EI/ECSE. Members volunteer their time and are not considered members of the DEC Executive Board.

Example activities of the International Committee:

• Creates a professional meetings space for students, researchers, faculty, and other important stakeholders who are interested in international perspectives in EI/ECSE

• Collaborates with all DEC committees on issues regarding international perspectives on EI/ECSE

• Connects with other professional organizations’ sub-groups focusing on international EI/ECSE activities

• Organizes and facilitates meetings for DEC members in partnership with DEC Executive Office

• Co-develops activities & initiatives with committee members to present study findings at the national DEC Conference and/or peer-reviewed journals

• Nurtures relationships with and between researchers, faculty, practitioners, and important stakeholders working on international perspectives in EI/ECSE, facilitates interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration and learning globally, and enhances evidence-based best practices.

Member Qualifications and Expectations

• Must be a DEC member in good standing

• Have a significant interest in topics of international perspectives in EI/ECSE

• Willing to serve a two to three-year term with possible reappointment

• Attend and contribute to project work and team conference calls

• Make the necessary time commitment (approximately 6-8 hours per month)

If interested, please apply by Friday, September 15th, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern Time for consideration. Complete the application here.

Questions regarding the application can be directed to Ching-I Chen (cchen46@kent.edu), James Lee (james153@uw.edu) or Susan Shapiro (susan.shapiro16@touro.edu).