National Organization

Ad Hoc Committee - A committee that is formed for a specific purpose with a life-span of one year unless otherwise designated.

Association - All student members within a state or province.

Board of Directors (BOD) - The administrative, general legislative, and policy making body of the Council.

Canadian CEC (CCEC) - The organization of Canadian CEC members with its own Executive Committee, Board, and committees overseeing the activities of CEC in Canada.

CEC - The Council for Exceptional Children, a professional organization of more than 50,000 persons interested in the education of individuals with exceptionalities.

CEC Today - CEC newsletter. Provides news and information on issues, events, and topics of interest to members.

Chapter - An organized group of members within a state or province which has been officially recognized by the state or province.

Charter - A document issued by International CEC after a unit has presented evidence of meeting the minimum membership, program, and organizational requirements established by CEC for two consecutive years. CEC issues charters to state and provincial units and international divisions.

Division - A special interest segment of CEC's structure with regard to a particular exceptionality or phase of special education. There are 17 divisions:

• CASE - Council of Administrators of Special Education
• CCBD - Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders
• CEC - DR - Division for Research
• CEC - PD - Pioneers Division
• CEDS - Council for Educational Diagnostic Services
• DCDD - Division for Communicative Disabilities and Deafness
• DCDT - Division on Career Development and Transition
• DDD - Division on Developmental Disabilities
• DDEL - Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners
• DEC - Division for Early Childhood
• DISES - Division of International Special Education and Services
• DLD - Division for Learning Disabilities
• DPHD - Division for Physical and Health Disabilities
• DVI - Division on Visual Impairments
• TAG - The Association for the Gifted
• TAM - Technology and Media Division
• TED - Teacher Education Division

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Exceptional Children (EC) - CEC's journal of original research on the education and development of children with exceptionalities.

Fiscal Year - The fiscal year for CEC is January 1-December 1. Units determine their own fiscal year. This is the period for which budgets are made, etc. It usually coincides with the term of office.

Headquarters - The building and staff at 1110 N. Glebe Road, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-5704, voice 800/224-6830, TTY 866/915-5000, fax 703/715-8412.

Membership Categories - CEC's three membership categories are:

• Professional Member - Individuals actively engaged in professional work related to or interested in the education of children and youth with exceptionalities.
• Student Member - A person enrolled in the Council who is a full-time student during the academic year as defined by an accredited college or university; or a person enrolled in the Council who is a part-time student not engaged in full-time employment as a certified professional in the field of education.
• Associate Member - Parents, family members, and paraprofessionals. Associate members cannot vote nor hold office, and do not receive the professional journal Exceptional Children.

Nominations Committee - The committee which nominates members of the Board of Directors, with the exception of the External Member, and develops and coordinates various leadership and mentoring opportunities for the Council.

Representative - The state, province, division, or Student CEC member selected to represent that unit in the Representative Assembly.

Representative Assembly - The advising body of the Council which also has the responsibility of electing members of the Nominations Committee and taking action on amendments and policy changes that affect the privileges of units.

Sponsor - An individual CEC member or unit which makes a financial contribution toward special projects that help to achieve the goals of CEC. The three sponsor categories are: Patron Sponsor (individual): $100 - $499, Sustaining Sponsor (individual): $500 or more, Unit Sponsor: $500 or more.

Standing Committee - A committee, usually discussed in the unit bylaws, which continues, year after year.

State/Provincial Unit - An organization of all CEC members (professional, student, and associate) within a state or province.

Subdivision - An organized group of division members within a state or province which has been officially recognized by its international division.

Task Force - A group appointed by the president or chair of a committee, charged with a particular task, and terminated on completion.

TEACHING Exceptional Children (TEC) - CEC's journal featuring articles of a practical nature to teach and administer programs for children with disabilities and/or who are gifted.

Term of Office - The term served by CEC officers is currently July 1-June 30, but will be transitioned in 2003 to January 1-December 31. Units determine their own term of office. This is the administrative term served by officers. It usually coincides with the fiscal year.

Unified Membership - In order to be a member of any state or provincial unit, chapter, international division, or subdivision, one must first be a member of CEC. Additionally, in the case of subdivisions, one must first be a member of both CEC and that division.

Unit - A state or provincial unit or division of the Council.

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