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CEC Pioneers Division (CEC-PD)

Purpose and Goals 

The CEC Pioneers (CEC-PD) is the official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) that works to retain and benefit from the leadership and expertise of long-term CEC members. The goals of CEC-PD include:

• Serving the general community by increasing awareness of the educational needs of children with disabilities and/or who are gifted, and the services available to them.
• Serving the professional community by organizing volunteers willing to donate time, effort, and expertise to activities that promote the education and welfare of exceptional children.
• Supporting the activities, policies, and procedures of CEC and the other CEC divisions.

CEC Pioneer Activities

CEC-PD members engage in a variety of valuable volunteer activities to advance the field of special education. These include:

• Public speaking on topics that heighten awareness of the needs of special students.
• Supporting CEC's programs and activities at all levels.
• Facilitating the CEC Children and Youth Action Network (CAN).
• Supporting agencies and organizations contributing to the welfare of exceptional children and youth.
• Coordinating the selection and presentation of The Romaine Mackie Leadership Award.
• Establishing a Pioneer Award program for recognizing CEC members of long standing who have made notable contributions.
• Assisting CEC members nearing retirement with information on activities and services such as group insurance programs, travel opportunities, investments, and leisure activities.
• Publishing the Division newsletter, the Pioneers Press.

Pioneers Press Newsletter

The Pioneers Press newsletter, exclusively for CEC-PD members, includes information about the division's activities, updates on CEC governance and political action issues, news about division members, plans for the division as part of the CEC Annual International Convention and Expo, and announcements of events and opportunities of interest to CEC-PD members. Pioneers Press is published three times a year.

CEC Annual Convention and Expo

Each year at the CEC Annual Convention and Expo, the Pioneers sponsor a number of sessions and activities. The annual Showcase session highlights CEC-PD members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of special education and the Council for Exceptional Children. Other sessions throughout the convention week feature topics of interest to CEC-PD members. At the annual dinner, Pioneers have the opportunity to visit with old and new friends.

CEC Pioneers Subdivisions

CEC-PD members in several states and provinces have organized subdivisions that conduct member activities of local interest. Currently, there are CEC-PD subdivisions in:

• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Ontario
• Pennsylvania

CEC-PD strongly encourages new subdivisions, and anyone interested in organizing one should contact the Coordinator of Division Services at CEC Headquarters.

Membership Requirements

CEC-PD membership is open to anyone who has been a member of CEC for 20 years or more, as well as to retired members, life members, and past presidents of CEC. Currently, Pioneers range in age from 40 to over 90 years!

Join Today!

CEC-PD membership is an exciting way to continue your involvement with and support of special education. To join, contact CEC's Constituent Services Center toll free at (888) 232-7733.