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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 Convention & Expo, and announcements of events and opportunities of interest to CEC-PD members. Pioneers Press is published three times a year.

CEC Annual Convention & Expo

Each year at the CEC Annual Convention & 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 a period of at least twenty (20) years or is a Past President 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.