1. Council for Exceptional Children
St. John’s University, Queens Campus
For National CEC:
NY CEC Chapter:
For SJU CEC:

2. The Council for Exceptional Children is an international community of professionals who are the voice and vision of special and gifted education.
CEC's mission is to improve, through excellence and advocacy, the education and quality of life for children and youth with exceptionalities and to enhance engagement of their families.

3. The Council for Exceptional Children is a premier education organization, internationally renowned for its expertise and leadership, working collaboratively with strategic partners to ensure that children and youth with exceptionalities are valued and full participating members of society.
As a diverse and vibrant professional community, CEC is a trusted voice in shaping education practice and policy.

4. Dignity and worth of all individuals.
Diversity and inclusiveness.
Advocacy and social justice.
Professional excellence, integrity, and accountability.
Full participation in society.
Effective individualized education.
Family engagement.
Collaboration and community.
Responsibility to members.

5. Upcoming Events Meet & Greet – October 16th at 4:30pm
CIDA Fall Art Festival – October 13th
- Monthly CEC meetings (determined by members)
Host Speakers
Movie Screenings
Storm Out Bullying
Fundraisers (e.g., bake sale)
Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign
Autism Awareness Month
Reel Abilities Film Festival

6. Other Events and Opportunities
Build connections through participation in events with local communities, schools, and organizations
Create opportunities

7. St. John’s School of Education
CEC at St. John’s
St. John’s School of Education
Student lead organization
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Maria P. Mello
Special Education Faculty: Dr. Ishita Khemka, Dr. Rebecca Louick, & Dr. Sunny McDevitt

8. Conference Opportunities
2018 NYS CEC Conference
October 26-27, 2018 in Albany

9. CEC Convention 2019

10. Go to the website: www.cec.sped.org/Membership
Click the “Membership” tab at the top of the screen.
Click the “New CEC Member-Join CEC now” link at the bottom of the page.
You can read through the membership page, or click on the right hand side, “Join now” and this will bring you to the CEC application.

11. Begin to fill out the application.
When you come to the section marked “unit” click NY
For the section marked “Chapter” click “St. John’s University Chapter****This is an important step! If you do not choose St. John’s University, our records will not show that you have become a member!
Continue with the application, as well as the payment process. $65 but with 20% student discount it is $52 for Basic
If you have any questions or problems, please contact Dr. Maria P. Mello –

12. THERE ARE LEADERSHIP POSTIONS AVAILABLE President Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
**If you are interested, please see our CEC team
to collect more information!

13. Join CEC and get the professional development, resources and peer-to-peer support you need to meet today's new challenges in special and gifted education with confidence and make a difference for children and youth with disabilities and gifts and talents.
Cutting-Edge Journals
TEACHING Exceptional Children — actionable and useful articles to teach and administer programs for children with disabilities and/or gifts and talents (6 issues/year).
Exceptional Children — original research on the education and development of children with disabilities and/or gifts and talents in practical terms that you can bring into your classroom (4 issues/year).

14. Professional Development Resources
Join CEC and get the professional development, resources and peer-to-peer support you need to meet today's new challenges in special and gifted education with confidence and make a difference for children and youth with disabilities and gifts and talents.
CEC's continuing education programs, including the CEC Annual Convention & Expo, provide access to the most current information and resources in special education. 
Books and Resources
CEC's publications cover the entire agenda of social, legal and educational issues of children with exceptionalities. Members receive up to a 30% discount!

15. Advocacy and Support
CEC advocates for the rights of children and youth with exceptionalities, as well as the special needs of the educators who serve them. CEC is a major voice in halls of Congress, the White House and the U.S. Department of Education. No other organization is more active — or more effective.
Special Interest Divisions
Join one or more of the 17 CEC special interest divisions to tailor your participation to your particular area(s) of expertise. Each division publishes journals and newsletters, sponsors professional development activities, facilitates advocacy initiatives on issues that directly affect your practice and interests, and provides unique networking opportunities to bring you closer with experts and your professional peers.
Each division has their own conference
DADD
DCDT
DISES

16. Peer Networking and Leadership Opportunities
CEC provides a wide range of opportunities for members to serve in leadership positions at the local, state/provincial and international levels with 56 state and provincial units and 17 special-interest divisions.
CEC's new, online CECommunity provides member with the ability to connect directly with your peers and colleagues around the world.
CEC Career Center
Register your resume, view special and gifted
education job postings, and apply for jobs —
all on CEC's online job board, the only job
board devoted exclusively to special
and gifted education.
Savings on Insurance
CEC members are eligible for favorable group pricing on term life, home & auto and professional liability insurance plans from leading insurance carriers through the CEC Member Insurance Program. See complete details and apply online, or call

17. Are you ready for the future?
SO WHY JOIN CEC?
Would you like to gain experience working with individuals who have different special needs?
Do you want to be prepared to enter the demanding field of special education?
Are you ready for the future?

18. CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: http://cecatsju.weebly.com
Contact:
Dr. Maria P. Mello at