Call for Community of Practice Facilitator: Early Intervention Community of Practice
- Division for Early Childhood (DEC)
- Nov 14, 2024
- 3 min read
The DEC Early Intervention Community of Practice (EI CoP) is recruiting a new co-facilitator to assist existing facilitator, Lorelei Pisha, in her duties beginning in January 2025. This is an opportunity for existing DEC EI CoP members to level up their leadership and help ensure the sustainability of the CoP through future leadership transitions.
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.). Applicants should be/become knowledgeable about the DEC Mission, Vision, Policies, and Racial Equity Point of View. Co-Facilitators will be required to be current DEC members or to join DEC if they have not already.
Please complete this form to indicate your interest in co-facilitating the EI CoP by Monday December 2 at, 5 PM Eastern Time. The selected co-facilitator will be contacted after the existing facilitators have an opportunity to review applications with the DEC CoP Development Committee and the Executive Office. The selected CoP co-facilitator can anticipate a start date in their new role in January 2025.
Are you interested in becoming a EI CoP Co-Facilitator, but have some questions before applying? We have scheduled a 30-minute Q&A to answer any questions that you may have about the role and responsibilities. If interested, please join us on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 from 2:30 to 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Register here.
What is the Early Intervention Community of Practice (EI CoP)?
The EI CoP is a place where voices can be heard, and members can gain new insights about working with families of infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or disabilities. This is the place to pose questions, share ideas, problem solve, and discuss any early intervention topics of interest to our members. Members can also find resources specific to their interests and find support to enhance the work they do in early intervention.
CoP Co-Facilitator Activities
Activities co-facilitators may assist with include:
1) ongoing outreach and awareness
2) Monthly meetings to plan/prepare for future EI CoP activities,
3) identification, creation and sharing of [topic] related resources, and
4) planning/preparing for future web conversations and conference presentations, etc.
CoP Facilitator Qualifications and Expectations
Co-facilitators of the EI CoP:
must understand the shared interests/practices of the groups’ membership;
should bring a diverse and unique perspective, knowledge, and/or skills to the CoP and have good ideas about how to engage and support members as a facilitator (e.g. multifaceted ways to connect/participate, development of subgroups, co-creating tools/resources, etc.);
must be able to commit a minimum of 2 volunteer hours each month to sustain the level of activity/involvement of members for two to three years; and
should not currently hold (or anticipate holding) a leadership position elsewhere in DEC.
Benefits of Becoming a CoP Co-Facilitator
Level up your leadership and gain new knowledge, skills, and a network of support
Collaborate with fellow professional members, family members, and partnering communities of practice, committees, or organizations who share your interests
Receive guidance and support from the DEC CoP Development Committee and participate in a CoP for DEC CoP facilitators who learn with/from one another
Serve in an advisory capacity to an international professional organization as you share CoP updates and relay priorities and needs expressed by community members
Grow in your own ability to lead and influence change and advocacy efforts
Receive discounted access to DEC Professional Development Opportunities
Discounted registration for DEC’s Annual International Conference on Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families - 50% off
Discounted registration for DEC Virtual Institutes - 50% off
Discounted access to DEC live and recorded webinars (e.g. DEC Learning Decks) (100% off)
What is a DEC Community of Practice?
DEC Communities of Practice are groups of professionals and families consisting of DEC members and nonmembers. Communities of Practice are formed around specific interest and practice areas to foster connections, further knowledge, and engage in conversations and activities around a common interest. Communities of Practice are a critical component of the DEC Mission.
CoP Co-Facilitators and CoP Members are not considered members of the DEC Executive Board.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact Lorelei Pisha (pishale@vcu.edu) and or Tammy Wallin (wallint@ku.edu).
We also welcome you to ask questions during the scheduled 30-minute live Q&A. If interested, please join us on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 from 2:30pm to 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Register here.
