Call for DECIDE Volunteers: Co-Chair and Mentoring Initiative Chair

Open: July 29th, 2024 - September 6th, 2024

The Division for Early Childhood Consortium for Innovations in Doctoral Excellence (DECIDE) is currently recruiting a DECIDE Co-Chair and a Mentoring Initiative Chair, two leadership volunteer opportunities in the DECIDE Community of Practice.

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. Applicants should be knowledgeable about the DEC Mission and Policies (including the Priority Issues Agenda), and Racial Equity Point of View. Individuals will be required to be current DEC members or to join DEC as leaders of this Community of Practice.

What is DECIDE?

The Division for Early Childhood Consortium for Innovations in Doctoral Excellence (DECIDE) is a DEC Initiative that strives to enhance the quality of doctoral education for DEC’s future leaders through the use of innovative approaches to learning. Doctoral student members of DECIDE are from disciplines related to early childhood intervention and special education. For a doctoral student to benefit from DECIDE, they must be a DEC member or have a faculty advisor who is a DEC member. Higher education faculty, researchers, and policy/advocacy members of DECIDE can have a role in the preparation of doctoral students as a contributor to DECIDE.

DECIDE seeks to engage higher education faculty, researchers, policymakers, and early childhood special education advocates and current doctoral students in a reciprocal relationship that provides doctoral students with support and mentorship while offering participating leaders in the field an opportunity to collaborate with future leaders, thereby creating a meaningful community of practice. Together, professionals and students work together to help shape the future of the fields of early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE).

DECIDE student members are working together to:

• Participate in webinars hosted by DECIDE on topics of interest to the students.
  

• Have the opportunity to take doctoral-level courses specific to early intervention/early childhood special education via distance learning at universities represented among DECIDE faculty.

• Meet face-to-face at regional gatherings as well as the annual DEC conference.

• Obtain “virtual internships” that offer preparation for leadership positions in the EI/ECSE community.

• Identify and capitalize on opportunities for doctoral students to engage in research with members of DEC who have a research focus.
  

DECIDE Co-Chair Recruitment

DECIDE is looking for a co-chair for 2024-2026. The Co-Chair will work with the current chair to engage in the following activities:

• leading monthly business meetings and writing groups

• facilitating conference sessions

• attending CoP Facilitator & Committee Chair meetings

The Co-Chair will serve in the role for one year and then take over the Chair position the following year. The Co-Chair must be a DEC member in good standing when they begin their volunteer term. It is preferred that they have previously or currently participate in DECIDE. The role of the Co-Chair is considered a volunteer position and is not considered a member of the DEC Executive Board.

Submit your application here by Friday, September 6th, 2024, 11:59 PM Eastern Time for consideration.

What is the DECIDE Mentoring Initiative?

The DECIDE Mentoring program facilitates meaningful learning and networking experiences for doctoral students by cultivating collaborative relationships with higher education faculty, researchers, and/or other professionals in the field of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE).

DECIDE Mentoring Initiative Chair Recruitment

DECIDE is also looking for a Mentoring Initiative Chair for DECIDE for 2024-2026. The Mentoring Initiative Chair will work with the DECIDE chair to engage in the following activities:

• participating in monthly business meetings

• matching and supporting mentors/mentees

• supporting the conference sessions

Submit your application here by Friday, September 6th, 2024, 11:59 PM Eastern Time for consideration.

Benefits of Becoming DECIDE Co-Chair

• Collaborate with fellow professional members, family members, and partnering committees, communities of practice and organizations

• Learn with and from others who are serving in an advisory capacity to an international organization

• Grow in your own ability to lead and influence change and advocacy efforts

• Receive a discount for DEC conference registration (if/when available)

Questions?

Please contact the current DECIDE Chair Samantha Riggleman, srigglem@sju.edu.