This month, NCSS is preparing its annual call for expertise for members to apply to serve on an Operations Committee. NCSS supports seven current Operations Committees and also appoints interested members to its Fund for the Advancement of Social Studies Education (FASSE) governing board. NCSS Operations Committees play a vital role in the growth of our association and the health of our profession. Each committee carries out many of the business and organizational functions of our association, based on the goals and values set forth by our Board of Directors. Whether you are a new or veteran member, you can play an important role in guiding the direction of our work through years to come by actively serving on a committee. Committee service is often an important first step in considering a larger role within NCSS leadership – a way to visibly give back to our profession and focus on aspects of our association which most interest you.

Operations Committees evolve based on the changing needs of our association and its responsiveness to social studies educators nationwide. Recently, our Board of Directors approved a new Operations Committee – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Social Studies Committee – which we are preparing to launch this year. This committee has four responsibilities:

1. Investigate and make recommendations to the Board of Directors on ways that NCSS can promote equitable, inclusive, anti-racist, and anti-bias practices, resources, and programs in the social studies.
2. Review existing NCSS resources, position statements, and publications and recommend necessary revisions to ensure that current NCSS resources and publications reflect equitable, inclusive, anti-racist, and anti-bias positions and practices.
3. When requested, work with the Board of Directors to prepare position statements and responses to current events and issues that publicize and promote NCSS’ commitment to equitable, inclusive, anti-racist, and anti-bias positions and practices.
4. Create professional learning opportunities, such as webinars and conference sessions, to promote equitable, inclusive, anti-racist, and anti-bias practices in the social studies. Create and help identify high quality resources for NCSS members that members can use with faculty and with students to teach topics and teach through instructional practices that promote equity and inclusion.

We need your help. NCSS is committed to raising the voices of all social studies professionals in an organization whose culture is inclusive and where all voices are encouraged, supported and celebrated. To achieve this goal, we welcome all NCSS members to consider applying to be a founding member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Social Studies Committee. 

I have written frequently over the year about NCSS’ implementation of five strategic priorities to grow our association in the 21st century. Our new committee is the full realization of our fourth strategy priority: to ensure “inclusiveness that reflects society and strengthens civic life.” Our Call for Expertise is coming soon – please bookmark our page and look for the upcoming announcement via email and social media. If selected, your appointment would begin July 1, 2021, for a three-year term.

Thank you for considering the call to shape a more inclusive approach for social studies education.