TSELA - Committees

Awards Committee

Committee

Chair

Jacqueline Moreno

(Chair)

Committee

Members

Tracy Bruce

Ann Mulvihill

Tamara Majors

Committee

Chair

Tina Hovance

(Chair)

Committee

Members

Ann Mulvihill

Tania Smith

Cynthia Hopkins

Tracy Bruce

Joel Palmer

Joey Belgard

Awards Committee

Term of Service: One-year cycle, with option for reappointment

Appointment: Appointed by President

Major Function or Purpose of Committee:

The committee is established to receive, review and recommend proposed awards. At the Board’s request, the committee may review and recommend awards including the TSELA Outstanding Leadership in Science Education award .

Duties:

Chairperson Duties
- Oversee award nomination and selection in accordance with the organization’s Bylaws
- Adhere to the Bylaws and General Operating Policies of the organization
- Submit a budget recommendation and financial statement when requested by the treasurer
- Submit written reports, when requested, for each Board Meeting, and a comprehensive report for the Annual Meeting
- Present Awards, at the request of the president, to winning candidates
Specific Awards Committee Tasks

Review requirements for awards and make recommendation for Board consideration related to such that are consistent with the organization's overall mission and purpose
In response to requests from the Board and/or President, review and make recommendations for changes to awards presented by the organization
Examine and consider the implications of proposed awards changes and make recommendations to the Board
Review award candidates objectively and provide winner and runner up recommendations to the chair
Review application requirements on an annual basis to ensure to the awards process is clear and inclusive
Develop and maintain a process, incoordination with the Communication Committee, to solicit candidates for awards

Bylaws Committee

Term of Service: Special

Appointment: Appointed by President

Major Function or Purpose of Committee:

The committee is established to receive, review and recommend proposed amendments to the TSELA Bylaws. At the Board’s request, the committee may review and recommend changes to the Bylaws.

Duties:

Chairperson Duties

Oversee, maintain and update the organization’s Bylaws
Adhere to the Bylaws and General Operating Policies of the organization
Submit a budget recommendation and financial statement when requested by the treasurer
Submit written reports, when requested, for each Board Meeting, and a comprehensive report for the Annual Meeting

Specific Bylaws Committee Tasks

Review proposed Bylaws amendments to be considered by the membership and make recommendations to the Board
In response to requests from the Board and/or President, review and make recommendations for changes to the Bylaws
Examine and consider the implications of proposed changes and make recommendations to the Board
Ensure adherence to the Bylaws amendments process and timeline
Review proposed amendments and recommend for Board consideration changes to the Bylaws that are consistent with the organization's overall mission and purpose
Assist in the formulation of a process for presenting proposed amendments on the floor of the annual meeting or special meeting

Communication Committee

Term of Service: One-year cycle, with option for reappointment

Appointment: Appointed by President

Major Function or Purpose of Committee:

The main function of the Communications Committee is to ensure up-to-date TSELA information is provided to the members and that the content is consistent with the vision and brand of the organization. The chairperson organizes efforts toward this end.

Duties:

Chairperson Duties
- Work with the officers and committees to understand what information needs to communicated to the members
- Develop a communication plan and timeline
- Write articles for the website/email to announce news and information members need to know
- Develop position statements to be adopted by the organization and communication to stakeholders
- Update digital media platforms
Specific Communications Committee Tasks
- Notify the board and membership of important news and developments regarding science education
- Work to ensure information and digital platforms are updated and accessible to members
- Use digital media to document events and advocacy

Curriculum Committee

Committee

Chair

Joey Belgard

(Chair)

Cindy Bronson

(Co-Chair of TEKS Guide)

Ann Mulvihill

(Co-Chair of TEKS Guide)

Jason Baughman

(Chair of Open Source)

Committee

Members

Lashawnia Diggs

Tania Smith

Elvira Salazar

Karen Jacobs

Kelly Suarez

Derek McDowell

Mandi Nelson

Curriculum Committee

Term of Service: Special

Appointment: Appointed by President

Major Function or Purpose of Committee:

The committee is established to develop, review and recommend curriculum elements and resources for TSELA members. The committee sees that the organization members' needs are served by TSELA. The Chairperson is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the meetings and work related to the curriculum project, including overseeing such tasks as: program development, communication and coordination with the officers and Marketing chair. The committee is composed of the Chairperson and committee members.

Duties:

Chairperson Duties
- Oversee, maintain and understand the curricular needs of the organization
- Adhere to the Bylaws and General Operating Policies of the organization
- Submit a budget recommendation and financial statement when requested by the treasurer
- Ensure materials adhere to the Bylaws and SOP
- Submit written reports, when requested, for each Board Meeting, and a comprehensive report for the Annual Meeting
- Solicit from members curricular materials, elements, and components and recommend for Board consideration the inclusion of materials that are consistent with the organization's overall mission and purpose
Specific Awards Committee Tasks

Develop curriculum materials, elements, and components for members and recommend for Board consideration the inclusion of materials that are consistent with the organization's overall mission and purpose
Review curriculum elements and components and recommend for Board consideration the adoption of materials that are consistent with the organization's overall mission and purpose
Ensure curricular materials are not subject to copyright or in violation of employment contracts before adopting them as part of the TSELA curriculum resource
In response to requests from the Board and/or President, review and make recommendations for curriculum materials and components
Maintain proposed Bylaws amendments to be considered by the membership and make recommendations to the Board
or awards

Finance Committee

Term of Service: One-year cycle, with option for reappointment

Appointment: Appointed by President

Major Function or Purpose of Committee:

The committee is established to receive, review and recommend proposed amendments to the TSELA Bylaws. At the Board’s request, the committee may review and recommend changes to the Bylaws.

Duties:

Chairperson Duties
- Oversee, maintain and update the organization’s Bylaws
- Adhere to the Bylaws and General Operating Policies of the organization
- Submit a budget recommendation and financial statement when requested by the treasurer
- Submit written reports, when requested, for each Board Meeting, and a comprehensive report for the Annual Meeting
Specific Finance Committee Tasks
- Review proposed amendments and recommend for Board consideration changes to the Bylaws that are consistent with the organization's overall mission and purpose
- In response to requests from the Board and/or President, review and make recommendations for changes to the Bylaws
- Examine and consider the implications of proposed changes and make recommendations to the Board
- Ensure adherence to the Bylaws amendments process and timeline
- Review proposed Bylaws amendments to be considered by the membership and make recommendations to the Board
- Assist in the formulation of a process for presenting proposed amendments on the floor of the annual meeting or special meeting

Nomination / Membership Committee

Committee

Chair

Jason Baughman

(Chair)

Committee

Members

Terry Ward

Caitlin Couch

Kenn Heydrick

Karen Jacobs

Kelly Suarez

Nomination Committee

Term of Service: One-year cycle, with option for reappointment

Appointment: Appointed by President

Major Function or Purpose of Committee:

The main function of the Nominations and Elections Committee is to work to ensure there is a full slate of qualified nominees for each year's election. The chairperson organizes efforts toward this end.

Duties:

Chairperson Duties
- Work with President-Elect to replace committee members as 1-year appointments end
- Maintain regular communication with the officers.
- Ensure that the ballot is organized and submitted to the President in a timely manner
- Maintain records of nominees for the ballot, successful candidates, and voting percentages
- Write an article for the website/email blast to announce offices open for election, to encourage nominations, and to acknowledge incoming and outgoing officers and directors
Specific Nominations and Elections Chairperson and Committee Tasks

Notify the board and membership of the positions open each year
Work to recruit nominees for the ballot by personal contact, working with the officer, contacting individuals in other organizations, and by submitting articles soliciting nominations for the website and email blasts.

Membership Committee

Term of Service: One-year cycle, with option for reappointment

Appointment: Appointed by President

Major Function or Purpose of Committee:

The main function of the Nominations and Elections Committee is to work to ensure there is a full slate of qualified nominees for each year's election. The chairperson organizes efforts toward this end.

Duties:

Chairperson Duties
- Identify potential committee members and encourage online application for committee membership
- Work with President-Elect to replace committee members as 1-year appointments end
- Maintain regular communication with committee members
- Identify, organize, and facilitate committee tasks
- Facilitate and encourage submission of relevant articles to online postings/email blasts in order to promote and maintain organization membership
Specific Membership Chairperson and Committee Tasks

Solicit ideas and suggestions for the purpose of increasing membership and providing more and better services to TSELA members
Ensure the continuity of membership in the organization through the performance of tasks related to the maintenance and growth of the membership
- Maintain and update the organization's membership records
- Work to recruit new members by personal contact or by utilizing regional/ESC lists, professional journals, and other science publications
- Work with the Marketing chair to disseminate membership materials to potential new members

Professional Learning Committee

Committee

Chair

Derek McDowell

(Chair)

Committee

Members

Lashawnia Diggs

Ann Mulvihill

Karen Jacobs

Professional Learning Committee

Term of Service: One-year cycle, with option for reappointment

Appointment: Appointed by President

Major Function or Purpose of Committee:

The Professional Learning Committee is one of the highly visible 'faces' of TSELA. The committee sees that the organization serves the needs and interests of those who participate in professional learning provided through TSELA. The Chairperson is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the meetings and sessions at CAST conferences, including overseeing such tasks as: program development, communication with presenters and facilities, coordination with the officers and Marketing chair. The committee is composed of the Chairperson and committee members..

Duties:

Chairperson Duties
- Coordinate tasks of the Professional Learning Committee
- Identify potential committee members and encourage online application for committee membership
- Work with President-Elect to replace committee members as appointments end
- Maintain regular communication with committee members
- Identify, organize, and facilitate committee tasks
- Facilitate and encourage submission of relevant articles to the website/email blasts related to professional development opportunities
Specific Professional Learning Chairperson and Committee Tasks
- Annual Fall Membership Meeting - Completes all tasks as outlined:
  - Pre-planning
  - On-site coordination
  - Post-event responsibilities
- Winter and Spring Meetings - Completes all tasks as outlined:
  - Pre-planning
  - On-site coordination
  - Post-event responsibilities
- TSELA sessions at CAST
  - Coordinate TSELA-sponsored events at STAT’s annual CAST Conference
  - Work with the officers to coordinate the TSELA-sponsored sessions at the various mini-CASTS throughout the year