Purpose

The Affiliate Network Professional Council (ANPC) supports TESOL International Association by helping to foster a strong and robust affiliate network. The ANPC accomplishes this by facilitating clear and timely communication between and among affiliate associations and TESOL International Association, developing programming in support of affiliate organizations, and advising on initiatives and activities that advance the association’s strategic direction. 

Terms of Service

The ANPC shall consist of up to 10 members, plus a staff partner and board liaison. The ANPC shall ensure adequate membership to carry out its duties and responsibilities as specified below.

Members are appointed by the TESOL executive committee through an application process, with advice from the leadership of the current ANPC. The application solicits information regarding education and professional training, relevant experience, and potential contributions to the professional council with reference to the professional council’s goals and objectives. Once appointed, professional council members make a one-year commitment to serve. They may seek to renew their commitment annually, for up to three years of service.

Each year, an incoming chair shall be nominated by the TESOL executive director though an application process from within the ANPC, with input from the current ANPC leaders and final approval by the executive committee. Only those serving on the professional council at the time of the application process are eligible to apply. Once appointed, the designee shall serve for one year as incoming chair, one year as chair, and one year as past chair before rotating off the council. 

Service on the ANPC shall begin and end at the annual TESOL convention.  

Membership Criteria 

Interested applicants must be TESOL members for at least 3 years and have at least 1-2 years of volunteer experience with TESOL International Association.

Interested applicants shall be asked to list their level of education, experience, and how they are qualified to contribute to the ANPC in meeting its goals and objectives, including recent demonstrable leadership experience with a TESOL affiliate. ANPC members should have knowledge and experience of TESOL International Association and its affiliate associations, the relationship between TESOL and its affiliate associations, and the strategic direction of the association. The council membership should reflect the widest possible range of professional expertise and experience, reflecting TESOL’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Duties and Responsibilities

The ANPC will collaborate with the staff partner to facilitate activities that support the affiliate network. This includes, but is not limited to, advising on programmatic elements, facilitating procedures for activities within the affiliate network, developing a collaborative partnership between TESOL International Association and its affiliate associations, and enhancing and fostering communication among affiliate associations. It will also provide oversight and advice for projects pursued as part of this partnership.

The ANPC shall:

• Assist with procedural elements to develop and maintain the affiliate network.
• Review and revise additional criteria for joining and remaining in the affiliate network as needed.
• Review and advise the executive committee of TESOL on new and renewal affiliate applications.
• Facilitate methods to collect, share, and disseminate information and knowledge on emerging professional issues through the affiliate network.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between and among TESOL International Association and affiliate associations.
• Support networking and professional development events for leaders within the affiliate network.
• Convene the Annual Affiliate Assembly and the Affiliate Colloquium.
• Solicit and select for referral the “Best of Affiliate” sessions for the annual convention.
• Publish a biannual newsletter for the affiliate network.

Purpose

The Awards Professional Council (APC) supports TESOL International Association by recognizing outstanding accomplishments of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the TESOL field and offering opportunities for educators to participate in the association’s programs. The APC accomplishes this by working with the staff partner and board liaison to coordinate the review and selection of applications for specific TESOL awards and grants as determined by the board of directors.

Terms of Service

The APC shall consist of up to 10 members, plus a staff partner and board liaison. The APC shall ensure adequate membership to carry out its duties and responsibilities as specified below.

Members are appointed by the TESOL executive committee through an application process, with advice from the leadership of the current APC. The application solicits information regarding education and professional training, relevant experience, and potential contributions to the professional council with reference to the professional council’s goals and objectives. Once appointed, professional council members make a one-year commitment to serve. They may seek to renew their commitment annually, for up to three years of service.

Each year, an incoming chair shall be nominated by the TESOL executive director though an application process from within the APC, with input from the current APC leaders and final approval by the executive committee. Only those serving on the professional council at the time of the application process are eligible to apply. Once appointed, the designee shall serve for one year as incoming chair, one year as chair, and one year as past chair before rotating off the council.

Service on the APC shall begin and end at the annual TESOL convention.

*APC members are not allowed to apply for or receive any TESOL Awards while serving in the council and for a period of 1 year after rotating off the council.

Membership Criteria

Interested applicants must be TESOL members for at least 3 years and have at least 1-2 years of volunteer experience with TESOL International Association.

Interested applicants shall be asked to list their level of education and experience and explain how they are qualified to contribute to the APC's goals and objectives. APC members should have experience as an awards reviewer prior to serving. The council membership should reflect the widest possible range of professional expertise and experience, reflecting TESOL’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Duties and Responsibilities

The APC shall:

• Coordinate activities related to the adjudication of applications for TESOL awards and grants.
• Recruit volunteers to review applications.
• Serve as an award reviewer (and in some cases as a tiebreaker).
• Assess and administer the award review process.
• Provide guidance on the criteria and adjudication for TESOL awards and grants.
• Develop and implement a process for the periodic review and revision of TESOL awards and grants.
• Assist in the recognition of award winners.

Purpose

The Conferences Professional Council (CPC) shall ensure that the content and program of TESOL International Association conferences are focused on current issues that impact the field of English language teaching, responsive to the diverse needs of members and the TESOL field and aligned with the strategic direction of the association. The CPC accomplishes this by working with the staff partner and board liaison in setting the overall goals for each conference, providing advice and guidance as needed.

Membership Criteria

Interested applicants must be TESOL members for at least 3 years and have at least 1-2 years of volunteer experience with TESOL International Association.

Interested applicants shall be asked to list their level of education, their leadership experiences with professional organizations and conferences, and explain how they are qualified to contribute to the CPC in meeting its goals and objectives. CPC members should have experience participating in professional conferences such as TESOL (including local and regional affiliate organizations), ACTFL, AAAL, etc. CPC members should also have experience leading or assisting in the planning, organizing, and hosting of professional conferences. They should have experience reviewing presentation proposals. The council membership should reflect the widest possible range of professional expertise and experience, reflecting TESOL’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Duties and Responsibilities

The CPC shall:

• Collaborate with the TESOL International Association staff, the board liaison, and other professional councils to develop a framework for determining the content, themes, and the selection of tracks and topics for TESOL conferences.
• Advance the association’s reputation as the global leader in professional development for the TESOL field by upholding standards of quality in providing unique and outstanding keynote speakers and conference sessions that will benefit the profession and the field.
• Uphold and advance the quality of TESOL conferences by:
  • working closely with strand coordinators and assistant strand coordinators to create a vibrant convention program that responds to changing trends in the field;
  • assessing current and anticipated needs as they relate to the call for proposals and proposal review process;
  • setting standards for conference speakers that address session titles, learning objectives, and the development and delivery of presentation content;
  • developing a process to continually evaluate the relevance of current conference and convention programming;
  • assisting association staff in identifying elements that will enhance the attendee experience at TESOL conferences; and
  • advising association staff on program content for TESOL conferences.
• Collaborate with other professional councils to identify trends and issues in the field to shape programming and meet the needs of the English language teaching community.
• Other tasks assigned by the executive committee or board of directors, as needed.

Purpose 

The Justice and Equity Professional Council (JEPC) assists TESOL International Association in advancing the Association’s commitment to social justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) so that member needs are met. The JEPC accomplishes this by working with the staff partner and board liaison to align and amplify Association efforts toward fulfilling its DEIA commitments and in partnering with other professional councils (PC), communities of practice (COP), staff, and board as needed.

Terms of Service 

The JEPC shall consist of up to 8 members, a board liaison, and a staff partner. The JEPC shall ensure adequate membership to carry out its duties and responsibilities. 

Members are appointed by the TESOL executive committee through an application process, with advice from the leadership of the current JEPC. Once appointed, council members make a one-year commitment to serve, renewable up to three years.

Each year, an incoming chair shall be nominated by the TESOL executive director through an application process from within the JEPC, with input from the current JEPC leaders and final approval by the executive committee. Only those serving on the professional council at the time of the application process are eligible to apply. Once appointed, the designee shall serve for one year as incoming chair, one year as chair, and one year as past chair before rotating off the council.

Membership Criteria 

Members have knowledge about approaches to aspects of DEIA in different contexts. Members have a proven record of engagement with and expertise in this and related work, which would underpin their capacity to effectively navigate interactions about potentially sensitive topics and with diverse viewpoints.

The overall composition of the council should reflect TESOL’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access through 1) diverse geographical, cultural, racial, linguistic, gender identity, ability, and generational representation; 2) varied personal knowledge and perspectives of members of underrepresented and/or marginalized groups within a range of global contexts; and 3) a range of professional expertise and experience. 

Responsibilities and Duties 

Given the scope of work involved in promoting DEIA and related work the JEPC will collaborate with existing PCs, CoPs, staff, and board as needed.  The Justice and Equity Professional Council shall:

• Assist in recommending and supporting policies and practices through a DEIA lens
  • Develop and put into action reviews and assessments to create equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist policies, practices, and processes for the Association.
  • Review the organization's existing policies and procedures through a DEIA lens.
  • Recommend revisions to improve existing policies or propose new policies to the board in support of DEIA.
  • Serve as an expert source of knowledge, skills, and tools for the implementation of DEIA-aligned practices across all levels of the organization.
  • Act as a DEIA advisory group for other TESOL entities
  • Review, assess, and provide support to the Board in ensuring an appropriate response to acts of discrimination that take place across activities and levels within the association.
• Assist in demonstrating progress towards its DEIA goals with metrics
  • Recommend research-based methods, approaches, and tools to measure effectiveness of implemented DEIA initiatives and suggest improvements.
  • Provide support to the staff in regularly monitoring the organization's progress towards achieving its DEIA goals.
  • Collect, analyze, and report data on the organization's demographics, policies, and practices regarding DEIA.
  • Research current and future trends in global DEIA issues and use it to make recommendations to the board about strategic goals for the association in order to address global members’ needs.
  • Bring DEIA grant opportunities to the attention of the staff partner.
• Build members’ expertise in DEIA through education and training
  • Provide professional learning opportunities that focus on fostering an organizational culture that embraces learning and dialogue about DEIA.
  • Encourage and recommend ELT educational resources and trainings, events, online discussions, and publications on DEIA language-related topics, such as discrimination, racism, and antiracism by and to entities across the Association with a goal of establishing and communicating the nature and relevance of DEIA work in TESOL across a range of global and educational contexts.
  • Offer strategies to integrate principles of DEIA into association activities.
• Promote community engagement
  • Update the membership on TESOL’s DEIA commitment at the annual convention
  • Review the work of external organizations and make recommendations to the board and staff about partnerships that can advance shared DEIA goals.
  • Provide support for the TESOL Outstanding Advocate Honor Award.
  • Identify and address potential barriers to participation in the Association faced by diverse communities.
  • Monitor global trends affecting the Association that may warrant a response.

Purpose

The Membership Professional Council (MPC) assists TESOL International Association in recruiting and engaging members of the association who teach English to speakers of other languages in multilingual contexts worldwide. The MPC accomplishes this by working with the staff partner and board liaison to advance the association’s strategic direction priority to build member value and engagement and to foster a satisfying member experience.

Terms of Service

The MPC shall consist of up to 10 members, plus a staff partner and board liaison. The MPC shall ensure adequate membership to carry out its duties and responsibilities as specified below.

Members are appointed by the TESOL executive committee through an application process, with advice from the leadership of the current MPC. The application solicits information regarding education and professional training, relevant experience, and potential contributions to the professional council with reference to the professional council’s goals and objectives. Once appointed, professional council members make a one-year commitment to serve. They may seek to renew their commitment annually, for up to three years of service.

Each year, an incoming chair shall be nominated by the TESOL executive director though an application process from within the MPC, with input from the current MPC leaders and final approval by the executive committee. Only those serving on the professional council at the time of the application process are eligible to apply. Once appointed, the designee shall serve for one year as incoming chair, one year as chair, and one year as past chair before rotating off the council.

Service on the MPC shall begin and end at the annual TESOL convention.

Membership Criteria

Interested applicants must be TESOL members for at least 3 years and have at least 1-2 years of volunteer experience with TESOL International Association.

be asked to complete their TESOL demographic profile, list their experience, and how they are qualified to contribute to the MPC in meeting its goals and objectives. MPC members should have general knowledge of TESOL, its members, activities, membership structure, programs, and benefits. The council membership should reflect the widest possible range of professional expertise and experience, reflecting TESOL’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Duties and Responsibilities

The MPC shall:

• Welcome and engage new members and first-time attendees at TESOL events.
• Communicate opportunities to the staff partner that arise for partnerships with affiliates, communities of practice, and other educational institutions that may increase membership and engagement with the association.
• Provide support and feedback to staff-led efforts, such as reviews of TESOL’s membership model and benefits and plans for TESOL recruitment and retention campaigns.
• Recommend programs and activities that will enhance the member experience.
• Review and assist with conducting, targeting, analyzing, and reporting on surveys about member satisfaction and engagement with TESOL and its programs and benefits.

Purpose

The Standards Professional Council (SPC) supports TESOL International Association in advancing the quality and expertise in the field of English language teaching through standards for teaching and learning. The SPC accomplishes this by working with the staff partner and board liaison to review and amplify quality standards of practice that are relevant to the ​profession of English language teaching, multilingual learners of English, and English language teacher training.

Terms of Service

The SPC shall consist of up to 10 members, plus a staff partner and board liaison. The SPC shall ensure adequate membership to carry out its duties and responsibilities as specified below.

Members are appointed by the TESOL executive committee through an application process, with advice from the leadership of the current SPC. The application solicits information regarding education and professional training, relevant experience, and potential contributions to the professional council with reference to the professional council’s goals and objectives. Once appointed, professional council members make a one-year commitment to serve. They may seek to renew their commitment annually, for up to three years of service. 

Each year, an incoming chair shall be nominated by the TESOL executive director though an application process from within the SPC, with input from the current SPC leaders and final approval by the executive committee. Only those serving on the professional council at the time of the application process are eligible to apply. Once appointed, the designee shall serve for one year as incoming chair, one year as chair, and one year as past chair before rotating off the council.

Service on the SPC shall begin and end at the annual TESOL convention.

Membership Criteria

Interested applicants must be TESOL members for at least 3 years and have at least 1-2 years of volunteer experience with TESOL International Association.

Interested applicants shall be asked to list their level of education, experience, and how they are qualified to contribute to the SPC in meeting its goals and objectives. SPC members shall have knowledge of and experience with relevant standards of practice in the TESOL field, including the application, development, revision, and application/implementation of standards. The council membership should reflect the widest possible range of professional expertise and experience, reflecting TESOL’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Duties and Responsibilities

The SPC shall:

• Assist TESOL International Association in​​ overseeing the development and maintenance of TESOL standards of practice.
  • Advise the board on standards of practice to meet the needs of the field of English language teaching and learning.
  • Provide guidance on the criteria and procedures to maintain quality standards of practice for the profession.
  • ​​Develop, implement, and assess an annual process for the review and revision of the association’s standards.
• Support the association’s strategic direction.
  • Advise the association on initiatives related to standards of practice for the profession.
  • Provide feedback and guidance on standards-related programs and products for the association.
  • Increase the visibility of the association’s standards among members and the field of English language teaching and learning.
• ​​Provide expertise to the association.
  • Review and offer feedback on other educational standards that impact the field of English language teaching and learning.
  • Monitor and inform the association on trends and developments related to standards of practice that impact the field of English language teaching and learning.
  • Identify gaps and opportunities for training related to educational standards.

Charge

The Nominating Committee solicits nominations from the membership entities, standing committees, and other TESOL constituencies, and from the membership for TESOL leadership elections: president, board of directors, and the next year's Nominating Committee.

Responsibilities

Members maintain communications with the chair, with most of these communications being held in the first half of the calendar year. The bulk of the committee's work is done in June and July and members must be available for a series of conference calls during that time. Members participate in all committee conference call meetings and attend meetings at the annual convention.

Qualifications

Members must be TESOL members in good standing for at least four of the previous ten years and familiar with the TESOL organization. Familiarity with TESOL is demonstrated by strong service to TESOL within the past six years. Such service includes one or more of the following:

• active membership in a standing committee, task force, or special project
• past service on the board of directors