Continuing Your Leadership Journey
Tap NAEYC’s Affiliate Boards to Deepen Your Service
For many NAEYC members, leadership does not begin and end in the classroom. It evolves through connection, advocacy, and service. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned professional, serving on your NAEYC Affiliate Board offers an opportunity to deepen your influence and expand your contributions to the field. Board service also allows you to explore where your skills and passions align best. Affiliate Boards have many committees you can serve on, and they offer other volunteer roles.
“Some of the most rewarding opportunities in my career have come from saying yes—even when I wasn’t completely sure I was ready,” said Amanda Waters, business manager with the Oklahoma Association for the Education of Young Children (OKAEYC) and a previous OKAEYC Board member. “You don’t have to have all the answers to make a difference. You just have to care enough to show up and be willing to grow.”
Affiliate Boards play a critical role in shaping the direction of early childhood policy, professional development, and community engagement at the state and local levels. By serving, you become part of a collective voice that advances high-quality early learning for all children.
“In our day-to-day work, we forget that we are a part of a larger field,” said Audrey Rowland, past president of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. “Getting involved with the Affiliate through Board work or committee work is an opportunity to reconnect with that community. It provides opportunities to build relationships with people in the same field but doing different work, and there is meaningful advocacy that can impact our profession.”
Engaging with an Affiliate Board offers several personal and professional rewards, such as
Leadership development: Hands-on experience in governance, strategic planning, and decision making strengthens your ability to lead initiatives, guide organizational priorities, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
Professional growth: Serving on a Board enhances your resume and provides insights into policy, advocacy, and organizational management—skills that transfer directly to your daily work.
Expanded network: Joining passionate professionals from across the field fosters meaningful relationships, mentorship opportunities, and access to a wide range of perspectives and expertise.
Advocacy skills: Board members often engage in policy discussions and advocacy efforts at local, state, and national levels. This empowers you to influence decisions that impact children, families, and educators.
Personal fulfillment: You’ll gain a strong sense of purpose knowing your time and expertise help shape the future of early childhood education. Plus, participating in discussions, presenting ideas, and helping lead initiatives build confidence in your voice as a leader.
Engaging with your NAEYC Affiliate Board is more than professional service; it is an investment in your growth and in the future of early childhood education.
“Serving on an Affiliate Board has been one of the best parts of my career,” said Camille Eckrem, president-elect of the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children. “It helped me grow as a leader, but even more than that, it’s given me the chance to help other people grow. Our profession needs more people who believe their voice matters, and I love getting to be a small part of that.”
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