2026 AECEA Board Call for Nominations

Candidates must have a good understanding of AECEA’s work and a strong desire to transform Alberta’s early childhood educator workforce into a recognized profession. AECEA’s vision is that well-qualified, well-compensated early childhood educators are respected as professionals, valued for their important work, and supported in providing high-quality child care for Alberta’s children and families. Board members work alongside early childhood educators and community partners toward seeing this vision become reality.

AECEA provides board members with an opportunity to learn and share experiences in areas such as leadership, public policy, finance, research, data collection and system planning. Opportunities to engage in policy decisions, board development and attend local, provincial and national meetings are also an added benefit.

What You Bring:

AECEA’s Board members are expected to possess several of the following skills:

• inherent leadership, interpersonal and analytical skills
• strong verbal and written communication skills
• strategic planning, development and project implementation skills
• ability to work collaboratively at a board, community and system level
• ability to think at a systems level, while having some understanding of centre-based child care, out-of-school care, family day homes and preschools
• ability to undertake, review or summarize research and document findings
• understanding of how to advance a workforce into a profession
• knowledge and skills in finance, public policy, research, communications, human resources, early years' pedagogy, board governance or other expert fields

The Commitment:

AECEA Board members will need to:

• commit to volunteering a minimum of 10-15 hours per month of preparation and meeting time.
• be available to attend full-day meetings 1-2 times per year (full-day meetings may require travel to another city).
• commit to, contribute to and participate in monthly online Board and Committee meetings.
• commit to completing Board and Committee work between meetings
• fulfill all duties and responsibilities of being an AECEA Board member, including:
  • developing & upholding the mission, purpose and strategies, policies and priorities
  • speak to and understand AECEA’s mandate document and 10-point plan, Qualified Educators, Quality Care
  • Speak to and understand AECEA's position paper on legislative change, Getting It Right - Recommendations for Improving Alberta's Child Care Licensing Legislation
  • ensuring compliance with laws and regulations related to nonprofit organizations in Alberta
  • planning, monitoring and evaluating the work of the organization
  • financial oversight of the organization’s resources
  • selecting, overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating the organization’s staff members

Nominees to the Board must be voting members (professional or student) of AECEA.

AECEA seeks to balance the geographic representation of our Board to reflect the communities it serves, so we welcome Board members from all over the province.

AECEA supports equity, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome guidance from intercultural pedagogy and competencies experienced with the process of decolonization and Indigenous worldviews.

In order for a Nominee to be considered, the application must include:

• a CV or resume that demonstrates an awareness of and/or experience in early learning and care or specific knowledge which would support AECEA's vision and strategic direction, as well as evidence of Board governance knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities.
• an introductory letter that speaks to the nominee's commitment and support of AECEA.
• one (1) professional reference (your professional reference will be contacted in the first two weeks of August).

Please note that nominee resumes, introductory letters, and the information submitted with the application form will be shared with AECEA’s members to assist in their decision-making. Information shared will have all contact information removed prior to sharing.

Nominees will be contacted by the AECEA Nominating Committee in the first two weeks of August to discuss their interest in AECEA.

All applications must be submitted via our online form below. The deadline to send applications is August 2, 2026, @ 11:59 PM.