What are Program Councils?
The Program Councils are the idea generators of the organization. The councils carry out SHAPE America's mission by organizing task forces, carrying out and accomplishing work on behalf of the organization and communicating with the membership at large about the needs of the profession and the resources that SHAPE America should provide.
What do the Program Councils do?
The charge of each of the five programs councils includes the following:
- Advise and make recommendations to SHAPE America staff and the BOD about appropriate programs, products and services related to the respective focus areas listed below, considering overall impact, member benefit and return on investment.
- Provide recommendations to SHAPE America staff and the BOD on existing programs, products, services, activities in relation to strategic plan and recommend continuation, revision or elimination. Help guide new initiatives through review process and recommend task forces and ad hoc committees needed for completion.
- Build communication with related SHAPE America Special Interest Groups.
- Provide report/update prior to each Board of Directors in-person meeting and/or when requested.
How can I become a member of a council?
Review the Program Council information on this webpage, including the PDFs for FY2019 Council Projects & Council Openings.
The application deadline for FY20 council openings is October 15, 2019. The updated application will be linked here soon.
Apply here
Submit your application! Applications are due by October 15 for terms beginning at the next annual SHAPE America National Convention & Expo. New council members are selected by existing council members and will be notified by December 31.
What is the term of a council member?
Council members begin their term in the month of the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo and end their term three years later, also in the month of the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo.
How often do the Program Councils meet?
Councils primarily conduct their business throughout regular conference calls and regular email exchange.
What content areas are represented by the council?
The School Health Education Council addresses the areas of Health Education Teacher Education (HETE), preK-12 School Health Education, and State/District Health Education Administration.
The Physical Education Council addresses the areas of Dance, Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE), preK-12 Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education, State/District Physical Education Administration.
The Physical Activity Council addresses the areas of lifespan physical activity, dance, sport, adapted physical activity, and outdoor adventure education.
The Research Council addresses the areas of curriculum and instruction, exercise science, motivation and psychology, motor behavior and measurement, physical activity and health, sociocultural and social justice, and sport and coaching.
The Professional Preparation Council identifies and discusses needs/issues related to professional preparation for HETE and PETE, HETE and PETE program review toward Specialized Professional Association (SPA) national recognition for CAEP accreditation, college and university instructional physical activity programs, academic content knowledge, and strategies for addressing the needs/issues related to those areas. Check out their structure and function document, here!