PEI Council Elections
2023 applications now open

Do you have the time and skill to make an impact in polar science education and communication? 
Get active in Polar Educators International at leadership level.

Join the 2023-2024 Polar Educators International Council!

Our Council plays a crucial role in sustaining and growing PEI. We rely on enthusiastic, experienced and expert volunteers from the polar education community around the world with time on their hands to help build and support the network and co-lead new initiatives. The next PEI Council term begins 17th June 2023.

We encourage YOU to consider applying.

Questions? email [email protected]

Application deadline is 3 June 2023

Leadership Tasks 

PEI ambassador for promoting Justice Equality Diversity Inclusion

Polar education at International Science Meetings & institutions

Ambassador for Polar Literacy and Environmental Stewardship 

Digital and social media developers to grow connectivity for our polar educator community

Over-Arching Tasks

COLLABORATE to grow and strengthen the PEI networks and its relationships

COMMUNICATE with our polar peers, knowledge holders, researchers and our students to develop a robust, flexible, and trusted international presence for PEI

CREATE and share new initiatives, tools and resources to provide relevant and timely opportunities for both education and scientific communities

Commitment 

  • Meet monthly (3rd Saturday of the month)  12 Council meetings
  • Join/Lead a ‘task oriented’ working group
  • Uphold PEI core values – welcoming, passionate, credible and dedicated

Benefit

  • Feel a part of a supportive professional community
  • Interact with fellow polar educators and researchers from around the world
  • Get guidance and support from more experienced members
  • Serve on Council for 2 years and apply to be part of the Executive Committee.

Special projects for 2023-2024 

  • Polar Resource Book project  – fundraising and partnerships
  • PEI2025 – Boulder, Colorado & the ICARP IV Planning Process
  • Global conversation connecting polar education, Arctic science & Indigenous Knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions

PEI Council members, elected annually:

  • Commit to volunteer their time and talents in a leadership role
  • Help to make decisions about PEI’s international role, shape its goals, and set objectives to fulfill the overall purpose of PEI
  • Help to run PEI, set out and achieve annual priorities (according to the Strategic Plan) by leading initiatives and participating in working groups

Along with the Executive Committee, PEI Council members as active leaders in their fields, will:

  • Help to organize activities for polar educators around the world, in order to build PEI’s international presence and reputation
  • Maintain PEI’s connections with other organizations and seek new relationships
  • Help to keep PEI members updated on new trends in polar research and/or education
  • Represent PEI at conferences and meetings

PEI Council members, elected annually:

  • Commit to volunteer their time and talents in a leadership role
  • Help to make decisions about PEI’s international role, shape its goals, and set objectives to fulfill the overall purpose of PEI
  • Help to run PEI, set out and achieve annual priorities (according to the Strategic Plan) by leading initiatives and participating in working groups

Along with the Executive Committee, PEI Council members as active leaders in their fields, will:

  • Help to organize activities for polar educators around the world, in order to build PEI’s international presence and reputation
  • Maintain PEI’s connections with other organizations and seek new relationships
  • Help to keep PEI members updated on new trends in polar research and/or education
  • Represent PEI at conferences and meetings

All PEI members can become council members if they are interested in being actively involved in the organization. There are both Organizational and Individual members who follow the same procedure for approval to take a Council position. We encourage partner organizations to forward applicants for the Council.

PEI Council members commit to attending monthly online council meetings. Please read the PEI Council Charter completely to understand what is expected of Council members.

Applicants should fill out and submit the application form, and attend one of the orientation sessions to be eligible for a place on PEI Council. The Executive Committee will coordinate voting. After voting, leadership will contact all applicants with the result of the selection. If successful, a candidate will be sent and must return an acceptance form, together with a ‘selfie’ for the website. The communication will also contain up-to-date documents and all contact information necessary for the new Council member. The term of service on the Council begins on 17th June 2023 (or the date of notification, whichever is later). The new member will be added to the Council email list, and introduced to membership using the information they have provided in the application. A Council Member’s interests and current projects can be made available on the PEI website. If an applicant is unsuccessful, the correspondence will suggest other PEI involvement options

Any actively participating member of Council may run for a position on the Executive Committee AFTER they have served on the Council for a term of at least two years in an active role.

2023 Timeline
  • April 15th: Call for applications
  • May 19th: Applications deadline
  • May 29th: Applicants notified of initial results and orientation session schedule 
  • Council Orientation Sessions (choose one)
    • June 8th (19:00UTC)
    • June 10th (15:00UTC)
  • June 11th: Confirmation letters
  • June 17th: First Council Meeting – PEI Council begins term with election of the Executive Committee/President