ATPE stands apart from other educator organizations with members governing the association at the local, regional, and state levels. As a member, you enjoy unmatched opportunity to participate in your association’s governance.

The ATPE House of Delegates (HOD) meets annually at the ATPE Summit in Austin to  elect state officers, establish policies in the form of standing and current resolutions, and formulate ATPE’s legislative program. Delegates are selected by their fellow local unit members or as at-large representatives through a process guided by the state bylaws. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, contact your local unit president or region president if you do not belong to a local unit.

The ATPE Board of Directors (BOD) consists of 20 directors (one from each region) and five state officers. Each ATPE region corresponds with one of 20 Education Service Center (ESC) regions identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The ATPE Board of Directors has authority to amend the ATPE State Bylaws.

Each region maintains its own independently elected officer corps. The regional director serves as the liaison and representative to the ATPE Board of Directors, as well as ensures the region’s voice is heard in governance decisions made at the board level.

ATPE local units can be found in more than 300 school districts across the state. Your local unit leaders are district colleagues who coordinate an annual membership campaign, communicate with your school board, support local initiatives, and ensure your voice is represented at the HOD level. Each local unit member and at-large member is employed as an educator in his or her region. Read on to learn how regions and local units can work together.

The  HOD  elects ATPE’s state officers during its annual meeting at the summit. Professional, associate and retired members interested in running for the office of treasurer, secretary, vice president or president should contact the state office for current election rules and a nomination form. Nominations must be received in the state office by March 15 of each year. Nominations may also be submitted from the floor of the  HOD  meeting.

Your region director  serves as a liaison between the Board of Directors and officers in your region and ensures your region’s voice is heard in governance decisions made at the state level, including consideration of proposed bylaws amendments. Your  region president  serves as a resource for local unit leaders in your area. Various elected regional leaders work to further the association’s mission with responsibilities including:

• Providing local units with support and assistance, including financial assistance.
• Establishing new local units.
• Facilitating communication between the state office and local units.
• Promoting and encouraging local involvement in ATPE’s annual summit.

Eight standing committees guide association business by making recommendations for board consideration. Service on these committees is a vital component of ATPE’s governance structure, and members are invited and encouraged to apply for service each year. The state president reviews member applications and recommends committee assignments to the board, which then approves each appointment.