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If you are not already a member of the leading association in the country serving the needs of community education and 21st CCLC professionals, then you are missing out on the numerous advantages our members enjoy.

Community Education

Community Education is a way for people to enhance their lives and communities through learning and collaboration. It is a concept that provides opportunities for local community members, schools, and other organizations to become partners in addressing education and community concerns.

National Community Education Association

Founded in 1966, the National Community Education Association (NCEA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization that provides training, information, leadership and networking opportunities, and advocacy for its individual and institutional members and state and local affiliates.

Let Us Serve You

Whether you are a community education director or coordinator, a 21st CCLC practitioner, an administrator, a business partner, a teacher, a policymaker, a parent, a citizen advocate — membership in NCEA will bring you information and services to help you, your school, and your community.

"One of the things I like and appreciate about NCEA is that its commitment to community involvement is expressed in the association itself. From the beginning, I have been actively involved at the local, state, and national levels. I am genuinely a part of the national community education network." — Barbara Canova, Advisory Council Member, Ankeny, Iowa

Theoretical Discussions, Research Projects, and Descriptions of Successful Programs in our professional journal give you food for thought and examples of model programs for replication. A forum for the exchange of ideas in the field, the Community Education Journal is in your mailbox four times a year.

Training on Current Issues and unparalleled opportunities for networking are yours at the NCEA annual conference, the largest gathering nationally of community educators from across the country and abroad. Members receive a significant discount on conference registration.

Publications related to community education keep you on the cutting edge and Products — cups, stickers, bags, umbrellas, pins, pencils — help you promote the concept and are great for thank-you's to staff and volunteers.

Workshops and Institutes provide you with intensive training on specific topics, such as parent involvement in K-12 education, or developing community-based environmental education and action programs, or working with at-risk youth, or being at the forefront of education reform.

Opportunities for Leadership abound in NCEA. The association is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors; 12 of the directors are chosen by the membership in national and regional elections. An active network of committees and task forces involves hundreds of volunteers in the governance and guidance of the association.

Peer Support through Networking is just a phone call away. NCEA's annual Membership and Resource Directory puts you in touch with colleagues from around the country and internationally, too.

"Working in a small community, you can feel isolated from national movements and events. NCEA has connected me with community education nationally and put me in touch with excellent people, new information, and fresh ideas. Through my membership in NCEA, I get the national perspective and broad support I need to do a better job." — Dennis Carlson, Community Education Director, Anoka, Minnesota

Support for Affiliated State Community Education Associations is provided through NCEA's National Council of State Community Education Associations (NCSCEA). An annual summer workshop brings state and national leaders together for collaborative planning.

An Opportunity to Showcase Local Community Education Programs and Practices is provided members through nationally recognized Community Education Day. This event has been co-sponsored over the years by such cooperating organizations as the National Association of State Boards of Education, the American Association of School Administrators, the U.S. Department of Education, the Institute of Educational Leadership, the Council of Chief State School Officers, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Our Members Are Our Strength

As we work to promote the concept and practice of community education, strength in numbers enhances our credibility with government, policy makers, education leaders, and practitioners across the nation. The most effective way to express your support for community education is by joining the national team.

NCEA Membership Categories

NCEA has six membership categories. Click on the links below to find out more about NCEA membership categories and to complete an online registration form for the category of your choice. The NCEA membership category pages, below, are secured by Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software, the industry standard for secure online commerce transactions.