2027 AzAEYC Board Elections
Nominations Are Now Open!
Are you passionate about advancing early childhood education and making a meaningful impact in Arizona? AzAEYC invites members to take an active role in shaping the future of our organization by participating in the 2027 Board Elections.
Serving on the AzAEYC Board of Directors is an opportunity to contribute your experience, share your perspective, and help strengthen our commitment to supporting early childhood educators, children, and families throughout Arizona.
Board nominations are open October 19 through November 15, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to review the available board positions and position descriptions before completing the online nomination/application form.
Who We Are
Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AzAEYC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit early childhood membership organization and is one of two state affiliates in Arizona of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
What We Do
AzAEYC’s signature projects include AZToolkit child care business resources, early childhood program / college accreditation, and advocacy and leadership training. For more information visit: azaeyc.org.
Serving on the AzAEYC Governing Board
AzAEYC Governing Board Members are volunteers who are elected into office by AzAEYC members. AzAEYC Governing Board Members are ambassadors for children and the early childhood workforce across the state! As a board member, you will provide leadership and drive the path of the Association.
Serving on the AzAEYC Governing Board is an extraordinary opportunity for early childhood professionals who are passionate about quality and accessible early care and education for Arizona’s youngest learners, deeply committed to the values of equity and collaboration, and skilled (or up-and-coming) leaders. As a board member, you will commit to:
Actively attend 12 board meetings per year (one time per month on the second Monday of each month) virtually and with some in-person meetings.
Contribute service including, but not limited to, attending in-person and/or virtual meetings, board retreats, community events, email correspondence, committees and workgroups, and networking in the community.
Maintain financial accountability for the organization by approving financial statements. Exercise due diligence to oversee the organization is well managed and its finances remain sound.
Share your expertise to ensure all of Arizona’s children, families and early childhood professionals thrive.
Plan and support the early childhood profession through various events. Board Members contribute in-kind hours by volunteering at events or sponsoring items.
Board members must adhere to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment and meet the expectations defined by the description for their position on the Board. Descriptions are provided on the following pages.
AzAEYC Current State: AzAEYC is in an exciting growth phase. Our early childhood professional development programs and advocacy training have gained significant traction in the community, we’ve built strong relationships with community collaborators as a trusted statewide partner, and our highly engaged and high-energy Governing Board is strategically planning for the future growth of AzAEYC.
As we build our organizational capacity, we are seeking board members with the following experience and qualities to contribute to our growth. We are looking for diverse backgrounds, individual strengths and capabilities, in addition to,
Strong belief that Arizona’s children and families deserve quality, accessible early care and education.
Willingness to be a vocal advocate for the early childhood profession and AzAEYC.
Interest in contributing or developing early childhood leadership skills to the growth of AzAEYC.
Relationships or networks with parents of young children, early childhood educators, and/or community partners.
Passion for the field and making a difference.
The current governing board and staff have reviewed our organizational needs and have identified the need for early childhood professionals and community members with the following experience, representation, and/or connections. We want to prioritize recruiting board members who are:
Infant, toddler, and preschool teachers who work directly with children
Early childhood educators who are tribal members
Bilingual English/Spanish individuals
Individuals with advocacy and policy experience (specifically in education or early learning policy at the state or national level)
Individuals with experience in business development and growth
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Call for Nominations | October 19 – November 14, 2026 |
| Deadline to submit Nominations | November 15, 2026 |
| Candidate Interviews & Slate Selection | November 16 – December 1, 2026 |
| Voting Opens | December 7, 2026 |
| Voting Closes | December 21, 2026 |
| Announcement to Members | December 30, 2025 |
| New Board Term Begins | January 1, 2027 |
Looking for experience serving on a governing board?
AzAEYC provides resources and mentorship to help you learn how to be an effective, engaged Governing Board member.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Felicia Durden, Executive Director, fdurden@azaeyc.org
