The Commission on Professional Affairs is established by the PES Constitution in Article V, Section I:
“There shall be a Commission on Professional Affairs, the function of which is to examine for the Society all issues related to the conduct of its professional affairs, and in consultation with the President and Executive Board, to take relevant action, subject to review by the Society.”
The Constitution establishes the membership of the Commission in Article V, Section II:
“Members of the Commission shall be the President of the Society, ex officio, and five members elected to staggered terms of five years from the membership of the Society. No elected member of the Commission may hold another elective office in the Society while a member of the Commission. Members shall be elected in the same manner as provided in the Bylaws for the election of officers of the Society.”
The mandate in the Constitution is fairly broad (“all issues related to the conduct of” PES’s professional affairs) and has been interpreted differently over time. Recent examples include the redevelopment of the PES website, connecting and collaborating with other professional societies, and the development of the white paper series, GroundWorks. Activities that the commission engages in respond to issues that arise for the organization and promote the visibility of PES and philosophy of education more broadly.
The Committee Chair convenes the meetings and monitors the progress of the committee.
March (during conference)
COPA meeting
Gather suggestions from membership regarding particular paper topics for and potential authors
Develop COPA report for previous year
Present (abbreviated) report at Business Meeting
March (post conference)
Wrap up conference activities
April - March
Check in with GroundWorks editor re: topic for paper, authors, deadlines
Organization and coordination of conference session and other activities
November 1 - Submit proposal for a conference session