Advisory Panel

The Advisory Panel is composed of representatives from Affiliated Organizations and NYSCSS Committee Chairs.  The Advisory Panel meets with the President and Board of Directors to provide recommendations on behalf of their members for programs, services, and policies of the Council. 

Local Council Affiliates

Affiliation with the New York State Council for the Social Studies is open to any group of individuals which has the same purpose and goals as NYSCSS and meets the criteria below. Any social studies council at the local or regional level may affiliate directly with NYSCSS, provided that the general mission, goals and policies of the council are consistent with those of NYSCSS. NYSCSS will not encourage the organization or affiliation of a council to function within the same geographic area served by an existing affiliate.

Benefits of Affiliation with NYSCSS

• Your council contact information will be listed on the NYSCSS website, and you may include “Affiliated with the New York State Council for the Social Studies” in your communications (Use of NYSCSS logo and mission statement must be  in accordance with NYSCSS guidelines)

• NYSCSS can support your organization’s goals and programs through co-sponsorships and marketing tools. 

• Through NYSCSS, your organization can connect with councils across the state. 

• Your president will have a seat on the NYSCSS Advisory Panel, amplifying your voice in the  issues important to your teachers and to the field of social studies in general.

• NYSCSS can support you in creating and maintaining your legal and financial nonprofit status.

Criteria for Affiliation

The president of each council seeking or maintaining affiliation with NYSCSS must verify its eligibility with an annual submission of this information to NYSCSS.   The affiliation application will be made via Google Form and will be due annually by September 15th.  The application will be sent to currently affiliated local councils.  Non-affiliated councils should contact Janis Schachter, VP Policy & Administration at vppolicyadmin@nyscss.org.  

To be affiliated with NYSCSS, local councils must demonstrate that they have met these criteria: 

• Offer membership privileges that are similar to those in NYSCSS. For example, anyone who pays dues is a full voting member, and the organization raises the voices of all social studies professionals in an organization with democratic procedures for the election of officers, and which strives to create an organizational culture that is inclusive,  where all voices are encouraged, supported and celebrated. 

• Adoption and adherence to bylaws with NYSCSS that reflect the current rules and practices of NYSCS. Bylaws must be filed with NYSCSS. 

• Participation in at least two NYSCSS programs

• Active registration as a non-profit corporation within New York and the completion of all required annual reviews, audits, and other requirements to maintain active incorporation within New York

• Annual filing of the appropriate IRS Form 990. IRS Form 990s can be viewed at Guidestar.org or at the IRS website. 

2023-2024 Affiliates:

Association of Teacher of Social Studies/UFT

Capital District Council for the Social Studies

Central New York Council for the Social Studies

Mid-Hudson Council for the Social Studies

Westchester-Lower Hudson Council for the Social Studies

Standing Committee Chairs

Awards

Laura Mecca-Retzlaff 

Budget and Finance

Timothy Potts

Communications

Erik Olander

Convention Planning

Allison Weller

Cultural Education

Rob Drysielski & James Jenkins

Elementary School

Teresa Roets

High School

Meghan Michalski 

Higher Education

Kristi Fragnoli

Human Rights

Michelle Penyy

Allison Weller

Membership

Janis Schachter

Nominations

Tom Michalek

Sites

Timothy D. Potts

Technology

Ed Finney & James Mendonis