Dear SMHCA Member,
We are pleased to invite you to become a member of the SMHCA Board for 2020-2021. We welcome you to join the board as a committee member or to express your interest in becoming a Standing Committee Chair. Standing Committee Chairs will be appointed by the President and approved by the majority of a quorum of the Board to serve a term of one year with voting privileges. Each committee may have as many members as desired. The board meets nine times a year directly after each SMHCA training on the 3rd Friday of the month for approximately an hour. Standing Committee Chairs meet with their committee members on their own and submit committee reports prior to the board meetings.
The Board conducts and manages the business of the Association in accordance with the Bylaws. The Board is empowered to approve and disapprove membership applications, appoint and remove committee chairs, appoint members to office if a vacancy occurs, approve and disapprove expenditures, approve and disapprove projects, and undertake other actions for the organization that are not contrary to the Bylaws.
Standing Committee Chair appointments and Committees needing members that are available for 2020-2021:
Finance - Chaired by the Treasurer. Prepares a budget for the upcoming fiscal year and presents it to the Board for approval at the first meeting of the fiscal year. The Committee produces monthly reports and for the end of the year to provide the Board with an accounting of income and expenditures. They may submit revisions to the approved budget as it becomes necessary or expedient. (Chair position filled by 2020-2021 Treasurer)
Legislative - Informs and enlists the support of the Board and membership regarding key legislation and political activity related to mental health counseling. The committee will act as a liaison between SMHCA, FMHCA, and its lobbyists in the identification and action on laws, programs and practices affecting the practice of mental health counseling. (Appointment for Chair made for the 2020-2021; pending Board approval)
Membership - Actively promotes SMHCA and FMHCA membership. Members will include the Counselor Educator Representative, the Registered Intern Representative, the Graduate Student Representative, and other members as appointed by the Chair and/or the President.
Nominations - The duties of the Nominating Committee shall include securing validation of eligibility and consent of nominees for each office ad presenting a slate of prepared candidates by the April general meeting. The Nominating Committee shall establish policies and procedures to ensure that only ballots returned by SMHCA members will be counted.
Professional Development - Assesses the professional development needs of the membership and plans, coordinates, and ensures the presentation of workshops and the provision of CEUs.
Public and Community Relations - Promotes all Association events using appropriate advertisement media including social networking sites. Works closely with the Board and all Committee Chairpersons to relay their interests and concerns to the members and the public as appropriate. The Committee will promote understanding and positioning of mental health counseling to the public, third party payers, employers, and other professionals.
Nominations - The duties of the Nominating Committee shall include securing validation of eligibility and consent of nominees for each office ad presenting a slate of prepared candidates by the April general meeting. The Nominating Committee shall establish policies and procedures to ensure that only ballots returned by SMHCA members will be counted.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to consider being a part of the SMHCA Board. I am available to discuss any questions you may have. You can reach me by phone at 813-245-2181 or via email at serendipity10954@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Delia “Janice” LaTorre, LMHC
SMHCA President