Transcript Slide 1

Functions of SDCA
Chapters
By Doug Hoisington & Cindy Goehring
What Is A Chapter?
According to the By-Laws…
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A Chapter consists of persons who organize on the
basis of a local geographical unit within the state in
accordance with these By-Laws.
Each Chapter shall consist of at least fifteen (15)
members by June 30 of Association year.
A Chapter may adopt its own name, but in all
instances shall identify itself as “A Chapter of the
South Dakota Counseling Association”.
A Chapter president must be a regular or retired
member in good standing of the SDCA.
South Dakota has 8 Chapters!
They are…
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Central
Cornbelt
Interlakes
Lewis & Clark
North Central
Palace Pheasant
Sioux
West River
The Purpose of a Chapter
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Provide official representation in the SDCA for
interested professional personnel in the local area.
Promote the development of the professional
resources of the Chapter in order to better meet the
needs of the persons served within the area.
Provide a reference group for the sharing of mutual
concerns and the development of professional
growth experiences which are responsible to the
expressed needs of the members.
Encourage high standards of professional conduct
by the members of the Chapter.
Duties of a Chapter
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Each Chapter shall file a year-end financial report
with the Association within 30 days after the end of
the Association fiscal year for the just ended fiscal
year.
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Each Chapter shall transmit the names of its officers
forthwith upon their election or appointment.
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Each Chapter, thirty (30) days prior to the spring
meeting of the Board of Directors, shall transmit an
annual written report setting forth its activities and its
status.
Duties of a Chapter
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Meetings of the Chapter will be held at a
minimum of four regular times a year.
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Nomination and election of officers shall be at
the last regular spring meeting.
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The President or a designee of each Chapter
is the voting member on the SDCA Board of
Directors. Each member shall have one vote.
Chapter Responsibilities
to SDCA: (See Chapter Checklist)
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Verify chapter officer information and send names to
SDCA.
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President or Designee will attend all SDCA Board
meetings.
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Solicit nominations for SDCA Awards and SDCA
President-Elect position. Begin this early on. (More
on this later)
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Appoint chapter representatives to attend Day on
the Hill.
Chapter Responsibilities
to SDCA: (See Chapter Checklist)
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Provide a list of names of people interested in
SDCA committees.
Secure an auction item(s) donation for SDCA
Graduate Student Auction Event.
Complete and send SDCA Quarterly reports.
Attend SDCA Spring Conference.
Complete and send end of year financial
report.
Responsibilities to Chapter
Members: (See Chapter Checklist)
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Annual review of chapter By-Laws.
Set goals and objectives for the year.
Plan chapter meeting schedule for the entire year.
Send membership renewal reminders.
Solicitation of new members.
Share Conference Call for Programs for the SDCA
Spring Conference.
Solicit names of chapter members deserving SDCA
awards.
Chapter Officers Should Encourage
members to:
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Consider presenting at SDCA Conference.
Attend Day on the Hill.
Pursue leadership opportunities – chapter,
specialty area and/or state office.
Submit names for awards to SDCA and Specialty
Areas.
Attend SDCA Spring Conference.
Attend professional development events
sponsored by SDCA, Chapters, & Specialty Areas
Attend chapter meetings and events – networking
and social benefits.
Chapter Officers should also…
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Utilize SDCA’s Web Page, Newsletter and
Publications to share information with the
membership.
Maintain an updated list of members.
Maintain historical data – meeting minutes,
event data, officer and committee lists, award
nominations.
Pass data on to their successor
SDCA Annual Conference
Policies (Revised July 1998)
The site of the annual SDCA Conference rotates
amongst four sites with the responsibility for
hosting the conference shared by the chapters.
 2015 Sioux Falls Convention Center – Lewis/Clark
& Interlakes
 2016 Aberdeen Ramkota – North Central
 2017 Sioux Falls Ramkota – Cornbelt & Sioux
 2018 Pierre – Central & Palace/Pheasant
 2019 Sioux Falls – Lewis/Clark & Interlakes
 2020 Rapid City – West River
 2021 Sioux Falls – Cornbelt & Sioux
How to Submit Your Award
Nominations
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Nominating counselors for the awards is the
responsibility of the entire chapter… NOT just
the president or the Chapter Officers
It is a privilege and a benefit of being a
chapter member to be able to nominate a
fellow counselor for an SDCA award
Gathering award nomination documents does
NOT have to be a chore.
Award Nominations
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Step 1: Call a Meeting
Remind members this is one of the “major
perks” of being a member…
…and maybe serve some food.
Award Nominations
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Step 2: Be Prepared
Bring everything the members need to the
meeting so that they feel empowered to
participate. Make enough copies so everyone
gets the handout.
Award Nominations
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The List
Sign up sheet that includes a spot for the members
PHONE & EMAIL ADDRESS
A list of each award with details of the criteria for
nomination (See Handout Page 2-3)
List of past award winners (This is on the Website
under Conference > Awards:
http://www.sdcounseling.org/awards.html
Sample Nomination Letter and Letters of
recommendation. (See Handout Page 5-6)
Assignment Sheet (This is just for the president as
the organizer (See Handout Page 7-8)
Phone Book (Yep… the old fashioned yellow thing
with lists of names and landline phone #s)
Award Nominations
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Step 3: Make Your Picks
Ask the group for nominees
Have some discussions
Have a silent vote if necessary
Assign everyone their tasks
Award Nominations
Use your “Assignment Sheet”
Try to give people only 1-2 assignments
Provide any on the spot phone numbers or email
addresses that you can
When considering who may write a Letter of
Nomination, Suggest: Co-workers, Pastors, Staff,
Supervisors, or People in the room
Award Nominations
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Step 4: Follow Up
After the meeting, craft an email that lists
each award and who was assigned that task
and send to all who were assigned a task.
Follow up with another email in a couple
weeks to see how people are coming along.
Offer helpful suggestions if needed.
Award Nominations
***Be Sure to Submit the Correct Documents
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The Nomination Form
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The Nominating Letter
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(See Handout Page 5 - Top)
Letter of recommendation 1
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(See Handout Page 4)
(See Page 5 – Bottom)
Letter of recommendation 2
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(See Page 6)
*A Curriculum Vitae or Professional Resume may be
submitted but is Optional.
Recruiting and Retaining
Members
Organizations are only as alive and productive as their
membership. And, as members graduate or decided to leave a
group, efforts to recruit “new blood” should be made. Not only
do new members help replace outgoing members, they also
enhance the organization by providing new ideas and energy.
Why Do People Join?
Where to find new members:
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Currently Licensed Counselors:
http://dss.sd.gov/behavioralhealthservices/docs/CounselorsMarri
ageFamily/BCEWEBLISTcurrent.pdf
Utilize existing members to share with their colleagues in:
 Private practice, Mental Health Centers, Human Service
Agencies (VOA, LSS, Etc.), Schools, Colleges, Etc.
 Pay special attention to past members and/or inactive members
Have at least one OPEN MEETING a year
Offer discounted training rates for people who are members.
When promoting fundraisers, community involvement… let
everybody know, not just members – this increases members
pride and makes people who aren’t members wonder what their
missing.
 “Local Counselors Delivery Blankets to the Homeless”
Give current members something to brag about.
Other things to consider:
Ask Questions:
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What have you done in the past for recruitment? What worked and what didn’t
work? What were your final membership numbers under your current plan?
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Membership Benefits, What will members get out of their membership? What
does your group offer that is different or unique? What rewards will be received
after one, two or three years of membership?
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Getting the Word Out, What strategies can you use to promote your group? How
can you invite students to check you out? Who do your current members know
that they can make contact with?
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Welcoming Potential Members, What are some extra special things you can do
to make potential members feel welcome and wanted in your group? What
events could you create just for new members? How can current members be a
part of the welcoming process?
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Check in with members to see if they are feeling fulfilled, looking for new
challenges, or feeling overwhelmed with responsibility.
Chapter Member Benefits
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Professional Development
Training events with CEU’s
Guest Speakers – current “hot” topics
Book Clubs and other Small Interest Groups
Networking Opportunities
Support & Guidance from your Colleagues
Opportunity to be a Voice for your Profession
in Your Community
Tips For New Officers
Make the Most Out of Your Year
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Chapter meetings – make sure the connection is
made between all the areas represented (agency,
school, graduate student, etc.)
Social events – get out in the community and have
your events in the local marketplace. Be visible.
Training Events/Professional Development – be
sure to team up with colleges, universities and other
training facilities. Also use Professional Counseling
Agencies to host or sponsor events.
Plan all the social activates/events for the entire
year and post the dates.
Tips For New Officers
Make the Most Out of Your Year
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Start with the Executive Board – this is a good way to
bond and develop a working relationship.
Be diverse in your events. Traditional events are good
so people look forward to them each year but don’t be
afraid to try new ideas. Not everyone likes to do the
same things.
Partner up with community service opportunities.
People enjoy giving back to help support their
community.
Be sure to include the spouses and significant others.
Keep the cost for the event as low as possible.
Don’t be disappointed if only a few show up. The ones
who are there will enjoy their time together.
GETTING THE HANDOUTS
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YOU WILL RECEIVE THE HANDOUTS BY
EMAIL NEXT WEEK
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING WITH
EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIAM!!!
QUESTIONS?