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AMHCA Board Elections

AMHCA elections your chance to help lead the association dedicated to positioning clinical mental health counselors to meet the health care needs of those we serve while advancing the profession.

Every year, 3 of the 9 members of AMHCA’s board of directors, including the immediate past-president, complete their terms of service. AMHCA invites nominations for the election of the association’s board of directors to fill those three vacancies.

There are several benefits to serving on the AMHCA board:

• Play a vital role in the organization
• Opportunity to advance the profession of mental health counseling,
• Chance to collaborate with other leaders and colleagues,
• Access to cutting edge information about the challenges facing the profession

AMHCA values and is seeking diverse leadership as defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, professional level, etc.

We are seeking those who have the following attributes:

• Demonstrated leadership commitment and involvement with AMHCA and the non-profit community. For instance, someone who has served on an AMHCA committee or task force, serves at the state level in one of our affiliated chapters or is currently an AMHCA diplomate. Leaders who strive to be the voice of clinical mental health counselors across the US
• Has expertise in the field of clinical mental health counseling and demonstrated dedication to the field. Examples include familiarity with federal and state regulations, private practice, community mental health, integrated care, counselor education and evidenced-based practices, ethics to name a few.
• Committed to monthly board meetings and to attending the AMHCA Annual Conferences. Willing to dedicate time and effort to serving the members of the organization.
• Ability to work collaboratively and engage in appropriate debate and discussions on a professional and positive level.
• Thinks strategically about the future of the profession and the role of the association in the profession.

1. Submitting the annual AMHCA plan of action and budget for board approval and filing the two progress reports and the end-of-year report. The plan of action is to be built on the goals in the AMHCA strategic plan for the upcoming year.
2. In the absence of the president, assuming the role of president with all of its authority and responsibility.
3. Serving on the AMHCA Executive Committee.
4. Serving on the AMHCA Finance Committee.
5. Serving as liaison to AMHCA committees and task forces and other AMHCA entities as assigned and to other organizations, institutions, and associations as appropriate.
6. Carrying out responsibilities as requested at all board meetings, AMHCA convention.
7. Assisting in the identifi cation and mentoring of members to serve in any upcoming vacancies or expired appointed positions, e.g., committee chairs, editors.
8. Planning and implementing activities to provide transition for incoming and outgoing board member
9. Writing articles for The Advocate Magazine.

1. Nominate members to serve on open positions for all standing committees. Such nominations shall be presented and approved at the Spring Board of Directors meeting that occurs during the term of the President-Elect. If approved, the nominations shall become eff ective on July 1 when the President-Elect assumes the office of President.
2. Review the AMHCA Leadership Policies and Procedures handbook and discuss recommendations for revision of any portion with relevant staff, board members, or committee chairs. Bring recommendations for revisions to the Spring AMHCA Board meeting held during the President-Elect’s term.

Fredrick Dombrowski

Candidate Statement

1. Submitting the Finance Committee’s annual plan of action and budget for board approval. The plan of action is to be built on the goals in the AMHCA strategic plan for the upcoming year.
2. Submitting reports of income and expenditures to the board of directors before each board meeting.
3. Recommending revisions in AMHCA fiscal policies to the board of directors.
4. Presenting the annual budget to board of directors for approval at spring Board of Directors meeting. The Finance Committee is guided by the AMHCA strategic plan in the formulation of the recommended budget.
5. Reporting mid-year and end-of-year fiscal data for publication in the Advocate.
6. Overseeing the implementation of the functions of the Finance Committee.

James J. Messina

Candidate Statement

A region director is elected from each of the four geographic regions. The term of office is three years.
Role: The role of the region director is to serve as a voting member of the AMHCA Board of Directors. To represent the respective region in matters that require board decision, to serve as AMHCA in the region.

1. Creating a plan of action in accordance with AMHCA strategic plan by: Formulating goals and plan of actions for the year. Reporting progress to the board meeting. Summarizing goals at the end of the year.
2. Representing the interests, needs, and concerns of mental health counselors in their respective region and to serve as liaison between the state board and national organization.
3. Overseeing and coordinating the work of the assistant regional director to promote the needs and interests of those represented in the region.
4. Serving as liaison to AMHCA committees and other AMHCA entities as assigned and to other organizations, institutions, and associations as appropriate.
5. Developing leadership through participating in leadership training, and supporting the development of emerging leaders for AMHCA and state branches. Review state chapter’s standards and procedure for annual charter renewal and make recommendations to the AMHCA board of directors.
6. Carrying out responsibilities as requested at all board meetings and other special meetings.
7. Writing articles for the Advocate.

Cynthia L. Jamison

Candidate Statement

Keith Klostermann

Candidate Statement

Aaron Norton

Candidate Statement

Voting members will receive an e-ballot notification message that will include a hyperlink to their ballot. To vote, simply click the link within the email to open your ballot. Members who do not wish to vote electronically may request a paper ballot. 

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine who to vote for?
Each candidate will submit a statement about their experience and goals that will be published on this site throughout the voting window.

When does the election process start?
AMHCA will announce through email and the magazine when nominations are open as well as when candidate statements are posted and voting begins.

When does the election end?
We will announce when voting begins and ends in an email to members. When the votes have been tallied we will announce the winners of the election.


How do I get a ballot?
If you are a voting member, you will receive an e-ballot via email.


Who do I contact if I do not receive a ballot?
Only voting members may vote and hold elected office in the association. Please email wmeyerhoeffer@amhca.org if you are a voting member and have not received a ballot.


When will the results of the election be announced?
The results will be announced on AMHCA.org, the weekly newsletter and in the magazine.

Who am I voting for and for how long?
We will announce the positions we that need to be filled when nominations open and throughout the voting period.

Committee and Task Force Recruitment

Committee recruitment begins in January of each year with a call for nominations for open positions on various AMHCA committees.

Task Force recruitment begins when a new task force has been created and on an as-needed basis.