Elections

AMHCA Board Elections

AMHCA encourages members to apply to be a part of the Board of Directors. It's only through your volunteer efforts that we will continue to build a strong and active association. Nominations are open for the following positions:

  • President-Elect- will serve a 3-year term. First year as President-Elect [2024-2025], a year as President [2025-2026], and a year as Immediate Past President [2026-2027]
  • North Atlantic Region Director - will serve a 3-year term starting July 1, 2024
  • Southern Region Director - will serve a 3-year term starting July 1, 2024
  • Secretary - will serve a 3-year term starting July 1, 2024
  • Parliamentarian - will serve a 3-year term starting July 1, 2024

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.
  • Thinks strategically about the future of the profession and the role of the association in the profession.


*Application window for 2024 will be open until April 22, 2024*

President-Elect

Responsibilities
The president-elect is elected by the membership. The president-elect takes the office of president on July 1 of the following year.
Role: The role of the president-elect is to serve as a voting member of the AMHCA board of directors.
Function: The functions of the president-elect include:
  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 identification 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.
Additional Functions:
  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 effective 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.

President-Elect

Courtney Ackerson

Candidate Statement

G. Michael Russo

Candidate Statement

Region Director

Responsibilities

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.

Southern Region Director

Cheryl Cummings

Candidate Statement

North Atlantic Region Director

Seth Wizwer

Candidate Statement

Secretary

Responsibilities
  • The Secretary shall collaborate with the President and Executive Director to create the agenda and materials for the Board meetings and ensure they are delivered to the Board of Directors in a timely fashion before the Board meetings.
  • The Secretary shall record the minutes of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings. 
  • The Secretary shall maintain a running list of motions and votes.
  • The Secretary shall ensure members have access to documents that are required by policy and non-profit regulations.
  • The Secretary shall perform other duties as may be assigned by policy and the Board of Directors.

Parliamentarian

Responsibilities

  • An appointed member of the BOD and EC
  • Impartially advises on rules as pertaining to all governing documents 
  • Serves a chair of the Rule Committee (committee that maintains all organizational documents for operating)
  • A Parliamentarian is an expert in rules of order and the proper procedures for the conduct of meetings. Parliamentarian assists in the drafting and interpretation of bylaws and rules of order (all of AMHCA's governing documents), and the planning and conducting of meetings.
  • Assist in supervising elections processes and procedures
  • The Parliamentarian is to be a resource to the president, to assist the president in conducting meetings. The chair can and should consult with the parliamentarian when not certain on how to rule on a question or proceed in the circumstances.
  • Advises on procedural questions in meetings and in consultation to leaders and committees/taskforces. Serves in an advisory role.
  • Reviews bylaws each year and recommends to the EC and Board
  • Provides training when needed on parliamentary procedures/Robert's Rules of Order

Election FYI

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?
Here is the full timeline of the election cycle:

  • Applications Available: March 22
  • Application Deadline: April 22
  • Voting Opens: April 29
  • "Meet the Candidates Forum" (zoom): April 30 at 7PM - Register Here
  • Voting Ends: May 29
  • Announcement of Election Results: June 11-12


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 is 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.