Mission Accomplished

I thank all of our association members for giving me the opportunity to serve as your USCA president for 2017-2018. It has truly been an incredible year and an honor to be trusted with this position. A president does not serve alone – I congratulate and thank our board members for their service. We accomplished amazing things this year.
 
Our theme this year was Mission Possible – Agents of Change. As counselors, you have proven in hundreds of ways that your mission is possible. I believe that we, as a board, also accomplished our mission to advocate for you and for our profession, to provide outstanding professional development and to strengthen our association to insure that the association is able to continue to work for you and be a strong advocating force in the future.
 
Advocacy
Agents of Change . . . we are able to celebrate a huge victory for school counselors in Utah with the passing and funding of HB264, the Elementary School Counseling Program. HB264 was passed and funded because of a huge effort by our board and by counselors like you who took time to meet us on Capitol Hill during the legislative session, emailed your representatives and senators and told your stories. I challenge you to continue with your advocacy efforts. Continue to share your stories and successes with your stakeholders and your legislators, and continue to advocate for elementary school counselors in your individual districts.
 
Professional Development
Our fall conference, Mission Possible – Agents of Change, was a two-day conference held at the Provo Marriott October 12-13, 2017. It provided a range of professional development for elementary, middle and high school counselors on a variety of topics including trauma-informed counseling, mental health and college and career readiness. Conference vendors provided enough revenue to fund four $1,000 student scholarships. Our annual summit provided timely information on restorative practices in schools. You can access these resources on our website.
 
Strengthening for the Future
I am pleased to publically welcome our new executive director, Judi Pickell. I am confident that our new presidency – Holly Bell, president; Michelle Glaittli, president-elect; and Hillary Emmer, president-elect-elect – in conjunction with our executive director will strengthen the association and provide a sound structure to continue to serve our members into the future.
 
These last three years have been life changing and I thank you for the opportunity to serve.
 
Monique Hadley, USCA Past President