President’s Letter: Representation Matters

“Sharing One Vision & One Voice: Strengthening Relationships Among Professional School Counselors” This slogan is on both the OSCA website and tops each of my OSCA board agendas as a visual reminder of my belief. Our organization is growing and has meaningful goals, but it can only be the best version of itself if it truly has a shared vision and voice. The OSCA board recently spent a cold, rainy Saturday in “The Trenches” (a book we read in preparation for our retreat) participating in a training summit to ask ourselves how to be more deliberate in following this principle. We discovered that we did not wish to be an “accidental board;” our desire is to be an “intentional board.”
 
In my previous letter written on the eve of the election, I espoused the need for ordinary people to do extraordinary things. I admired the many educators who had both hope and courage to step up to the challenges of making our state the best version of itself. The winners have taken their oaths and are ready to meet the needs of their constituents. Our legislators come from all walks of life, but all felt the need to make a difference. So how did someone like me answer the call to make a difference? Someone asked me if I was interested in getting more involved with OSCA. Someone else told me they were recruiting board members and asked if I would accept a board position. I said yes and so did the OSCA membership. School counselors have a natural inclination to instill confidence in our students; however, don’t forget to do the same for your colleagues. If you have those skills that OSCA needs to create a premium organization, or you know someone who does, don’t be afraid to step up to the challenge or to encourage a colleague to do the same.
 
What would our communities, cities, and state be like if they didn’t maintain equal representation? Could they effectively represent their peers? That is the same standard behind needing school counselors around the state to participate in OSCA at different levels; member, student, affiliate, retired, committee member and board member. We are eager to serve all school counselors in our state and will be asking for your help. Keep your eyes open for a survey coming soon as we seek to tap into your vision and to hear your voice. As we organize and review our operations, we will be seeking volunteers to serve on various committees.
 
We all share a common bond as school counselors and hold our profession in high regard. Our jobs are diverse, our membership is diverse, and so must our representation be equally diverse. There is plenty of room at the table. Representation matters, and so do you.
 
Contact Mary Beth Lykins, OSCA president, at mblykins@gmail.com.