The Arkansas School Counselor Association is active, thriving, and an amazing organization of which to be a part. At summer conference in July, Lisa Riels was passed the gavel to lead our organization for the 2017-18 year. She shared her excitement and honor to serve as ArSCA president. However, due to a job change to a postsecondary position, Lisa was no longer eligible to fulfill her duties as president as outlined in ASCA bylaws. At the August board meeting, Lisa presented her resignation to the board. She will continue to work with our board in the appointed position of membership chair. I assure you that your ArSCA board is making sure that we are aligning our state organization with ASCA and the bylaws governing our organization. I will be fulfilling the remainder of Lisa’s term and will then fulfill my elected year term of 2018 -2019. Lisa’s vision for this year was to strengthen our organization by promoting our working together to increase membership, provide professional benefits to members, and to advocate for the work that all Arkansas counselors are doing each day.
As school counselors, we are a part of a team each and every day as we work with teachers and administrators to provide the very best for our students. Lisa had chosen TEAM to be her theme for this year and I will continue with that vision. Vince Lombardi once said, "Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."
Arkansas School Counselor Association has a rich history of amazing counselors who have made a strong difference in the lives of our students. Our challenge to Arkansas school counselors will be to continue to make positive change with our students, administrators, and teachers. #TEAMWORK
Feel free to contact me or any of your ArSCA board members with your thoughts or ideas for making this year a success as we work as a TEAM!