Advocacy -- Together We Can! 

 

ADVOCACY UPDATES:    February 14, 2010      January 30, 2010
ACA Resources & Reports	Grassroots Advocacy Primer
Virginia General Assembly	Guide to Effective Advocacy
Communicating with Virginia Legislature	Communicating with Elected Federal Officials

Legislative Day The 2010 Legislative Day was be held January 25, 2010 in Richmond at the Library of Virginia adjacent to the General Assembly Building in downtown Richmond.  Thanks to the counselors and graduate students from across Virginia that participated in making this event a success and for making our voices to be heard!    Advocacy Relations Committee   The Advocacy Relations Committee shall be responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and taking appropriate action in consultation with the President, regarding state legislation and regulations that affect counseling. Federal legislation and regulation shall also be monitored with action as appropriate in concert with the American Counseling Association. The Chair(s) of this Committee shall be appointed for a three-year term and shall serve as the Government Relations representative for Virginia and contact person with the ACA Advocacy Relations Committee through the regional chair.    2009-2010 Advocacy Committee Chair:  Marcia Obenshain, VCA President-Elect, mobenshain@mcps.org  The Chair of this Committee is encouraged to attend the ACA Convention and to be active in the American Counseling Association-Southern Region (ACASR).  The Advocacy Committee chair(s) shall be responsible for the following tasks:  Develop advocacy relations training for chapters and divisions Facilitate the formulation and writing of VCA's legislative platform Plan and host an annual Legislative Day to inform members about proposed laws or public policies that affect counselors, advocate for counselors through lobbying visits to elected representatives, and cultivate relationships between counselors and legislators during a VCA sponsored reception Watch legislation of counseling concern in close liaison with VCA's lobbyist, help formulate stategies and positions, and direct lobbying efforts Organize an advocacy relations telephone tree to alert chapters and divisions about evolving legislative and public policy issues of counseling concern that require a constituent response Solicit, review, and approve or disapprove local legislative mini-grant program requests from chapters or divisions  VCA Challenge Fund   The VCA Challenge Fund is a political action committee registered with the State Board of Elections (registration no. 910254). Monies collected for the Challenge Fund are utilized to support candidates for elected office in Virginia who support the interests and causes of the counseling profession. The Challenge Fund is managed by a separate committee and all proceeds are deposited into an account earmarked specifically for this purpose. No dues or other membership-related money may be utilized at any time by the Challenge Fund. All contributions to this fund are voluntary.