Leadership that Works: How can you help? 2013 Committee Chair Training

Committee Chairs as Leaders Have a passion for counseling Recognize the importance of TCA and of committee work Aspire to provide leadership to others Believe in advocating for the counseling profession and those who are served

How to Get Started Identify committee members Send an initial welcome (July 31) Schedule a conference call or meeting (early September) Review TCA Strategic Directions and Specific Strategies Review appropriate by-laws Create an agenda before meetings or conference call

Engaging Your Committee Vital that committee members recognize the importance of committee work and the impact on TCA members Engage all members of the committee Some willing to talk and plan Others are great at research, writing an article, making calls, creating survey, etc. Make it a group decision-making process Use individual’s strengths

Committee Strategic Plan Identify Target Groups Primary groups Who will receive your message/goal? What makes them a primary group? Secondary groups Identify others that will benefit or will have an interest in your goals

Strategic Plan Development – Cont. Identify important points – Sample points LPCs are required to get CEUs TCCA annual conference – targeted sessions for college counselors TCA professional growth conference has one of the lowest registration rates of any, large, organization’s conference Increased prevalence of campus violence State emphasis to increase retention and graduation rates 15 – 24 highest rate of mental health diagnosis

Resources Available for Committees Identify Resources - Samples Print LPC Brochures Division Brochures Membership Brochure Multi-media College Counseling DVD School Counseling CD Membership PowerPoint On-line training through TCA Skilled members who can share information through presentations and written articles

Committee SWOT Analysis Key SWOT Questions: Strengths: What do we do exceptionally well? What advantages do we have? What assets and resources do we have? What do members identify as our strengths? Weaknesses: What could we do better? What are we criticized for? Where are we vulnerable? What do we receive complaints about? Opportunities: What opportunities do we know about, but have not addressed? Are there emerging trends on which we can capitalize? Threats: Is there significant change coming? What external factors impact our group? What economic conditions are we facing?

Committee SWOT Analysis Key SWOT Sample Answers: Strengths: TCCA has dedicated leaders State organization for professional college counselors Support of institutions for professional development Strong advocacy for profession Weaknesses: Communication format Past regional focus Other college organizations: JSPAT Professional identity Behind the scene department Opportunities: Several large community college districts untapped Professional college counselors under attack – unifying Collaboration with faculty Threats: Potential losses due to downsizing and outsourcing Lack of knowledge of services by decision makers Continuing budgets cuts in higher education

Benefits of Strategic Plan Extremely helpful to work through this process Encourages all committee members to identify goals, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats Reinforces use of TCA strategic goals Allows for continuity of planning throughout the year Keeps the committee on track even though activities may change throughout the year

Organizing a Conference Call Communicate via with board members regarding available times well in advance. Record meetings Decided date and time and notify TCA ED and TCA President. (Use Doodle) Send an agenda with the instructions for conference call. Send a meeting and assignment reminder a day or so ahead of the call. Include an agenda and other handouts for the meeting with the reminder. Start and stop the meeting on time!! Record meeting or send a summary of meeting notes to committee members as soon after as possible.

Report Writing Made Simple Your committee is already aligned with the TCA strategic plan The committee strategic plan is built on the TCA strategic directions You have your meeting summaries and action plans in your summaries Review as you complete the report to identify action needed by Finance Committee, and/or the Board and Senate

Report Example Strategic Direction: II Optimizing Resource a: Maximize Technology – Example EEF Communicate quarterly via conference calls Create on-line rubric for evaluating applications Develop on-line contribution capabilities Track recipients and encourage journal articles and presentations Promote EEF Funds to outlying schools and communities for professional growth opportunities

Enjoy Your Time as a Leader Meet new people Make new friends Learn from others Advocate for your profession Know you are part of the most outstanding professional counseling organization in the country.

Thank you for sharing this time with me!! Have a fun, production year!!