The OHIO COUNSELING ASSOCIATION is the professional organization representing all licensed counselors, and those in graduate training to be counselors, in Ohio.

 Promote and Advance the Profession of Counseling in Ohio

 Formed in 1967 as the Ohio Personal Guidance Association  Renamed OCAD in 1984 and OCA in 1992  1st All Ohio Counselors Conference (Fall 1983)  Has had 47 Presidents

 Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues in Counseling of Ohio (ALGBTIC of Ohio)  Ohio Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (OACES)  Ohio Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development (OAMCD)  The Ohio Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (OAMCD)  Ohio Mental Health Counselors Association (OMHCA)  Ohio Career Development Association (OCDA)  Ohio Association for Specialists in Group Work (OASGW)  Ohio School Counselor Association (OSCA)  Ohio Association for Spiritual, Ethical, & Religious Values in Counseling (OASERVIC)

Central Ohio Counseling Association (COCA) Eastern Ohio Counselors Association (EOCA) Greater Cincinnati Counseling Association (GCCA) Miami Valley Counseling Association (MVCA) Northwest Ohio Counseling Association (NWOCA) Southeast Ohio Counseling Association (SEOCA) North Central Ohio Counseling Association (NCOCA)

 Access to a comprehensive website that provides a wealth of information. Reduced cost to professional development such as the All Ohio Counselors Conference, workshops and other sponsored programs.  Receipt of Continuing Education Units for counselor license and certificate renewal.  Ability to pose questions, comments and concerns to the OCA Executive Council.  Participation in the OCA listserv  Increased professional identity through participation with state divisions/chapters and national associations.  Receipt of quarterly newsletter, Guidelines.  Legislative advocacy support to promote professional counseling and the rights of counselors to provide public service.  Liaison support to the Ohio Counselor and Social Worker board, Ohio Department of Education and other professional boards.  Recognition of accomplishments of members through the annual awards program.  Access to the Journal of Counselor Practice

 Composed of the executive director, current president, president-elect, past-president, treasurer, secretary, committee chairs, division presidents and chapter presidents ◦ The PAC President, OCA lobbyist, editor of the JCP, Guidelines and webmaster also attend these meetings  Four official meetings a year  Meets during the AOCC for a status report

 AWARDS NEWSLETTER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS JOURNAL OF COUNSELOR PRACTICE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OCSWMFT BOARD LIASON  BYLAWS FINANCE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS MEMBERSHIP

 Election Process  Terms for Positions  Appointment of Treasurer and Secretary, Committee Chairs

Who me? A leader?

 First – Join OCA!  Pick your Chapter and Join a Division  Contact Chapter/Division President and express interest  Contact the board – You have something to offer!  Attend AOCC and other board sponsored trainings  Advocacy