Move to Policy Governance in 2024-2025

As part of the transition to policy governance, operational committees will no longer report to the MSCA Board. Instead, those committee chairs will report to the Executive Director who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the association.

Committee Descriptions and Program Oversight

Each committee will now be led by a committee chair who is responsible for overseeing the work of their assigned committee through an annual workplan. Typically, the committee chairs will convene their committees on a regular basis (e.g., monthly) to ensure the work gets done and helps volunteers to work through obstacles. All committee chairs will meet with the Executive Director on a regular basis (e.g., monthly).

Committee Chair Job Description (General)

Four committee chairs work together, under the direction of the Executive Director, to oversee the work of committees comprised of MSCA members who volunteer their time to carry out the work of the association.

Each committee chair is responsible for:

• Participating in the Summer MSCA Leadership Development Institute 
• Creating a SMARTIE-driven annual workplan developed at the Summer MSCA Leadership Development Institute.
• Supervising the work of volunteers who execute the annual workplan for their assigned area.
• Collaborating with the Executive Director and staff to utilize and leverage the association’s resources in an efficient and effective manner.
• Convening and facilitating regular committee meetings.
• Providing regular reports on the committee’s progress to the Executive Director who will provide regular reports to the Board of Directors.
• Participating and assisting with the Annual MSCA Conference, October 26-27, 2025 both in Duluth, MN.
• Serving a two-year term as a committee chair, July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.

Volunteer Descriptions (General)

Volunteers are assigned to a specific committee and will work either independently or collaboratively (with other volunteers) to execute the assigned project(s) and/or tasks from the annual committee workplan.

Each volunteer is responsible for:

• Participating in the Summer MSCA Leadership Development Institute 
• Understanding and implementing assigned projects and tasks from the annual workplan developed at the Summer MSCA Leadership Development Institute.
• Collaborating with the Executive Director and staff to utilize and leverage the association’s resources in an efficient and effective manner.
• Participating in regular committee meetings (e.g., bimonthly).
• Participating and assisting with the Annual MSCA Conference, October 26-27, 2025 both in Duluth, MN.
• Serving a two-year term as a volunteer, July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.

Committee Descriptions

Advocacy: The committee is responsible for (1) developing and implementing an annual state and local government relations plan in collaboration with Education Minnesota; and (2) planning and executing the Annual Day on the Hill event at Education Minnesota and the State Capitol.

Communications and Member Recognition: The committee is responsible for (1) the recruitment and selection of the Minnesota School Counselor of the Year; (2) plan and communicate the Annual School Counselor Week activities; (3) the promotion of ASCA-identified RAMP schools in Minnesota; and (4) formulate all messaging for the website, e-blasts and social media (executed by Staff).

Member Education: The committee is responsible for (1) the content of the Annual Conference (logistics are the responsibility of staff); (2) planning and implementing virtual and in-person member training on each relevant topics which award CEUs; and (3) special population training and support including the School Counselors of Color and graduate students.

Membership: The committee is responsible for developing and implementing an annual plan to recruit and retain members, volunteers, and committee chairs.

Application and Deadlines

Since this is our first year in this new structure, it is possible that some volunteers may serve more than one term. We anticipate this process to be iterative, with volunteer and chair feedback being critical to not only forming the workplans but also how to make the experience most effective and rewarding.

Ideally, volunteer and chair terms are staggered. That is, they depart and start their terms on different time frames, so we don’t lose everyone, every two years. If you think you can only commit to one year, please note that in your application and don’t let it hold you back from applying!

Questions? 

Email [email protected]  

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!