1.  Mission Statement:  The mission statement of the VAMFC as stated in the Bylaws of  the VAMFC is incorporated throughout  this Plan.

2. Guidelines:  The strategic objectives and goals of the VAMFC as stated in this Plan shall be in compliance with the following:

A.  The ethics guidelines of the American Counselors Association
B.  The Bylaws of the Virginia Counselors Association
C.  The Bylaws of the Virginia Association of Marriage and Family Counselors

        A. Membership/Marketing: (responsibility-Membership Chair)
                --Increase VAMFC membership to 175 (approx. 25 new members per year)                               7/2002
                --Create a voluntary email distribution list of the membership                                                      7/2001
                --Establish an ongoing yearly campus recruitment effort (possibly involving a
                   campus liaison person at each degree-granting institution in VA)                                            7/2002

        B. Professional Presence & Visibility: (responsibility-Prof. Development Chair)
                --Sponsor or conduct one professional activity at each VCA Conference                                  Annually
                --Establish a  VAMFC web domain to host the VAMFC website                                                 in progress
                --Maintain Board/Committee Chair presence at VAMFC exhibit throughout
                   the VCA Conference                                                                                                                          Annually
                --Develop VAMFC business cards for Board Member distribution at
                   professional functions.                                                                                                                      7/2001
                --Seek to collaborate with VCA regional organizations (i.e. joint workshops)                            Annually
                --Conduct or sponsor two professional development activities each year.                                 Semi-Annually
                --Submit a professional article on behalf of VAMFC to VCA Newsletter or Journal                  Annually

       C. Professional Advocacy: (responsibility-Liaison Chair)
                --Initiate at least one formal contact with the VA Board of Counselors each year.                    Annually
                --Keep contact with Va. Board of Counseling sufficient to stay current with Va.
                   State licensing & regulatory actions.                                                                                              Annually
                --Maintain membership on VCA liaison committee                                                                          Annually
                --Maintain contact with IAMFC Advocacy committees                                                                 Annually
                --Recommend appropriate action to VAMFC Board                                                                        As Needed
                --Report to VAMFC as necessary                                                                                                       As Needed

        D. Benefits to Membership (responsibility as noted below)
                --Conduct a triennial needs assessment of the VAMFC membership (President)                      12/2001
                --Nominate a VAMFC Member of the Year (Board)                                                                         Annually
                --Identify a recipient for the VAMFC Graduate Student Scholarship each year.                        Annually
                --Develop a position wanted/vacant listing on the VAMFC home page (state-wide
                   employment opportunities) (Web Site Committee)                                                                       2001-2002
                --Develop a current M&F literature review (listing on the VAMFC home page?)                      2001-2002
                --Create links to Professional, Family Counseling, and Mental Health Web sites
                   on the VAMFC web site (Web Site Committee)                                                                            Annually
                --Offer one grant to support marriage and family therapy research each year.                            Annually
                --Identify and initiate new membership benefits for the VAMFC (Board)

        E. Leadership (responsibility - VAMFC President)
                --Maintain at least 2 non-academic practitioners in Board Member or Committee
                   Chair positions at all times.                                                                                                              7/2001
                --Amend VAMFC Bylaws to include a “Web Site Committee” Chairperson.
                   The WPC will be responsible for VAMFC web site standards and design                             2001-02
                --Create a VAMFC “historical archive” of official action taken/activities completed.              2001-02
                --Increase the multicultural presence on the VAMFC Board or Committee Chair
                   positions by at least one member.                                                                                                  2001-02
                --Fill all VAMFC Board and Committee Chair positions                                                                2001-02

4. Continuity and Accountability: The VAMFC Board will be accountable to the VAMFC membership for the execution of this plan, and the Board will ensure that this plan receives the attention it needs from year to year, Board to Board in order for its stated goals and objectives to be achieved. The process for accountability and continuity will be:

                --During the period of this plan, “Strategic Plan Progress” shall be a permanent item under “Old Business” on
                    Board Meeting agendas.
                --During the period of this plan, a Strategic Plan Progress Report shall be included in the minutes of
                   each VAMFC Board Meeting.
                --During the period of this plan, a Strategic Plan Progress Report shall be included in each edition of
                   the VAMFC Newsletter.