Annual Elections

The Virginia Art Therapy Association holds elections in order for members to choose Executive Board Officers. Elections are held yearly, and stagger terms of office by electing some officers in even numbered years and some in odd years.  Representatives are appointed each year by the new board. 

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Elections in odd numbered years will elect President, Secretary, and Delegate to the Assembly of Chapters.

Elections in even numbered years will elect Vice President, Membership and Treasurer.

The board may hold "Special Elections" should an officer be unable to complete their term of office. 

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Nominations for officers and representatives are accepted from September to October, and members elect new officers by November. The new board will appoint the new representatives each January.

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Executive Board Officers serve for a two (2) year term and and may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office. Unless there has not been a successor elected.

Representatives serve one (1) year terms appointed by the board. Representatives may serve no more than three (3) consecutive terms. 

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The term of office shall commence on January 1 for the newly elected officers and newly appointed representatives.

Individuals who are Professional and Credentialed Professional Members of VATA shall be eligible to hold office in the Chapter. New Professional members of VATA may hold the position of Member Representative or Regional Representative and may sit on committees as appointed by the president. Student members may hold the position of Student or Social Media Representative and may sit on committees as appointed by the President. New Professional and Student Representatives will be mentored by an identified officer of the Executive Board. Community Patron members may not hold the position of representatives, but may serve on committees as appointed by the president. 
 

2021 Elections

(Terms of Service January 2022- December 2023)

President

Secretary

Delegate to the Assembly of Chapters

2019 Elections

Term 2020-2022

President, Secretary, and Delegate to the Assembly of Chapters -

These are two year terms to be held by Professional Members.

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Role of the President

Conducting a meeting is one of the most effective means of displaying your role as a leader. Prepare and review the agenda in advance.

1. You are an ex-officio member of all committees. You have the same right as other committee members, but you are not obligated to attend committee meetings nor are you counted upon in determining if a quorum is present. Try to show your support through communication and attendance at the various meetings.

2. Learn to delegate responsibilities. As President, you conduct the meeting and maintain the organization’s format. However, listen to the voice of the membership – it is their organization.

3. Direct, assist, support, recognize, trust and enjoy your Chapter leadership role.

4. Maintain contact with AATA as needed and appropriate.

5. Hold regular Board Meetings to:

• Establish Chapter goals and objectives for the year. Consider the chapter’s strategic plan. Address the above at the first meeting of each year.

• Review committee assignments and progress.

• Formulate/review policies by which the Chapter will function.

• Prepare an agenda for the Business Meeting.

     7. Board Meeting scheduling:

• Plan Board Meetings so that officers can attend.     

• Appoint committee chairs prior to the first Board Meeting so they may attend.

• Establish Board Meeting times and notify all members. At the time of notification, ask for suggestions for agenda items.(Secretary may provide support in this area)

• Prepare an agenda for the meeting and give a copy to the Secretary for advanced distribution.

• Conduct the meeting in a structured manner in order to cover the agenda items within a reasonable period of time. (Secretary may provide support in this role)

            8. President will work along with the Vice President to mentor any appointed student representative (See: Representative Roles).

Note: It is suggested that any person nominated for the role of President have past experience on the Chapter Board of Directors, committee chair,  or similar role in an organization.

Role of the Secretary/ Director of Social Media

1. Be responsible for all official Chapter correspondence as directed or requested by the President. Assure that then President receives a copy of all official correspondence received and distributed.

2. Accurately record, transcribe and distribute to all Board Members, within 30 days, the minutes of all official meetings of the Board of the Chapter.

3. Must have writing, editing, and computer/technology experience.

4. Maintain an accurate, up-to-date file of officers and all official correspondence and minutes (working documents remain on the google drive and official chapter documents are managed on Glasscubes)

5. Be familiar with the Chapter Bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order, and help Chapter follow these.

6. Secretary is also social media lead (Director of Social Media). Must have experience with social networking and understanding of website maintenance /updating (or would have enough technology experience to be trained in this task).

   1. Design and distribute newsletters and other published materials.

   2. Responsible for writing, collecting, editing and posting art therapy blogs on Wordpress.

   3. Responsible for promotion of VATA news and events through social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

   4. Mentor website maintenance and updates which may include work to support the Treasurer in collection of fund for events via Pay-Pal.

Role of the Delegate to the Assembly of Chapters 

There can be two delegates (Official and Alternate). They are elected by the voting membership or appointed by the President of each Chapter.

a. One Delegate is known as the Official Delegate, represents each Chapter, and is entitled to vote and hold office in the Assembly of Chapters.

b. The second Delegate is known as an Alternate and serves only if the Official Delegate is unable to serve and if the Speaker, Assembly of Chapters has been officially notified by the President of the Chapter.

1. Duties of Delegates

a. Each Chapter Delegate is responsible for attending all sessions of the Assembly of Chapters and represents his/her Chapter by presenting the views and concerns of his/her constituents before the Assembly. Delegates are also responsible for communication back to the Chapter of any proceedings and actions taken by the Assembly.

b. Delegates are responsible for submitting the required information/documents (updated information, officers and committee chairs, etc.) concerning their Chapters to the American Art Therapy Association, Inc. annually.

c. Delegates can serve as their Chapter Governmental Affairs Representatives, receive and distribute legislative information provided by the National Association Governmental Affairs Committee, and report state legislative activities to the National Association’s Governmental Affairs Committee Chairperson.

d. Delegates may serve on Assembly committees and are entitled to vote and hold office in Assembly positions. Delegates who are elected to an Assembly office may not simultaneously hold office on the Board of Directors of the National Association except if serving as the Speaker of the Assembly, who automatically serves as a member of the national Board of Directors.

e. An Alternate Delegate serves only when the Chapter’s Official Delegate is unable to serve. At such time as the Official Delegate is able to return to his/her term of service, the Alternate Delegate steps down and the Official Delegate again assumes the role of the Chapter’s Official Delegate.

f. Alternate delegates may attend all sessions of the Assembly but are not entitled to vote unless they are officially representing their Chapter.

g. Non-voting delegates may be granted permission to speak by majority vote of the voting delegates.

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