You should have received your ballot for new Board of Director positions for AAMFT. The deadline for voting is August 15. It is important that the central office hears from the membership. Generally, only a small percentage of members, nationwide, vote in the Board elections.

This year is even more important for your voice to be heard. As several emails from our President, Ronnie Zuesmann, have noted, there is another attempt to change the by-laws of AAMFT. This change, if it occurs, will have dramatic impact on our local efforts as marriage and family therapists as it will, effectively, eliminate the state divisions. There are options available for attempting to maintain a more local presence for mft’s in the states and jurisdictions and the VAMFT Board of Directors is working hard to find a path that is viable and economically feasible. However, the change will happen (or not) depending on a 2/3 vote of the membership. If only a small percentage actually vote, the outcome may be determined by a minority of AAMFT members. I urge you to carefully consider your stance on this major change and, regardless of which option you may choose, please vote! We have recently seen what can happen when folks do not exercise their franchise and, in microcosm, it could happen to us.

If you have questions, please call me or email me and I will be more than happy to discuss the pros and cons of this proposal.

Arnold Woodruff, LMFT

Executive Director, VAMFT

(804) 370-6154