Pursuant to the recent vote on revised by-laws and subject to final sign-off from AAMFT, VAMFT is no longer a division of AAMFT. This outcome is the result of the change in AAMFT by-laws that required some change in the various divisions, removing the historic dual membership requirement, I.e., members were required to join both the national association AND their respective division. When this requirement was dissolved, it become necessary for the divisions to select from several optional organizational options, including ending the division entirely. The VAMFT Board of Directors unanimously decided to propose to the membership that VAMFT continue as a wholly independent not-for-profit rather than any of the other options,  The option of becoming independent was overwhelming selected by VAMFT’s membership (107 – 8). The current VAMFT Board of Directors will continue as the Board of the “new” VAMFT, but many things, e.g., the logo, will be changing. A new dues structure will be created and current VAMFT members will be invited to join (or, technically) re-join VAMFT.

Please be patient as we move into this new territory. Call me or email me with questions, suggestions or concerns.  It is not clear that the Executive Director position will continue as we move forward, but we will try to keep you informed.  In the mean time, we urge you to remain members of AAMFT; join the FamilyTEAM to promote and support mft advocacy issues at both state and local levels; and, more than anything, stay try to the systemic principles that provide us, as mft’s, a powerful set of interventions to help the families, couples and individuals that we serve.

Arnold Woodruff, Executive Director, VAMFT

awoodruffmac@mac.com; (804) 370-6154