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Letter From Our President

Submitted by denineha on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:42am

Dear NMCA Members:

We just returned from the TCA 54th Annual Professional Growth and Conference in Austin, TX. We experienced so many great workshops. I always look forward to this conference. Not only is it an opportunity to gain knowledge from the workshops, it is also an opportunity to network with colleagues, and friends, and enjoy the venue. Also, I love to visit the exhibit hall and collect stress balls for my students and clients at every conference. My students always know when I have been to a conference, because they notice the new stress balls that I bring back.

Advocacy – Who's Business, Is It?

Submitted by John Shirley on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:39am

…If not us, then who? Denine Hammonds and I represented NMCA at the recent TCA Advocacy Institute in Austin. Our chapter, and many TCA divisions and other local chapters were represented at the institute. We were challenged to actively and passionately discharge our advocacy responsibilities, especially this coming year. The Texas Legislature is meeting in Austin for 140 days (as specified by our constitution) beginning in January. It is going to be a tough year, since the state is in deficit some 20 billion dollars (+ or – depending on who’s figures you use).

Current news from Texas Counseling Association

Submitted by dianne on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:36am

• The TCA public service announcement is running in several major cities. Unfortunately, they are having a difficult time getting airtime in both the Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston markets. If you have any contacts with our local television or radio stations please let us know. The PSA is very powerful.

Texas Counseling Association

NMCA and you…

Submitted by dianne on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:35am

• What are your expectations from your chapter? Let us know.
• NMCA is run by volunteers. We hope you will think about volunteering. You may have checked a box on a form in the past, mentioned something at a workshop, or simply thought you might like to help. We need you to let us know through the NMCA website about your interest.

Notes from the Senator

Submitted by Mary Donaghey on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:34am

Great news from the recent senate meeting:
• ACA approved TCA’s by-laws. They will be used as a guideline for other state’s by-law reviews. NMCA by-laws are structured after the TCA version.
• Financially, TCA is sound and has had a successful audit. Our own finances are also in a good situation.
• There are 6,150 TCA members as of 10/31/10. The goal is to have 6,800 members by next November. Are you a TCA member? Check out the benefits of membership at their website.

Frisco ISD and the Olweus Bullying Program

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:31am

As a Student Assistance Coordinator in Frisco ISD, I had the opportunity to attend a three-day “Training of Trainers” (TOT) for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), hosted by my district. Also attending were James Caldwell, the other Student Assistance Coordinator in the district, and school counselors, principals, and other student services employees from several other states and the Virgin Islands! One of the trainees was a principal who had recently had a suicide at her school that was at least partly precipitated by bullying.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP)

Choices Seminar

Submitted by dawnwebb on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:26am

I recently attended a 3-part growth seminar entitled Choices. It is not a counseling seminar but rather a self-help experience that imparts new tools for living life. I am writing about it in this newsletter because it is held locally in the DFW area and some of your clients or colleagues may have attended or may benefit. Here is an excerpt from their press release for a little more information:

Choices Seminars

Lewisville ISD and Rachel’s Challenge

Submitted by anavazqu on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:18am

Last spring the counselors at Peters Colony Elementary applied for a grant through the Lewisville Education Foundation in hopes of receiving funds for a program titled: Rachel's Challenge. In September, we were awarded the funds and are very pleased with the positive impact Rachel's Challenge has made thus far on our campus.

Rachel’s Challenge
sharon's picture

The Power of Several

Submitted by sharon on Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:14am

Bullying has become so serious in this country that even President Obama recently said that “it is not a rite of passage” in growing up. Every day 160,000 children do not attend school because of chronic teasing, name-calling, unkind remarks, pushing/hitting, etc. There have been five deaths in the past month due to suicides by kids being bullied. I suspect that this problem has come about due to so many societal changes including high divorce rate, mobility of society and less extended family nearby, media (reality shows!) influence and more mothers working outside of the home.

SharonScott.com

About the NMCA Logo

Submitted by John Shirley on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 12:16pm

NMCA was first known as Blackland CA. In keeping with the agraian theme, when another name was offered, we diecided to adopt the oak tree as our symbol. Like the mighty oak, NMCA offers comfort, shelter and security, as well as community to all who seek refuge amidst its branches. The might oak is also strong and enduring as we hoped NMCA would always be.