Position Description - Director At Large

American Counseling Association (ACA), founded in 1952, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA advances the counseling profession, mental health and well-being through education, advocacy, community, inclusion and research. We serve more than 60,000 members, including counselors in various practice settings and counselors-in -training.

Description

ACA’s Board of Directors is the governing body responsible for overseeing the vision, mission and internal operations of the organization. The Board of Directors is comprised of 15 members including four officers and 11 Directors at Large. Directors hold overall fiscal and strategic oversight responsibility for ACA, including the Fiduciary Duties of Care, Loyalty and Obedience. They are charged with the supervision and oversight of ACA’s mission. They are responsible for making decisions, delegating work and ensuring decisions are carried out in the manner intended. Ultimately, members of the Board of Directors serve as ambassadors for ACA’s mission, inside and outside of organizational commitments.

Responsibilities of Directors at Large

In accordance with ACA Bylaws, voting members of the ACA Board of Directors have the following responsibilities:

• Participate in creating, monitoring and updating the ACA’s strategic plan
• Identify and affirm broad, long-term professional directions for ACA
• Collaborate with the Board to establish and maintain governance policies to guide the affairs of ACA
• Participate in decisions to grant or revoke charters for divisions, branches, corporate affiliates, and organizational affiliates
• Review reports from divisions, branches, regions, organizational affiliates and committees,  taking appropriate Board action
• Review, amend and adopt ACA’s Bylaws to ensure alignment with its mission and evolving needs
• Fulfill other functions as necessary to serve the best interests of ACA, ensuring actions are consistent with the Bylaws 

Directors are expected to engage fully in these collective governance responsibilities by:

• Serving as ambassadors of ACA’s mission, programs and services
• Maintaining membership in good standing
• Volunteering for and accepting committee or special assignments as needed
• Preparing for and actively participating in Board meetings and discussions
• Responding to requests for feedback or decisions between meetings in a timely manner
• Engaging in collegial and constructive relationships with fellow Directors

Position Term

Typically, Directors at Large are elected for staggered three-year terms with the option of running for reelection for one additional term. Given the transition from Governing Council to Board of Directors beginning July 1, 2026, ACA seeks 11 Directors at Large. Three will serve a one-year term (2026-2027), four will serve a two-year term (2026-2028), and four will serve a three-year term (2026-2029).

Time Commitment

The time commitment for Directors at Large is approximately 7-10 hours per month. In addition, Directors attend meetings of the Board of Directors (i.e., at least three per year, two of which are in person lasting two days each prior to travel). Other meetings may be called based on need. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory.

Qualifications for Service

Required

• Professional, regular or retired member in good standing of ACA for a minimum of five (5) years immediately prior to nomination with no more than one lapse of up to three months
• Demonstrated professional counselor identity as reflected in preparation, credentials, practice, alignment with the philosophical foundations of counseling and active engagement advancing the mission of ACA and the counseling profession
• Evidence of successful leadership experience (e.g., elected officer, committee chair) in ACA or ACA divisions, regions or branches in three of the last five years
• ​​​Proven commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with the ability to lead and collaborate across cultural and social differences to advance the mission of the counseling profession.
• Core competencies including commitment to ethical conduct, conflict resolution, consensus building/collaboration and practice experience as described in ACA Board of Directors Competencies
• No substantiated ethical violations, disciplinary sanctions or legal findings related to counseling practice or professional conduct within the past ten (10) years, including actions by licensure boards, ACA or other regulatory/professional organizations
• Must pass a background check
• Clear understanding of and capacity to meet the time, travel and leadership commitments of Directors
• During the period in which the individual is a candidate for or serving on the Board of Directors, they may not simultaneously be a candidate for or hold a board position of another professional counseling association or an ACA division, region, branch, or organizational affiliate

Desired

As ACA builds its inaugural Board of Directors, Directors will play a vital role in shaping the culture and effectiveness of the Board. The Nominations and Elections Committee will attend carefully to balancing skills, experiences and perspectives. ACA seeks Directors at Large who bring a range of:

• Strategic skills, hard skills and soft skills as described in the ACA Board of Directors Competencies; candidates should highlight specific strengths they would bring to the board
• Representation from varied counseling practice specializations and settings (e.g., clinical, school, college, rehabilitation, career, counselor education and supervision)
• Leadership experiences that reflect the breadth of the counseling profession—spanning professional associations, practice settings and counselor education.
• Expertise in culturally responsive and sustaining practice, experience serving diverse communities and/or engagement in leadership and advocacy serving the diverse communities professional counselors serve