Bylaws and Board Job Descriptions

CTAMFT Board Bylaws & Job Descriptions

CTAMFT MISSION AND PURPOSE

CTAMFT is a Geographical Interest Network (GIN) of AAMFT. The CTAMFT Board serves as a work group to fulfill the mission of CTAMFT, as follows: 

The mission of the Connecticut Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CTAMFT) is to provide opportunities for professional development and growth and to enhance the delivery of marriage and family to individuals, couples, families and groups. CTAMFT is committed to protecting the marriage and family profession in Connecticut through active and legislative efforts.  

In addition, the CTAMFT Board is responsible for ensuring adherence to all current, new, and revised policies established by the AAMFT including but not limited to fiduciary duties, stewardship of resources, and activities of the network.  

CTAMFT BOARD EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. All Board members, both elected and appointed, must be a CTAMFT member at the beginning of their term and maintain membership throughout their term. Any issues or lapses with membership must be discussed with the Chair to determine future viability if membership has not been renewed.

2. The contribution to CTAMFT’s Board is voluntary, and any payment (outside of expense reimbursement) must be brought up and voted on by the Board. 

3. Board Members are expected to attend all Board meetings. Absences in excess of two meetings per calendar year will be discussed with the Chair to determine future viability. The CTAMFT Board meets monthly, with a month off in the summer and a month off in the winter (determined by current Board members).  

4. The Executive Board is responsible for approving, establishing, prioritizing, and evaluating the programs and services of the geographical interest network to be sure they serve the mission of the network.  

5. The Executive Board helps to formulate and establish policies in the best interest of the GIN’s members, based on up-to-date and thorough knowledge of their needs. 

6. The Executive Board makes decisions affecting the GIN’s financial structure and resource allocations and approves the annual operating budget.  

7. The Executive Board accepts specific assignments that result from action taken at CTAMFT Board meetings and supports the policies and programs adopted by the network and AAMFT. A status update on all open tasks should be provided at each meeting. Incomplete tasks will be discussed with the Board/Chair and follow the same procedure as attendance policy. Subcommittee member tasks will be overseen by Committee Chairs.  

8. All Board members are expected to come to Board meetings fully informed about the issues to be discussed.  

9. The Executive Board is responsible for periodically reviewing the GIN and AAMFT bylaws, network policy, code of ethics, and other documents to be sure the objectives and responsibilities are understood and in keeping with changing social expectations and government regulations. Bylaw, policies and procedures will be updated every other year (odd years).  

10. The Executive Board is expected to be acquainted with past Board business and policies by reading the minutes of previous Board meetings. 

11. The Executive Board will stay updated with correspondence via email. Supporting Board decisions as necessary.  

12. The Executive Board will consider public statements carefully and with review from AAMFT because remarks may be taken as official policy.  

13. All Board members are required to submit all advocacy testimony as requested by the Advocacy Chair. 

14. All Board members are required to attend 80% of events scheduled throughout the year and to attend the annual CTAMFT conference. If this requirement is not met, the attendance requirements will be discussed with the Chair to determine future viability.

15. The Executive Board supports the efforts of all committees and subcommittees as needed and as they support the MFT profession (i.e.: engage in all advocacy calls to action, sign-up for conference tasks/responsibilities, etc., attend educational and networking events). 

16. If at any point in time, an elected member of the Board can no longer fulfill their job duties, the remaining Board members will convene and decide how positions will be filled, following rules and regulations set by AAMFT.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS - AAMFT DEFINED BOARD POSITIONS

CTAMFT leadership consists of at least a Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer, with staggered terms. Eligibility for a leadership position as a member of the leadership team or a committee chair requires at least 12 months of membership on the committee (except during the initial application) and/or active participation during meetings and events planned and led by CTAMFT as a Board Member at Large. Leadership terms are limited to a total of 6 consecutive years in any leadership position (or combination thereof) as defined by AAMFT.

The following are descriptions of leadership role duties as defined by AAMFT:

CHAIR

Term: 3 years
Duties:

  • Ensures the network fulfills its obligations to AAMFT and to the GIN members.

  • Presides over meetings, maintains adherence to Robert’s Rules, and upholds the integrity of the GIN.

  • Facilitates fair, open, and thorough meeting discussions while ensuring efficiency and orderliness.

  • Votes only in rare circumstances, such as in the event of a tie. 

  • Focuses on facilitating discussion rather than advocating for a particular position outside the Leadership Team.

  • Ensure the Leadership Team speaks with “one voice.”

VICE CHAIR/CHAIR-ELECT

Term: 3 years
Duties:

  • Perform all Chair duties during leadership meetings when the Chair is unavailable, following Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

SECRETARY

Term: 3 years
Duties:

  • Maintains records and meeting minutes.

  • Ensure all required paperwork is submitted for the Network.

  • Reaches out to new and expiring members to welcome them and/or encourage membership renewal.

 

TREASURER

Term: 3 years
Duties:

  • Ensures that funds are not overspent or the network indebted beyond its account balance.

  • Notifies the Network leadership and AAMFT CEO of any information suggesting fraud or illegal behavior among members, enabling further investigation if needed. 

  • Report annually to the Network membership on the fiscal position of the component.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS - ADDITIONAL BOARD POSITIONS

CTAMFT includes additional Board positions to support geographical interests, network goals, and member benefits. These positions do not have a term limit and can be renewed with the approval of the Board. These positions and duties are as follows:

EDUCATION/EVENTS COMMITTEE CHAIR

Term: 2 years (renewable)
Duties:

  • Leads the education/events committee in organizing, reviewing, monitoring, and completing educational opportunities for members, including workshops, trainings, and conferences.

  • Leads the Education/Events Committee in planning all networking events.

  • Through educational and networking events, works to increase CTAMFT membership.

  • Reports monthly to the CTAMFT Board on committee goals and activities. 

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE CHAIR

Term: 2 years (renewable)
Duties:

  • Serves as the liaison between the CTAMFT lobbyists, the Board, and membership.

  • Serves as a liaison between CTAMFT and the AAMFT Government Affairs team, provides reports to AAMFT regarding the CTAMFT Advocacy initiatives and funding, and acts as the lead of the Family TEAM representing Connecticut.

  • Leads the advocacy committee in organizing, monitoring, and achieving legislative goals.

  • Through advocacy work, increases awareness of the importance of CTAMFT in CT with hopes of increasing membership.

  • Reports monthly to the CTAMFT Board on committee goals and activities.

ENGAGEMENT CHAIR

Term: 2 years (renewable)
Duties:

  • Oversees and organizes the Network’s social media presence and engagement.

  • Create social media and marketing content in coordination with other committees to share CTAMFT information, updates, and events.

  • Coordinates with committee chairs regarding messaging and information to be shared with membership at large.

  • Utilizes social media and marketing to increase CTAMFT membership.

  • Reports monthly to the CTAMFT Board regarding topics, issues, and plans for social media and member engagement.

PROGRAM OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Term: 2 years (renewable)
Duties:

  • Acts as a liaison between CT MFT programs, directors, faculty, and students, and the CTAMFT Board.

  • Engages program participation in CTAMFT events and meetings.

  • Maintains a committee with student representation from each CT MFT program to address student focused issues and topics.

  • Work to increase student membership to CTAMFT.

  • Acts as the Connecticut support for the transitions from student to LMFTA and finally LMFT and coordinates educational and outreach initiatives to support these transitions.

  • Reports monthly program and student updates and needs to the Board.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) CHAIR

Term: 2 years (renewable)

Duties:

  • Leads the DEI committee in creating and implementing a plan to raise awareness of essential factors aligned with CTAMFT’s DEI mission to educate, advocate, and empower CTAMFT members.

  • With the aid of their committee, work to increase membership of MFTs throughout CT to CTAMFT.

  • Annually evaluates and updates the strategic vision and plan when DEI goals are achieved.

  • Report monthly to the CTAMFT Board on progress related to committee goals and activities.

GEOGRAPHICAL LIAISONS 

Term: 2 years (renewable)

Duties:

  • Creates and leads an area focused group of representatives from CTAMFT membership in assigned geographical regions. 

  • Leads and monitors group membership and growth of participation in assigned geographical regions. 

  • Reports quarterly to the CTAMFT Board on progress related to regional goals and activities.

  • Work to increase membership in their geographic region.

  • Attends all CTAMFT Board meetings to be informed on all aspects of the Board in order to report back to geographical areas/membership.

  • The specified regions for the liaison positions will be defined by the counties of Connecticut: Hartford County, Tolland County, Windham County, New London County, New Haven County, Middlesex County, New Haven County, and Fairfield County.

ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS (Board Members at Large)

  • Additional Board member positions may be created at the discretion of the CTAMFT Board, based on the needs of the Board and membership. 

  • All appointed Board members must be approved by the Board through a vote. 

  • At-large Board members must abide by all Board member requirements and expectations as stated above. 

  • Each at large Board member position will serve a term of 1 year and can be renewed annually with the approval of the Board.