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2 Bulletin PRESIDENT’S COLUMN What an Experience! Melissa Hicks, MS, CCLS, LPC, RPT As I write this, my final President’s column, I can’t help but reflect on the last four years as an officer of the Child Life Council. Next to clinical work, some of my most professionally enriching experiences have been while on this Board. The incredible dedication displayed by all levels of leadership is remarkable. The success and growth of this organization would not have been realized without this dedication. Additionally, the passion and commitment to the profession by every member is the spark that drives the organization forward. Thank you so much for all of your input and suggestions regarding ways to help you do your job in the most effective way. We all realize that the ultimate beneficiaries of the programs and services of the Child Life Council are the children and families with which each of you come in contact. I encourage you to think about your interest in leadership within the Child Life Council. There are many opportunities ranging from committee participation, to committee chair, to Executive Board member. Strong and dedicated leadership is what is necessary as the Child Life Council continues to grow in the future. I am confident that any Board member, past or present, would be glad to answer any questions you may have about leadership positions. With the new proposed by-laws, if passed, there will be more opportunities for leadership on the CLC Board. Two additional Member-at-Large positions will allow for experience on the Board and hopefully prepare individuals for future officer positions. I wish each of you continued success and hope that you will find your membership with the Child Life Council to be a positive experience. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as President of the Child Life Council. It truly has been a rewarding experience. Child Life Council 11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 202 Rockville, MD 20852-2529 (800) CLC-4515 • (301) 881-7090 • Fax (301) 881-7092 www.childlife.org • Email: clcstaff@childlife.org President Editor Executive Director Bulletin Staff Melissa Hicks Jane Darch Susan Krug Amy Jackson Published quarterly, bulk-mailed the 12th of January, April, July and October. Articles should be typed, double-spaced and submitted by the 17th of November, February, May, and August. Advertisements: Classified Ads: Ad orders must be received by the 15th of the month before issue is mailed. Typeset by CLC (e.g., program or conference announcements), max. 50 words, size may vary depending on space restrictions: $40 member/$60 nonmember Camera-ready, black & white display ads: 6”H x 2.25”W $175 5”H x 4.5”W $350 3.5”H x 7.25”W $500 E Printed on recycled paper By-laws Changes Melissa Hicks, MS, CCLS, LPC, RPT CLC President The CLC Board is proposing major changes to the by-laws of the organization. The by-laws is the name of the document adopted by an organization that contains the basic rules for governing itself. They define the primary objectives of an organization and describe how that organization will function. Any amendment to the by-laws can have significant impact on an organization and should be considered carefully. On behalf of the Executive Board, I would like to highlight some of the most significant changes and the rationale behind them. The Child Life Council has been through tremendous growth and change over the last few years. It has become necessary to structure our leadership in a certain manner, which will allow the organization to operate more efficiently and effectively and better serve the needs of the membership. We have an extremely capable, expanded professional staff that will be invaluable in the delivery of topnotch services. The responsibility they take on will allow for the smooth transition between leadership. The Board is proposing all changes after consideration of the strategic direction for the organization and consultation with association management professionals. We are committed to best practices in association management and feel the proposed changes reflect these practices. In the upcoming years, we anticipate organizational growth in programs and services. This will lead to increased committee work and commitment by Board liaisons to (See BY-LAWS, p. 3) A Publication of the Child Life Council
Bulletin 3 committees. The addition of the two Member-at-Large positions will allow for this and allow the officers to focus on global Child Life Council efforts. Another change proposed is in the term of the President. It is proposed to move to a three-year term that would be structured as follows: one year President-Elect, one year President; and one year Immediate Past President. This structure is similar to other like organizations. The year as President-Elect will be the time to learn about the President’s role and the current happenings within the organization. It is hoped that with more leadership opportunities, the officers will eventually be elected from those who have had Board experience in the past. The prior experience will help with a smooth transition between each of the one-year positions. The role of the President is to lead the Board, ensuring that it does its job in a full and timely manner, to serve as the spokesperson of the organization and preside over the annual membership meeting. The President will still have an extremely powerful position and major responsibility, but an effective Board President for the new CLC must view their most important role as ensuring that the Board functions as a top-notch governance body. It is truly the strategic plan that will guide the direction of the organization. The Immediate Past President is a new role for our organization, but a role found in many organizations. There is so much valuable Board history that the Immediate Past President holds. In the past, much of this insight has been contributed informally, but it truly warrants a formal role. Additionally, the Immediate Past President will focus on the development of future leadership. (See BY-LAWS, p. 6) FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Power of the Vote Susan Krug, CMP, CAE, Executive Director This year is a presidential election year in the United States. All Americans over 18 are encouraged to be a part of the process that will determine the direction of the country and ultimately effect world history. Experts predict that only half of Americans eligible to vote in the US Presidential election cast their votes in November. Shirking the opportunity to vote can have serious implications – in elections on any level. On behalf of the leadership of CLC, I encourage all members eligible to vote in CLC annual elections to exercise that right. The CLC Executive Board candidates were listed in the last issue of the Bulletin. Profiles are sent out with absentee ballots, distributed at the annual conference and featured on the website. Each year the membership is invited to submit nominations for consideration for Executive Board positions. The Nominating Committee, chaired by the CLC Immediate Past President, develops a slate of two candidates per vacant position and presents these nominees to the membership for election. The committee looks for individuals who have demonstrated excellence in child life, leadership skills and commitment to the goals of CLC. Nominees must be members of the CLC and Certified Child Life Specialists. This year, elections are being held for President-Elect (becomes President in 2006), Chair of the Child Life Certifying Committee, Secretary and Member-at-Large. The Executive Board elections are held at the annual Child Life Council conference, but many members choose the absentee ballots option, and will cast their votes by mail. Absentee ballots must be requested from the CLC office no later than Monday, April 12, 2004. Our members’ votes make a great impact on the organization. You have the power to determine the destiny of CLC. So ... are you going to vote IN MEMORIAM Muriel Hirt Muriel Hirt, an educator, founding member of the Child Life Council and long-time advocate for child life, died in late February of this year. Muriel served for many years on the faculty of Wheelock College, where she started the first academic program in child life. Her work directly or indirectly has influenced generations of health care professionals. In addition to founding the Wheelock program, she instituted “The Hospitalized Child in London Program” and established child life programs at hospitals in India. Always generous of her time and hospitality, Muriel welcomed to her home professionals from throughout the world. She received an honorary degree from Wheelock in 1994 and was given the Distinguished Service Award of the Child Life Council in 1990. A Publication of the Child Life Council
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