Hello, Oregon AAMFT Members! 

It is warm in Oregon right now and it feels a bit more like Alexandria, Virginia than the weather we generally experience.  This past week, I was one of the 86 persons invited to join the AAMFT Future’s Conference which the Board of Directors hosted at Alexandria. 

The list of attendees included a handful of students, a number of division presidents, a large number of program directors from various universities, and a sizeable number of former national board members (some of those categories overlap. E.g., a program director might also be a former board member), the current board members, those on the election council, and three central staff members. 

We were directed via handouts to specific table assignments for 2 different days of dialogue.  The “spread” throughout these tables was meant to allow for a representation of all of the above mentioned categories of interest, and we were assigned to different tables/groups on each day.  The questions we were charged to address by the Tekker Consultants (the group hired to work with this future-forecasting endeavor) were to be discussed openly amongst the (roughly) 8 person table groups.  Then, as a larger group, we began to hear testimony of the answers and interests of focus presented by each group. 

Overwhelmingly, throughout the two days of conference, came the theme of focus from across the room of the need for greater connectedness between the board and members, as well as amongst members; most significantly to shift from a concept of top-down authority and to a more shared authority and accountability throughout.  Additionally, as the groups processed the needs of members today, there was a voice for the governance policies of our organization to be revisited and reshaped to better serve the current and future membership.  This tied into the revelation that technology itself is pushing into some interesting frontiers: web-based therapy; perhaps a need for portability for mfts so they can reach across state/national boarders to provide services; more general information access via the web, just to name a few. 

As Winston Churchill once said, “Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time -- a tremendous whack."  That is a bit the sense one got as the reoccurring theme of safe connectedness between central/board and members resounded throughout the meeting.  It was powerful and important.  

You may have received an update letter from Linda Schwallie, President of the National Board already highlighting many of the aspects covered within the conference.  I will not go over each of them now, so as to save you the redundancy.  The hopeful element of this “future’s” event for myself, came from hearing that so many wonderful folks within this profession have a passion to see that the field thrive with Best Practices . 

Now, over the past few days apparently, a mass email came to all of us from “The MFTers for Change” which is the grassroots group mentioned previously on this page.  Swiftly, AAMFT sent out another email stating that email addresses had been used in violation of their policy/agreements with members.  Frankly, I do not know about any of these technicalities.  What I do understand is that your organization is filled with persons who want to see AAMFT remain viable, strong, evolving and supportive to the profession of mft and the well being of others via this work.   Oregon was cited, however, in that letter from MFTers for Change so I want to address this. 

Oregon replied to the initial Call for Change that went out to all division leaders back in the spring.  Oregon’s board met together for a full day to discuss the issues that were presented and had been apparent within the organization.  As a result of our all-day meeting, the Oregon board together, drafted and sent a response letter to all the division leaders in which we recommended an external auditor be brought in to assess the organizations governance policies so to answer some of the questions and to facilitate Best Practices.  To date, the Oregon board has not received response from AAMFT Central or the National Board specifically.  The responses OAMFT received were from other division leaders in support.  That idea – of an external audit – has now been embraced by The MFTers for Change and is part of their effort.  That is why Oregon was included as a state supporting change.  Additionally, as folks have been given opportunity to “sign on” to the Call for Change, some of the Oregon Board Members have chosen to sign. 

It’s interesting as a systems person to watch as things move from status quo, to chaos, to re-organized.  We all see this as we work with individuals, couples and families.  Perhaps that is what we are witnessing now, in 2009, as our group of professional mfts seeks, as an organization, our own change.  I, Shelley, welcome voices from all persons on all issues.  I think it helps us to expand, grow, and challenge ourselves on the norms.  

I believe that many of us chose to be mfts due to our deep care for the well being of others.  It is that care that took me to Alexandria and it is that care that informs my process for the future of OAMFT and AAMFT.   So please, let me know your current thoughts, hopes, concerns, or questions about this association and the future within your profession.  I know the entire Oregon board is committed and caring! 

That’s all from here.  Please stay cool and safe during this heat-wave. 

All the best!

Shelley Hanson