News About the AATA Office

This Board report is about the operation and growth of AATA and important changes that will impact the organization.  As far back as the mid-80s, the push by many AATA leaders was for the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) to have its own office in the greater metro Washington DC area. These leaders recognized that AATA's ability to interact with governmental agencies, policy makers, and like-minded professional associations in our nation's capitol would be beneficial to the membership.   

The challenges of the past two years have been complicated by difficult situations including the change from Stygar management to becoming a more independent organization. The first steps of this proactive process was to hire a part-time Executive Director to help guide the Board through new territory, as well as temporarily paying for selective management services from the American Counseling Association (ACA) and other contractual vendors.

An ad hoc committee on the national office was formed in late 2007, with Joan Philips as Chair and Matthew Bernier, Don Cutcher, Irene Rosner David and Peg Dunn-Snow as committee members. Committee interviews were conducted with many past AATA Presidents, gathering their views regarding the history of AATA's office and management. The ad hoc committee also reviewed the expenses and member services component of the current contract with ACA for management services. Committee chair, Joan Phillips reported the findings from the interviews and ACA management services at the February board meeting.

At the most recent 2008 AATA Spring Board of Directors Meeting, the Board took another bold step towards an independent office. With AATA Executive Director Steve Kussmann's guidance, the Board determined that AATA could replicate the ACA association services through a more cost-effective and member friendly means with virtual office services, and an integrated website.

The website will eventually provide more membership benefits, including the re-establishment of the art therapist locator, an electronic membership directory, distance learning capabilities, AATA's own membership egroup, online chapter services, print-on-demand services from AATA publications, and enhanced online conference registration and membership services. These strategies bring us a step closer to independent management by AATA and our goal for a physical location for a national office.

It is exciting to move closer to that goal. The longer-range vision of an actual office in the DC area is still developing and we would like to hear the members' visions for this space. It could possibly be located in a neighborhood at-risk where the power and the efficacy of art therapy could be demonstrated through a community art studio space in addition to serving our national and international membership. This vision is all with an eye toward our number one mission, which is to serve the members.

		In April 2008, Diane Brown and her woman-owned company, In Your Service (IYS) Corporation, were engaged to provide National Offices customer and administrative services for AATA. In this role, Diane and her staff team will be dedicated to promoting the AATA mission, enhancing AATA member services, and help the Board grow the AATA membership. As IYS President, Diane will be the principal contact and liaison responsible for office administration and management of the day-to-day operations and staff support. IYS Corporation was founded in 2001 to provide comprehensive office administration, management and related services to non-profit organizations. Diane's team has more than 40 years experience in program development and implementation; office operations support; budget development and financial analysis; marketing and communications; donor/member services; event planning and promotion; and fund-raising. Please join us in welcoming Diane and her staff team to the AATA family.

In terms of the immediate changes, the American Counseling Association (ACA) has pledged to do its part in helping us move forward by fully observing the provisions of the current contract and ensuring the orderly transfer of AATA data and files prior to the contract termination date of July 7, 2008.  Briefings and training to ensure a smooth transition to virtual office services have started.

There will be no change in address or phone for now. AATA's Executive Director, Steve Kussmann, is working to facilitate this change in the most professional and seamless manner possible as he states, "Rich Yep and I have discussed a continued positive professional relationship between AATA and ACA following the termination of contract services.  Rich welcomed our new role and invited us to a new group ACA has established, the Alliance for Professional Counseling Organizations (APCO).  There is no expense involved.  Rich also offered to get AATA included in the DC-based Mental Health Liaison Group, which includes APA, ACA and other mental health associations.  I welcomed these new relationships and will provide more details on them as we move forward."

The democratic process takes time. In order to assure that each board member has a voice in this complex process there have been additional monthly board calls as well as a professional retreat held in February 2008. No organization could expect a group of diverse volunteer board members to know how to develop an independent office without ensuring clear and effective methods of communication. Many of the processes not previously in place had to be worked out and put into a procedural format at the February and April board meetings. Because of this, our communication has been slower than we would like. Please be patient with the Board as we hold a better future for AATA and its members in sight.

As the Board moves forward with additional steps to implement AATA's future office and staff we welcome your input. Please contact us by phone or email and join the Board and staff at the annual conference in Cleveland with your vision and creativity about the kind of independently-run office you envision for AATA.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors
American Art Therapy Association