MCA Bylaws
By-Laws and Revisions
Last revised: 2025
Article I
Name and Mission
Section I. Name
The name of the Association shall be the Michigan Counseling Association, herein referred to as the Association or the MCA, a State Branch of the American Counseling Association.
Section 2. Mission
The mission and purpose of the Association is to enhance human development throughout the lifespan by promoting the counseling profession. Additionally, the Association purposes shall be:
To promote and advance the interests of counseling programs and services in the State of Michigan.
To provide an organization through which those engaged in providing counseling can exchange ideas, seek solutions to common problems, and stimulate their professional growth.
To establish and improve standards for professional counseling programs and services.
To assume an active role in helping others in educational institutions and in the community to understand and improve counseling programs and services.
To conduct activities designed to promote the professional growth of counselors in the State of Michigan.
To disseminate information and to focus public attention on and promote legislation affecting counseling programs and services in the State of Michigan.
To encourage the formulation and growth of Chapters and Divisions.
Article II
Membership
Section I. Types of Membership
Membership in the Association shall be individuals, and it shall be open to all persons regardless of race, gender, age, religion, creed, sexual/affectional orientation, disability, or ethnic origin. There shall also be four types of membership; namely, Professional, Associate, Student, and Emeritus.
Membership with voting rights shall be available only to individuals who are supportive of the MCA mission.
Professional members shall include individuals who hold a master’s degree or higher in counseling or a closely related field from a college or university that was accredited when the degree was awarded by one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Professional members must present proof of academic credentials upon request. Professional members must maintain professional counseling licensure and active engagement in the profession of counseling.
Associate members shall include individuals whose interests and activities are consistent with those of the Association, but who are not qualified for Professional membership. Associate Members are not eligible to vote or hold office.
Student members shall include individuals who are enrolled at least half-time in a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Student members may not vote or hold office.
Emeritus members shall include individuals who are former active Professionals or Associate members who have been members for five or more consecutive years, and who have retired.
Members must abide by the ACA Code of Ethics.
Section 2. Dues
A member must pay the dues and may elect membership in at least one of the Association’s Divisions or Interest Sections. A member of a Division or Chapter of the Association would not have to join MCA unless the Division’s or Chapter’s bylaws require MCA membership as a condition for joining the Division or Chapter.
Annual Association dues for members shall be established by action of the Governing Council.
Division or Branch dues shall be established by the Division or Branch.
The Governing Council may authorize reduced dues or dues waivers for special categories of members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Governing Council.
Section 3. Severance of Membership
A member may be dropped from membership for any conduct that tends to injure the Association or to affect adversely its reputation, or that is contrary to or destructive of its objectives according to the Bylaws of the Association. Any member charged with engaging in any such conduct shall be given notice of the precise nature of the charge, shall be given the opportunity to present evidence through witnesses or otherwise, shall be given the opportunity to confront witnesses, and shall have the right of appeal to and have a hearing before the Governing Council, whose decision shall be final.
A member will be dropped from membership for the non-payment of dues.
Article III
State Divisions
Section 1. Organization of Divisions
State divisions may be organized within the State of Michigan subject to the Bylaws of this Association and, if applicable, their related National Divisions, and the Bylaws of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Divisions shall submit the text of their Bylaws to MCA upon their adoption, and upon revision thereafter, by July 1 of the year in which the revisions were adopted.
Section 2. Formation of Divisions
Only the Governing Council may charter Divisions. MCA Chartered Divisions shall, if applicable, seek affiliation with their related American Counseling Association Divisions.
Section 3. Autonomy of Divisions
A Division of the Association shall be autonomous in the conduct of its affairs, consistent with the Bylaws of the Association.
A Division of the Association may adopt its own name, but shall identify itself as "A Division of the Michigan Counseling Association.”
All officers of a Division shall be regular members of the Association. All members of a Division shall be members of the Association.
Only active Divisions may receive membership dues and a share of the proceeds from MCA Conferences. To be considered active, a Division must:
have a slate of officers;
have division Bylaws and submit them annually to MCA Headquarters by July 15 of each year;
submit the Annual Division/Chapter Report including all financial information to MCA Headquarters by July 15 of each year.
Section 4. Reports
Each Division shall transmit to the MCA President the names of its officers forthwith upon their election or appointment. Each Division shall transmit a written annual report and financial statement to the President by July 15 each year.
Section 5. Dissolution of a Division
The Governing Council shall have the power to revoke the charter of a Division when it is deemed in the best interests of the Association to do so.
Before final action may be taken with respect to the dissolution of a Division, a notice of intent to dissolve must first be passed by a majority of the Governing Council Representatives present and voting, and the Division in question advised in writing of the reasons for the proposed action. If the Association has not been able to advise the officers of the Division, publication in the minutes of the Governing Council or other MCA publications or general communications shall constitute advising the Division of notice of intent to dissolve. The Division shall have until the next Governing Council Meeting of the Association (but in no case less than nine months) to effect remedial measures.
A two-thirds vote of Governing Council Representatives present at a regular or special MCA Governing Council Meeting shall be necessary to revoke the charter of a Division.
Section 6: Voluntary Withdrawal of a Division
The status of a Division of the Association may be voluntarily withdrawn only in compliance with MCA Bylaws, policies, and procedures adopted by the Governing Council.
Article IV Chapter and Interest Sections
Section 1. Organization of Chapters
The Association may include one or more Chapters.
No Chapter shall be organized or operated except in accordance with the Bylaws of the Association.
The major purposes of a Chapter shall be in accord with those of the Association.
Only active Chapters may collect membership dues and receive a share of the proceeds from MCA Conferences. To be considered active, a Chapter must:
have a slate of officers;
have bylaws and submit the text of their Bylaws to MCA upon their adoption, and upon revision thereafter, by July 15 of the year in which the revisions were adopted, if there were any changes made during the year;
submit the Annual Division/Chapter Report including all financial information to MCA Headquarters by July 15 of each year.
Section 2. Formation of Chapters
Chapters shall be eligible for charter by the Governing Council providing there are at least fifteen (15) regular members within a geographical area who hold membership in MCA Provisional status shall be granted to those wishing to form a Chapter or Interest Section. A Chapter or Interest Section shall have three (3) years to obtain a minimum of 15 members.
Section 3. Autonomy of Chapters
A Chapter of the Association shall be autonomous in the conduct of its affairs, consistent with the Bylaws of the Association.
All officers of a Chapter shall be Professional members of the Association.
A Chapter may adopt its own name, but shall identify itself as “A Chapter of the Michigan Counseling Association.”
Section 4. Interest Sections
An Interest Section shall consist of persons who organize on either a statewide or local basis in accordance with the Bylaws of the Association for the purpose of promoting professional interests not otherwise provided for in the Divisional structure.
Section 5. Reports
Each Chapter shall transmit to the President the names of its officers forthwith upon their election or appointment. Each Chapter and Interest Section shall submit to the President a written annual report and financial statement by July 15 each year.
Section 6. Dissolution of a Chapter by the Association
The Governing Council shall have the power to revoke the charter of a Chapter when it is deemed in the best interests of the Association to do so.
b. Before final action may be taken with respect to the dissolution of a Chapter, a notice of intent to dissolve must first be passed by a majority of the Governing Council Representatives present and voting and the Chapter in question advised in writing of the reasons for the proposed action. If the Association has not been able to advise the officers of the Chapter, publication in the minutes of the Governing Council or other MCA publications or general communications shall constitute advising the Chapter of notice of intent to dissolve. The Chapter shall have until the next Governing Council Meeting of the Association (but in no case less than nine months) to effect remedial measures.
A two-thirds vote of Governing Council Representatives present at a regular or special MCA Governing Council Meeting shall be necessary to revoke the charter of a Chapter.
Section 7: Voluntary Withdrawal of a Chapter
The status of a Chapter of the Association may be voluntarily withdrawn only in compliance with MCA Bylaws, policies, and procedures adopted by the Governing Council.
Article V
Officers of the Association
Section 1. Officers and Terms of Office
The Executive Board shall be comprised of the elected officers of the Association, which are the President, the President-Elect, the Past-President, the Treasurer, the Treasurer-Elect, the Secretary, and the Secretary-Elect.
All officers of the Association shall be members of the American Counseling Association and the Association and shall be elected at large from among the individual members of the Association.
The President and Secretary shall serve a one-year term of office, the Treasurer shall serve a two-year term of office, and all other officers shall serve one-year terms of office. Officers shall serve for the elected term or until the election of their successors.
The Treasurer-Elect, the Secretary-Elect, and the President-Elect shall serve for one year prior to the year in which they take office as Treasurer, Secretary, or President. They shall immediately succeed to the office to which elected upon the completion of their predecessors’ terms, or upon death, resignation, or other incapacity of the current office holder. The Past-President shall serve for one year succeeding the year in which they completed the term of office as President.
Section 2. Nomination and Election of Officers
The Nomination and Election committee will consist of the Past-President and one (1) member from each of the active Chartered Divisions and one (1) member from each of the active Chartered Chapters. Members of two chartered divisions and two chartered chapters will be chosen as alternates to the committee. Alternates will be appointed to the committee only if original Divisions and/or Chapters fail to appoint members to the Committee. At the first meeting of the fiscal year, the Governing Council will determine which Divisions and Chapters shall appoint members to the committee. The selected Chapters and Divisions shall submit the names of the committee members to the Executive Board within one month after the first Governing Council Meeting of the fiscal year. The Immediate Past-President shall be the convener of the initial meeting of the committee. The initial meeting of the committee shall be held prior to the next MCA Governing Council Meeting.
The responsibilities of the Nomination and Election Committee shall include the preparation of a competitive slate of candidates for the offices of President-Elect, Secretary-Elect, and Treasurer-Elect. This can include individuals identified through a state-wide call for candidates and professional connections.
The Nomination and Election Committee shall submit to the Secretary of the Association at least 30 days before the distribution date of the ballot the names of candidates for each office or position to be filled. The Committee shall ascertain the willingness of the candidates to serve and verify that all nominees are paid members of the Association and the American Counseling Association.
The Nomination and Election Committee shall conduct the election of officers by secret ballot electronically communicated to the Professional Members of the Association. This election shall take place on or about April 15 each year. The closing date for counting ballots shall be twenty (20) days following the distribution of ballots. At least three (3) members of the Nomination and Election Committee shall review the ballot results. The Chairperson of the Nomination Committee shall notify all elected officers of the election results.
The term of office of any elected officer of MCA shall begin with the official year of the Association, which shall be consistent with the official year of the American Counseling Association.
Special elections or appointments for vacancies shall be held at the discretion of the Governing Council.
Section 3. Duties of Officers
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association; to consider all motions regularly made; to call special meetings; and to appoint all committees not otherwise provided for in the Bylaws. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nomination and Election Committee.
In the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President. In the absence of a President-Elect, the Past-President shall perform the duties of the President.
The Secretary shall record official proceedings of the meetings of the Governing Council and shall handle correspondence addressed to the Association. Copies of the official minutes of the Governing Council shall be distributed to all members of the Governing Council. In the absence of the Secretary, the Secretary-Elect shall perform the duties of the Secretary. If there is no Secretary-Elect, the Secretary-Elect shall be appointed by the Governing Council or identified through a special election.
The Treasurer shall monitor all money belonging to the Association; keep an account of all receipts and expenditures; and shall present in writing a financial report at the end of each fiscal year and at any other time when requested to do so by the Governing Council. The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting dues, formulating budgets, and processing financial reports.
In the absence of the Treasurer, the Treasurer-Elect shall perform the duties of the Treasurer. If there is no Treasurer-Elect, the Treasurer-Elect shall be appointed by the Governing Council or identified through a special election.
The Association shall be represented on the Midwest American Counseling Association Branch Governing Council by the President of the Association or, if unable to serve, by the Past-President.
The immediate Past-President of the Association shall be an ex-officio member of the Nominating and Election Committee.
Section 4. Compensation and Expenses of Officers
None of the elected officers of the Association shall receive any compensation for their services to the Association. The necessary expenses of the elected officers of the Association may be paid from the funds of the Association under the policies of the Governing Council established for such payments.
Current officers are not eligible to receive grants, gift cards, or monetary incentives designed for professional or student members of the association.
Section 5. Position Vacancy Prior to Normal Expiration of Term
In the event of a vacancy in a MCA office position prior to the normal expiration of the term of office, the following procedures shall be followed:
If the MCA Officer resigns or is unable to serve, the Elect for that position will assume the responsibilities. The term of office will be for the remainder of that term plus the full year that the Elect officer would have originally served.
President-elect, Treasurer-Elect, and Secretary-Elect: If the MCA Elect officer resigns or is unable to serve, the runner-up for that position in the last election will be asked to assume the office. If the runner-up in the last election is unable to serve, a special election shall be held. The special election shall be consistent with Article V., Section 2 of these Bylaws, with the exception that the distribution of the ballot be held as soon as possible.
Article VI
Executive Board
Section 1. Function
The Executive Board shall be the agency through which the general administrative and executive functions of the Association shall be executed.
Section 2. Membership
The Executive Board shall be comprised of the elected officers of the Association; the President, the President-Elect, the Past-President, the Treasurer, the Treasurer-Elect, the Secretary, and the Secretary-Elect.
Section 3. Voting Rights
Each member of the Executive Board shall be entitled to one vote. A majority of voting members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4. Powers
The Executive Board shall conduct, manage, and control the business of the Association during the period between official meetings of the Governing Council subject to the Bylaws of the Association and the Bylaws of the American Counseling Association.
Section 5. Meetings
The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the President or upon written request from three (3) members of the Executive Board.
Article VII
Governing Council
Section 1. Function and Powers
The Governing Council shall be the agency through which the policies of the Association shall be determined and shall have the following powers and functions:
To establish policies to govern the affairs of the Association
To act on recommendations from the Executive Board
To grant, deny, or revoke the Charters of Divisions, Chapters, and Interest Sections
To act on the reports of the Executive Board, Divisions, Chapters, Standing Committees, and such special committees as are responsible to the Governing Council,To adopt and to amend Bylaws
To fix dues of the Association
To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary or desirable in the best interest of the Association, not in conflict with the Bylaws
To review all actions of the Executive Board
To enforce Article III, Section 3
The President of the Association shall be the Chair of the Governing Council.
Section 2. Membership
The Governing Council shall consist of the current Officers of the Association and representatives of active state Divisions and Chapters. Voting representatives in the Governing Council shall be on the basis of MCA membership in Chapters and Divisions as follows: 10-50 one vote; 51-199 two votes; over 199 three votes. Voting representatives shall be members of the Divisions and Chapters they represent and shall also be members of MCA. If representatives are unable to attend Governing Council meetings, alternate representatives may be appointed, but they must meet all conditions of voting representatives.
Section 3. Voting Rights
Each officer of the Association, each representative from a Division, and each representative from a Chapter shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
A majority of the voting members of the Governing Council shall constitute a quorum.
Interest sections of MCA are entitled to observation and speaking status, but not voting status.
Section 4. Term of Office
Each Chapter and Division shall determine for its representative(s): the number of terms; whether the terms, if more than one, can be consecutive, and whether the representative(s) shall be elected or appointed.
Section 5. Meetings
There shall be, each year, at least four (4) meetings of the Governing Council. Other meetings may be called at the discretion of the President or upon the petition of at least one-fourth (1/4) of the representatives of the Governing Council.
Article VIII
Parliamentary Authority
The business of the Association shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order in all instances in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws of the Association.
Article IX
Committees
Section 1.
The standing committees and special committees of MCA shall be those committees recommended to and approved by the Governing Council. Special Committees must be approved annually by the Governing Council for a specific time limit, an assigned task, or a temporary purpose. All committees shall be listed on the MCA website. Committee members and Chairs are appointed by the President and subject to approval by the Governing Council.
Article X
Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the Governing Council members voting at a meeting where a quorum is present.
Proposed amendments may be originated only by: the Governing Council or presented at the Governing Council by a Division or MCA Standing Committee (provided that the submitting entity is in compliance), or by an individual member, provided that in the case of an individual member, the proposed amendment shall be presented over the signatures of at least fifty members in good standing.
Proposed amendments should be presented in writing prior to a Governing Council meeting, but may originate at a Governing Council Meeting.
Article XI
Fiscal and Official Year
The official year and fiscal year of the Association shall be consistent with the official year and fiscal year of the American Counseling Association.
ARTICLE XII
Nondiscrimination
Section 1.
There shall be no discrimination against any individual on the basis of ethnic group, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, and/or disability.