OSCA Emerging Leader Program

The goal of the OSCA Emerging Leaders Program is to identify potential leaders within the school counseling profession in Ohio and to provide them with opportunities to become involved with OSCA. This is a great opportunity for those school counselors interested in becoming involved as a leader but not fully committing to serving on the board. Please read below for details and instructions for applying for the program.

Criteria
Emerging leaders must:

• Be a member of both the Ohio School Counselor Association and the American School Counselor Association
• Be employed as a professional school counselor in Ohio (possess a valid license and is employed by a school district)
• Not be (or have been) an appointed or elected officer of OSCA
• Have a desire to further the mission and vision of OSCA through professional advocacy and leadership

Responsibilities
Emerging leaders must serve a term of two years with expectations of completing the following responsibilities:

First year responsibilities:

• Attend at least two of the four OSCA Governing Board meetings
• Attend the All Ohio Counselors Conference and work at the OSCA booth
• Provide assistance at other OSCA events
• Communicate regularly with the Emerging Leader mentor

Second year responsibilities

• Attend at least three of the four OSCA Governing Board meetings
• Attend the All Ohio Counselors Conference and work at the OSCA booth
• Provide assistance at other OSCA events
• Serve as mentor to a first–year emerging leader
• Based on interest survey at Summer LDI meeting, join/lead an OSCA standing committee
• Create transition plan for the end of emerging leader term with the Past President on the Governing Board (i.e. run for position on Governing Board, join/lead as OSCA standing committee, take on leadership position.)

Benefits
The OSCA emerging leader(s) will receive the following benefits:

• Free OSCA membership for one year
• Leadership training
• Assigned a first year emerging leader mentor
• Access to a network of colleagues
• Opportunity to earn contact hours for one’s independent professional development plan
• Personalized OSCA business card
• Recognition as an Emerging Leader at the AOCC and on the OSCA website

Application Process
Individuals interested in becoming an Emerging Leader must submit the following:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Letter of support from his/her supervisor or principal
• Letter of recommendation from an OSCA member

Applications are to be sent to the OSCA Past-President and must be received by October 1 of each year. Please send all application items electronically to osca@ohioschoolcounselor.org.

Selection Process
A screening committee will select no more than 5 emerging leaders.  Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision by October 30th of each year.