Professional Organizations

                  The existence of professional organizations such as ASCA, WSCA, WCA and ACA are important to educators and counselors. There are many issues involved in counseling as well as school counseling.  Due to No Child Left Behind and Legislators that want to ensure that the state's money is well spent, counselor are being required to show that they make a difference.  At times, it is hard to prove that counselors have an immediate affect on student learning. These professional organizations have been able to collaborate and advocate for what is needed to assist counselors in doing this.  They have lobbied for laws that protect counselors, budgets that support, and have developed programs that provide professional development.  

        It would be very hard for one counselor to go to their legislator and ask for support, but a group of 60 thousand counselors have more of an impact.  The nationwide  organizations are able to advocate and lobby the federal and state governments on the behalf of counselors and educators.  That is much more powerful and effective than 60 thousand counselor all trying to do their own thing.

       Professional Organizations also have the ability to conduct conferences on a large scale.  Due to the power behind the numbers, they are able to organize an event that can provide Nationally Recognized speakers.  An individual school would not be able to afford to have Ruby Payne speak at a teacher in-service , although larger organizations such as the WCA can afford to retain speakers of high caliber. 

      The ability to part of an organization that can provide information, knowledge, resources and professional development is a necessity.  I recently joined the American School Counselor's Association.  Upon joining, at a student rate, I was able to access reports, information and sites for members only.  I get legislative updates via email so that I know what is happening on a national level.