History
In May 1991, the Virginia Counselors Association Board of Directors voted to establish the VCA Foundation. The Foundation’s major initial contributor was John R. Cook, a nationally-recognized leader in guidance and counseling who served as the Supervisor of Guidance in the State Department of Education until his retirement in 1981. John Cook was an untiring advocate of the counseling profession in Virginia and played a pivotal role in creating the Foundation. In its first year, significant strides were made to solidly establish the VCA Foundation as a noteworthy force for Virginia’s counseling professionals. The Virginia Counselors Association is second only to California in having a state branch of ACA with its own Foundation. Four other professional counselors joined Dr. Cook in establishing the VCA Foundation: Ellen Chewning, Libby Hoffman, D.L. “Pete” Warren, and Gaye Whitlock.
Tax Status
The VCA Foundation is an endowment fund holding a tax status of 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, with all contributions being 100% tax-deductible. Its primary purpose is to promulgate, promote and foster professional education and development in the field of counseling and to establish, maintain and operate educational programs for the dissemination of information and knowledge relative to counseling. To achieve this goal, the Foundation’s principal activities are receiving and investing contributions for financing special programs and projects related to VCA objectives.
Finances
The business and affairs of the VCA Foundation are managed and controlled by its Board of Directors, which includes Officers of the Foundation and Directors-at-Large (Directors). All Directors are elected for 3 year terms, by a majority of the Board at the Foundation’s annual meeting which normally takes place during the VCA Convention in November. In addition to the annual meeting, special meetings may be called by the Foundation President.
Officers of the Foundation include a President, President-Elect, Past-President, Secretary and Treasurer who serve two-year terms, as prescriibed in the Bylaws of the Foundation. The Board controls the Foundation’s funds and has the power to authorize and conduct fundraising activities. The Board also accepts contributions for specific or general purposes related to the general goals and objectives of the VCA.
By-Laws
The VCA Foundation Bylaws have provided the operational framework for the Foundation since 1991, with several revisions over the years. In 2020, the VCAF Board revised the Bylaws, with changes that reflect a new alignment of the fiscal and the business year. The financial and business year of the Board begin on January 1 and end of December 31. The election of the President will allow for a 4 year cycle of President-Elect (1 year), 2 years as President (2 years), and Past-President (1 year). The terms of the Directors will each be 3 years long. Elections for Directors are staggered over 3 years, to ensure that that there will always be Directors with experience in the position, even as some members leave the Board . The changes will guarantee built-in continuity in the Presidency, facilitate better planning, and shape a more dynamic organization in the 21st century. Click here to learn more about the newest adopted VCA Foundation Bylaws of May 29, 2020.