President's Message — Gina Balit, LMFT, ATR

Full of Thoughts

We are halfway into the year, a good time I’ve realized to reflect on what’s happened so far and where we’re going. We’re continuing to host hybrid meetings; it’s been good to see familiar and consistent faces show up in-person, as well as see names online. The need for these hybrid meetings seems to still be important and the quality seems to have found a stable zone. However, we continue to have difficult discussions that affect our chapter, such as attendance, membership, policies, finances, and what we can continue to offer to our community, including these hybrid meetings.

It’s also been an overwhelming but fulfilling time for me as president. I had always considered myself a “behind the scenes” leader, but I have been embracing the moment as I stand up at the podium each meeting to represent our chapter. I want to thank my team, the board and all volunteers, for their time and effort, so far this year. I also want to thank our members, some of whom attended our intimate members’ luncheon in May, who remain active and help keep our chapter running.

In June, the board typically begins to look at current roles, and recruits chapter members for serving on the board next year. Each current board member gets an opportunity to share whether they’d like to stay on and serve in the same position, try something new, or move on to the next chapter in their journey. While it’s sad to see some go, we are always excited and honored when new individuals choose to volunteer and step up into a leadership role by serving on the board.

In general, being a volunteer allows you to be part of a community; helps you learn and grow new skills; allows you to communicate your ideas and apply existing skills in a creative way; keeps you engaged and involved in your professional network, and more. Joining the board allows you to gain particular leadership experience, make a difference, and make deeper connections that will last your entire career! Current board members serve to support the field they work in, grow their personal and professional selves, to give back to their community, to feel inspired, and to have direct knowledge and get in on the decision-making process.

We are seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds, who are ready to “roll up their sleeves” to help SFV-CAMFT pursue critical goals, in the following roles:

1. President-Elect
2. CFO
3. Pre-licensed Representative
4. Secretary
5. Vice President Marketing and Communications
6. Vice President of Membership
7. Vice President of Programs
8. Board Member-at-Large (3 available)

Board member position terms are for 12 months (1 year); the new term will start in January 2024 and go through December 2024. Applications for the 2024 SFV-CAMFT Board of Directors are due and considered on a rolling basis until July 31st. We will be announcing the board slate in our September 1st newsletter (Connections!) and vote at our October meeting. You can view job descriptions here: Please consider joining the board; read job descriptions and find the application here.

I’m eager to see what the second half of the year has in store. Should you have questions about the chapter, board or other volunteer roles, and how you can be of help, please feel free to reach out via email at sfvcamftpre@gmail.com. Also, I’d like to invite you to join us for our social networking event, open to all, in August. Stay tuned and find the event on our website here!

Warmly,

Gina

Gina Balit, LMFT, ATR, is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist and Registered Art Therapist working in private practice in Woodland Hills, CA. She is passionate about working with young children of divorce and abuse as well as supporting her Armenian community.