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Elections - December 2022
Each December the RECAMFT members elect a new Board of Directors for coming year. The presidency is a three-year commitment as President Elect, President and Past President. The Secretary and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are each two-year terms, as are the Director at Large (DAL) seats. You can view the new 2023 Board here. RECAMFT's board composition currently consists of
At the November 2022 meeting the RECAMFT Board of Directors voted to increase the number of DAL Clinical member seats from 3 to 6, which will bring our Board to a total of 12 people. We believe this will allow us to better serve our members. This change was approved by the RECAMFT members on the December 2022 Election Ballot. After our members approve it, the change must also be approved by the state CAMFT Board of Directors. 2023 Board of Directors Candidates Below are the slate of candidates who ran for each open position. There was one candidate running for President Elect and Secretary. There were five candidates running for two DAL seats. Because the membership approved the increase, the 2023 Board will be able to add the additional three DAL seats in January. LIST who completed JP Antiracism and/or LGBTQ+ |
2023 Director at Large candidate
2023 Director at Large candidate
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Dr. Bob Casanova, PsyD, LMFT (won)
Emily Larkin, LMFT (won)
Linda Block, LMFT
Dr. Jean Hayes, PhD, LMFT
Patricia Hromalik, LMFT (came in 2nd place)
Katharina Kienböck, LMFT
Reyna Seminara, LMFT (came in 1st place)Candidate Statements Candidates were asked to respond to 3 questions.
Below are each candidate's answers. |
2023 President Elect candidate statement Why are you interested in serving on RECAMFT’s Board of Directors? I have been serving on RECAMFT's Board of Directors as a Director at Large for the last two years. I deeply care about our MFT profession, and that our professional organizations serve our members well. I served on the state CAMFT Board first as a Director at Large, then as Secretary, and finally as the 2017-2018 CAMFT President. Over the last decade RECAMFT has grown to become one of the largest and most influential chapters of CAMFT. I believe my past work with the CAMFT Board of Directors, will allow me unique insight regarding RECAMFT's needs and best interests. What are your 1-year goals for RECAMFT? I hope to see RECAMFT continue to grow as a model chapter for all CAMFT chapters to emulate. This year RECAMFT launched its Justice Project: Antiracism. This was a bold move for RECAMFT and hopefully will set an example for all CAMFT chapters in addressing the issues of racial justice in the therapeutic setting. This program is the first of its kind for CAMFT chapters, and I hope to see it grow and expand. I am pleased with the work of our Racial and Social Justice Committee who has created a second year of programming by introducing the 2023 Justice Project: LGBTQ+ Affirming Care. I hope to see us continue to address these important DEIA issues. What is your 5-year vision for RECAMFT? In 2024 RECAMFT will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. I would love to see us do some special activities honoring this important landmark. We are not out of the woods as far as the danger of wildfires and floods in our area. RECAMFT had an amazing response to the challenge of the 2017 wildfires, forming a collaboration with other mental health groups, and ultimately raising over $1.3 million dollars to empower our clinicians with more disaster specific knowledge and provide needed services to the community. I want RECAMFT to continue to refine our response plan for how we address these situations in the future. 2023 Secretary candidate statement Why are you interested in serving on RECAMFT’s Board of Directors? I am passionate about supporting ongoing growth and progress within the mental health profession and our community. My involvement in RECAMFT’s Racial and Social Justice Committee evolved into an interest of promoting the development of RECAMFT for generations to come. Much of this potential for sustainability relies heavily upon the engagement and creativity of those at our organization’s helm. I hope to be a collaborative and dynamic member of this team, to help RECAMFT continue to address our member’s ongoing needs, with our shared purpose of supporting the larger community we serve. What are your 1-year goals for RECAMFT? I hope to prioritize providing RECAMFT members trainings on up-to-date practices of the profession, to offer more opportunities for membership connection to strengthen our sense of community, and to engage in outreach to members, specifically those whose voices are often not heard, with the goal of addressing systemic issues to create a stronger, more inclusive association. Likewise, I hope to build relationships with up-and-coming clinicians to bolster the knowledge and networks of future generations. What is your 5-year vision for RECAMFT? Through the next five years, I envision a larger, more representative, and more diverse RECAMFT. I envision a deeper sense of community felt within our membership, with opportunities for more active participation, and a more expansive reach into our community. I hope to see RECAMFT known not only by members and organizations within our profession, but recognized by all as a chapter that prioritizes expanding equity, and is devoted to bringing fresh ideas that lead to action and increase access to mental health care. 2023 Director at Large candidate statement Why are you interested in serving on RECAMFT’s Board of Directors? Since I moved to Sonoma County in 2012, I have appreciated RECAMFT as they welcomed me into the community and offered numerous professional social and educational opportunities. In the past year+ as Co-Chair of the Racial and Social Justice Committee, I have been able to observe from the inside, how important our professional organization is for its members. As my children are all off to college as of this fall, I thought I would take the next step in my volunteer involvement with RECAMFT and run for a Board-At-Large seat. I will be able to make time in my schedule to remain a Co-Chair of the RSJC as well. I found it to be rewarding work when I was on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women and Children, and would be pleased to bring my skills, creativity, and dedication to RECAMFT’s Board. What are your 1-year goals for RECAMFT? I would like to see more communication with our members to discern where their priorities lie. I hope to survey members or form a group of interested members to help RECAMFT brainstorm better ways to meet our members' needs. I look forward to continuing my work on the RSJC as its Co-Chair to help RECAMFT continue to grow our new Justice Projects (Antiracism and LGBTQ+ Affirming Care). What is your 5-year vision for RECAMFT? Over the years I've heard therapists from areas outside Santa Rosa, (such as Petaluma) complain that RECAMFT is an organization for Santa Rosa therapists only. No meetings are held in areas outside Santa Rosa, so some folks assume they aren't welcome. I want to see this change with a big outreach to non-members in our catchment area. I'm excited for where the Justice Projects may grow, hopefully, into a certification program for racial and social justice, and something that other chapters and CAMFT may adopt. Having every member of RECAMFT adopt a role of cultural humility in the therapeutic setting, and become well-versed on racial and social justice issues is my dream for how we can change our communities in lasting positive ways. |
2023 Director at Large candidate statement
Why are you interested in serving on RECAMFT’s Board of Directors?
As a RECAMFT Director-At-Large for the past two years, I realize what a difference being on the Board can make to our professional community. I would like to use my creative thinking being a regular contributor to the Newsletter by interviewing and high-lighting members who specialize in varied and unique counseling services. I believe this would expand the knowledge of who our members are, and shine a light on the services being offered by sharing stories about our many interesting and thoughtful therapists. I had the opportunity to interview for the Newsletter, our former technical consultant, the now deceased Joe Ward. Besides being a recipient of his generous assistance, I was truly inspired by his commitment to be available to every member. Interviewing Joe Ward gave me another inspiration to develop The Spirit of RECAMFT Award in Joe and his wife, Pam's, name.
What are your 1-year goals for RECAMFT?
I would like to regularly follow-up with members to explore their interest and in-put in programs to be offered, both in-person and on-line. I would like RECAMFT to suggest and provide opportunities for members to get together in meet-up groups thereby developing ways to become familiar with who our members are by engaging in some fun and interactive times together along with our invaluable, specialized trainings.
What is your 5-year vision for RECAMFT?
I would like RECAMFT to continue to evolve equity and inclusion across, and to be embedded in, all programs that inspire human development and build enthusiasm for each and every member of our professional community. We are a collection of professionals that form a unique system that is RECAMFT, inspiring, strengthening, and empowering ourselves while also providing the best care to every client, every day.
2023 Director at Large candidate statement
Why are you interested in serving on RECAMFT’s Board of Directors?
I am interested in returning to serve on the RECAMFT Board of Directors as I enjoyed working with and being part of the dedicated members who have worked to make RECAMFT such a vibrant, supportive community. I joined RECAMFT in 2014 immediately becoming the Pre-licensed Board representative with Laura Strom’s action-oriented persuasion! I surveyed pre-licensed members about their interests, then started a monthly in-person meeting, along with co-sponsoring a Pre-licensed Summit with Marin CAMFT. After licensure, I transitioned to the CFO board position from 2016 into 2018, using my prior corporate management skills to bring better financial organization and oversight, along with a strong cash reserve; I received the 2017 CAMFT Chapter Leadership Award for my efforts. Most recently I have served on the newly formed Awards and Scholarship Committee, something that was near and dear to my heart - a dream I discussed with the board when I was CFO.
What are your 1-year goals for RECAMFT?
I hope to see RECAMFT continue to support our profession in the coming year through therapist connection, self-care and professional growth as we continue to support the recent high demand for mental health therapy.
What is your 5-year vision for RECAMFT?
Longer term, I would like to see us continue to address how we support our members to provide high quality service to clients in an ever changing technical world with people who have diverse needs and expectations regarding mental service and its delivery. I would also like to see us support and drive CAMFT toward these same areas, along with the on-going issue with mental health insurance coverage and reimbursement.
I respectfully ask for your vote as a RECAMFT Director-At- Large.
2023 Director at Large candidate statement
Why are you interested in serving on RECAMFT’s Board of Directors?
Having worked as a Co-chair with the Racial and Social Justice Committee (RSJC) for the past year, I am so impressed with the generosity of spirit and dedication the committee members continue to bring to this work. We met with the Board in September, and had a wonderful session getting to know each other, and talking about the RSJC's goals for the future. Upon learning more about the future goals and dreams our Board has for the membership, I realized I really wanted to be part of the creativity and collaboration that ultimately makes RECAMFT such a great chapter.
What are your 1-year goals for RECAMFT?
I love collaborating with a dedicated group of people on important causes, and would be honored to participate in helping RECAMFT continue to provide excellent education opportunities to its members, to help further the cause of Inclusion on all levels and increase diversity. I intend to continue my volunteer work on the Racial and Social Justice Committee and am very proud of the hard work we did in bringing The Justice Project to our members.
What is your 5-year vision for RECAMFT?
In five years I envision RECAMFT having committees and a Board with more diversity. We will continue providing active and vibrant education courses to enrich our members. Our efforts with The Justice Project, both Antiracism and LGBTQ+ Affirming Care will have resulted in a meaningful credential program in racial and social justice. Hopefully, our model can become part of other chapters, or even something CAMFT adopts statewide.
2023 Director at Large candidate statement
Why are you interested in serving on RECAMFT’s Board of Directors?
In 2017 I served as RECAMFT’s President, and oversaw the magnificent response we coordinated including raising $1.3 million dollars to provide a host of services within our hurting communities. I joined our Board in 2015 as a DAL and after my three years in the presidency, I am currently a DAL. I’ve served as the Chair of our Ethics Roundtable since 2012.
As a working class, Southern Italian woman, I grew up in a bilingual household at a time when Italians were eschewing their culture. A founding member of our Racial & Social Justice Committee, contributed to my lifelong goals of fighting racism and homophobia. It was a privilege to serve on our new Scholarship Committee and help select the recipients. I look forward to continuing this vital work for RECAMFT in the future.
What are your 1-year goals for RECAMFT?I want to see us develop deeper collaborative relationships as we work towards our goals of serving our membership through education of our members around racial and social justice. I look for RECAMFT to maintain the Joe and Pam Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund.
What is your 5-year vision for RECAMFT?
I can’t wait to return to in-person events, once it is safe to do so. I envision RECAMFT continuing to provide stellar CE training while embracing the richness of the multicultural and racial mosaic within our Board and membership. I’d like us to provide an emeritus membership level as a social justice issue for retirees. I have loved my board work since 2015. Please vote for me so I can continue. Grazie!
Are you looking for help? Find therapists offering free natural disaster and crisis sessions here. Please check out MySonomaStrong.com. Visit the NAMI Warmline. Take a trauma-informed yoga class. We will recover together! ¿Buscas ayuda? Encuentre terapeutas que ofrezcan sesiones gratuitas de crisis y desastres naturales aquí. Visite MySonomaStrong.com. Visite la NAMI Warmline. Toma una clase de yoga informada sobre el trauma. ¡Nos recuperaremos juntos!
Redwood Empire Chapter of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists |
