IAMFT Chicago Chapter
11/21/2008
Minutes- Approximate!

Attendance:
David Van Dyke, Josh Hetherington, Ammara Khalid, Brian Mizuki, Rebecca Low, Mari Mallory, Heather Bates, Anvisksha Kalscheur, Sabita Nandy, Mandii Atkins, Jessica Rothman, Bernie Kliska, Mudita Rastogi, Jayne Kinsman, Delia Solone, Kristy Doyle Hatch, Annie Bao, Maya Joseph, Debra Steele, Elena Kyrgos, Brandon Bigby and Sarah Lee[DVD1]

Introduction: David Van Dyke

David welcomed all the members and outlined the changes in IAMFT and the desire to find out how IAMFT could be helpful to members. Also how the Chicago Chapter could be helpful to members.

David and Josh lead a discussion that focused on what the needs of the members were. This discussion identified the following list of useful endeavors or programs:
1) licensure prep course
2) lobbying/ governmental action opportunities
3) networking- social, professional and clinical
4) Trainings relevant to MFT in Chicago with CEU’s
5) Coordination with other groups in the city
6) Develop local support networks for clients and clinicians- online directory (?)
7) Job listings
8) Crisis support- coordinate with American Red Cross for support on NIU type crises
9) Legal consultation services
10) Online rating of conferences- recommendations about which conferences are worthwhile
11) Business advice- starting, maintaining, growing a private practice
12) Increasing our presence statewide/city wide- marketing/advertising
13) Developing a hard copy of the practitioners directory

David would investigate the requirements needed to officially start the Chicago chapter (charter, etc).

We decided to meet quarterly and to have a member do a presentation on a topic of interest at each of our chapter meetings.

The group broke these topics up into some committees. The following committees were named and people volunteered to work on them:

The Outreach Committee
Focusing on marketing, advertising, getting the word out about our special skills and talents as MFTs

Sabita Nandy, Heather Bates, Debra Steele, Elena Kyrgos, Jayne Kinsman

The Licensure Information and Training Committee
Focusing on having the latest information about licensure and developing a training for new MFTs who want to get licensed.

Heather Bates, Anviksha Kalscheur

The Technology Committee
Focusing on how we can best use technology to connect to one another and create a space where ideas and programs can be developed

Rebecca Low, Ammara Khalid, Brian Mizuki, Mari Mallory, Josh Hetherington

The Party Committee
Focusing on developing gatherings where we can feel a sense of community and have some fun, while also networking for professional reasons

Annie Bao, Mandii Atkins, Jessica Rothman, Elena Kyrgos, Debra Steele

Education and Presentations Committee
Focusing on organizing presentations and trainings for the quarterly meetings and other events that would provide CEUs

Bernie Kliska, Josh Hetherington

Mentorship Committee
Focusing on developing mentorship opportunities for new therapists coming into the field

Rebecca Low, Ammara Khalid, Brian Mizuki, Mari Mallory

Liaison to IAMFT board of directors
David Van Dyke

Next Steps:
Each of these committees can connect over email, and or in person and develop some plans for the future. Any member who was unable to attend and wants to join one of these groups, or take up one of the other topics and develop a committee can do so by contacting committee members or contacting Josh Hetherington to start up a new committee.

The next quarterly meeting of the Chicago Chapter of IAMFT will take place at Argosy University. The time and details will be forthcoming.

Thank you all for your interest and your participations- I am extremely excited to have something developing that will be a resource to us all. -Josh

[DVD1]I don't know if there are others that were there that we missed.