The
mission of the Wisconsin Counseling Association is to enhance the quality of life in society
by promoting the development of professional counselors, advocating for the professional practices
in the profession of counseling and promoting respect for human dignity and diversity.
Purpose
To promote and advance
the interests of counseling and personnel services in the State of Wisconsin.
To
provide an organization through which those engaged in counseling and personnel services can exchange ideas, seek solutions
to common problems, and stimulate their professional growth.
To establish
and improve standards of professional services in counseling and personnel
services.
To assume an active role in helping others in educational institutions and in the community to understand and improve
counseling and personnel services.
To conduct activities designed to promote the professional
growth of counseling and personnel services.
To disseminate information and to focus
public attention on and promote legislation affecting counseling and personnel services in the state of Wisconsin.
To encourage the formulation and growth of Chapters and Divisions.
Objectives
The objectives of the Wisconsin
Counseling Association are to cooperate and or federate with organizations interested in the human development profession
and to federate with and coordinate associations through the American Counseling Association.
“Power-Based Professionals Initiating Change”
The Wisconsin Counseling Association believes
in the strength of its members and the values which govern us.
Caring for Self and Others
We believe in the worth
and dignity of the individual, and we value caring and respect for self and others.
We respect and care for the self by preserving professional identity through the support of, and for, the professional
association, WCA, and by establishing and maintaining professional standards and ethical behavior. We also respect and care
for the self through continuing personal development. We also value examination of the relationship among the intellectual,
physical, spiritual, and psychological aspects of human development. We respect and care for others through identification
and the removal of barriers to human development and through pro-active approaches to human rights. This respect and caring
for others extends to concerns about global issues such as world peace and the ecology. We value and celebrate the diversity
of cultures and interests within our society, our profession, and our association. We also value the power,
strength and support of a unified profession.
Enabling Positive Change
We believe that positive change in people, organizations and societies can be facilitated.
Positive change involves moving to higher levels of moral, ethical, spiritual, intellectual,
physical and interpersonal development. Working for a positive change is a major function of our profession.
Acquiring and Using Knowledge
We believe that we need to be aware of current and evolving knowledge, including alternate
ways of knowing, that can assist in facilitating positive change.
We have a responsibility to acquire, utilize and disseminate new knowledge in our field. We have a responsibility
to utilize both traditional and alternative methods of understanding. We have a responsibility to exert leadership in using
and sharing our knowledge and skills.
Empowering Leadership
We believe in the kind of leadership which requires a
willingness to take risks, a readiness to take stands, and a responsibility to act on vital issues.
Empowerment means that individuals, groups, and organizations by their actions, enable (empower) others to make changes. Counselors and human development professionals see themselves
as active leaders, willing to take risks. Responsible and professional leaders act when faced with compelling situations.
Leaders who are committed to this belief are consistent in what they say and do. This leadership style ensures that all populations
served are empowered to reach their human potential.
Promoting Linkage
We believe in fostering an integrative quality, interdependence,
and connectedness among people, organizations and societies.
Collaboration
is a preferred mode of operation which fits the philosophical foundations on which the counseling and human development profession
is based. Action to accomplish identified goals, in some instances, involves interpersonal coalition-building between professionals
and, at other times, involves inter-professional and international cooperation.
