NDSCA History through the Minutes 1959-2000

The North Dakota Personnel and Guidance Association called a meeting to order on November 13, 1959 in the House Chambers of the State Capitol. This was the third annual conference. Presiding over the conference was President Lloyd Jarman. Topics included parent counseling, skill counseling, referrals, college counseling, counseling and administrators, short term counseling and guidance committees.

There are no recorded minutes, and it would appear that each of the 44 counselors present was assigned one of these small groups, responsible for the contents of that particular session.

On February 16, 1963, the NDPGA met with Roger Myers, president, presiding. One noted entry in the minutes was…”the discussion of the Code of Ethics as presented to NDPGA by the Committee headed by Marv Gerharson. Mr. Gerhardson moved that the code be voted on at this time and Paul Munger seconded the motion. A question was raised by Dr. Leo Sprinkle on whether and how this code would be enforced. Jim Mathison explained that this would have to be taken up later on. Motions made previous to this were carried and the code was adopted.” Discussion was also held on the possibility of establishing divisional memberships within NDPGA. It was decided to table this as the organization was small and that may bring about a split in NDPGA.

Following the NDPGA meeting on February 18, 1965, all those interested in forming a state ASCA group met. Hal Wade was elected president, Lyle Evenson was elected vice-president and Alice Carlson recorded the minutes. On March 23, 1965, ASCA wrote they were “pleased to hear the NDCA has applied for an ASCA Branch Chapter.” The October 21, 1965 meeting held in Minot had Mr. Wade calling the meeting to order. Four committees gave reports, the Constitution Committee, Program Committee, Membership and Nominating Committee.

The membership count in February of 1966 was 74. The May 1966 issue of the ASCA Newsletter read “Six New State Divisions Chartered” bringing the total to 27. Kansas, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee and Washington were now officially part of ASCA. During the October meeting, it was decided that a constitution was to be proposed at the annual February meeting. Father Henry Schneider was elected president, John Freborg vice –president and Mrs. Esther Belgum was elected secretary-treasurer.

During the 1967-68 school year, NDSCA charged dues of $1.00. After collecting dues, paying bills for food service, telephone calls, and the balance was $23.78. There were 115 members – not all paying members. The proposed Constitution and By-Laws and the ACT results were dealt with in the minutes.

1968-69 was not without growing pains. The annual meeting was held in Bismarck February 15-16, Russ Riveland was presiding. The “first pressing problem…there had been only ten members paying their dues. Members were reminded that they were a state wide organization and all business matters pertaining to NDPGA members who are school counselors should be conducted through NDSCA which is the counselors’ organization.” It was also decided in one meeting that officers for NDSCA be from the host city of the teachers’ convention – “NDSCA would never have officers from cities other than Grand Forks, Bismarck, Fargo and Minot.” Another problem was that “we appear to have developed a certain amount of confusion among us, probably due to the fact that we are a new organization, and because some of our officers, at times, have held posts in both NDSCA and NDPGA at the same time. This has resulted in a number of people not really knowing for sure which meeting they were in NDPGA or NDSCA. In fact, your current secretary got up in the wrong meeting last year and read NDSCA minutes- in the NDPGA meeting. (What’s worse is that most of you didn’t notice it.)” There were 125 members.

1969-70 found 197 paid up members at $2.00 each. 192 members were registered at the Twelfth Annual NDPGA Conference that was held February 13 and 14th. Apparently June Larsen, the secretary/treasurer from Mandan, questioned the President, S. Endrud from Oakes if he had paid his dues. He responded to her with a letter that he thanked her for her contribution to the VIEWPOINT – “it was clear and to the point. I trust it brings in some memberships." He also stated very clearly that he had paid his dues – he even gave her the location of where they were standing when he handed her the check.

1970-71 NDSCA’s president was Arden Butts. Various constitution amendments were presented and voted upon.

1971-72 dues were increased to $5.00. The bottom of the application read: “For your $5.00 dues, you become a part of a dynamic and growing professional organization that is dedicated to providing the finest possible education for young people.” 58 counselors were listed as members of NDSCA. A major focus turned to vocational inadequacies, and “the universities not having a program designed to equip a counselor for the real contemporary problems of our youth and no realistic overview of what the role of counseling in ND was. All ‘pie-in-the-sky’ theory.”

1972-73 carried a theme of “Tomorrow is Now” for the National Career Guidance week. Special committee reports focused on graduation requirements and counselor training.

1973-74, regional counselors’ meetings were to be held in Bismarck, college recruitment, career days, and a program that would consist of small groups to discuss problems unique to our own ND counseling profession.

1974-75 found 85 paid members, dues were still $5.00. Topics that would be presented at the Midwinter included counselor administration relationships, elementary counseling for secondary school counselors in a consultant role and mini sessions.

1975-76, the treasury as at $610.00, and membership was “numbering over 100.” Discussion focused on a slate of officers and that in order for counselors to attend the October conference, counselors must also be members of NDEA. “Caution to avoid fragmentation of organizations is urged. The executive committee will meet to examine the possibility of alternatives.”

1976-77 the association had 85 members, new counselor certification requirements were discussed, and suggestions were given on how the Financial Aid Office (Clark Wold) could serve counselors.

1977-78 discussion centered on public relations, government relations, a state newsletter in addition to the GUIDANCE VIEWPOINT, and a pilot project from the DPI called the Curriculum Information Network. Ann Landers received a letter of appreciation for NDSCA for her support for the work of school counselors. Ann replied she appreciated the letter and that “the only suggestion I have for the guidance counselors is please, please, don’t be too judgmental. When the kids com in, make them comfortable – let them know you sympathize with them and that you want to help them.”

1978-79 there were 111 members. An item of discussion was the role of the counselor at it related to P.L. 94-142. A committee was to be set up to deal with the subject. Computerization in school guidance was presented. The closing balance for the treasury at $338.89.

1979-80 found 95 paid members. Old business included concerns over where counselors stood in relationship to school social workers. School social workers were being funded by special education and were to serve special education students – but were serving other students as well. The president was to get this clarified. New business included elementary counselor inclusion in the school accreditation, and one counselor to 1500 student ratio was not effective. A long range goal was set to get elementary guidance mandated. Dues were raised to $10.00. It was also decided to have a spring meeting (May) in order that goals be proposed for the coming year.

1980-81 the membership list included 188 counselors, 97 were actual paid members. In old business, the need for letters to be sent to our congressmen to encourage them to co-sponsor the elementary guidance bill HR-5477 was discussed. New business included a concern about the lack of funding in the public schools in the future and the possibility of cuts in personnel in the areas such as counseling. A committee was appointed to look into possible funding sources.

1981-82 there were three main areas of concern – Project Equal in order to promote equal opportunities for both sexes in ND Public Schools, the role of guidance in education - members were to meet with Dr. Joe Crawford, and licensure – membership was encouraged to move “slowly, thoughtfully and prudently.”

1982-83 contained minutes from a meeting of Dennis Steele, president of NDPGA, Steve Joyal president of NDSCA, Dwight Netzer, President of NDVCA, Dr. Crawford, superintendent of Public Instruction, David Massey, Assistant Director of Adult and Career Education and three counselors – Jackie Bringham, Dale Thorstenson and Julie Rees. The concern was about the changes and cuts in the guidance program personnel at the state level. A number of specific concerns were addressed about certification, credentialing and renewals.

1983-84 there were 119 members, and on February 10, 1983, Doug Benson called the meeting to order. Each board member was given a booklet of their duties, and plan of action. Each member was asked to develop a personal plan of action to undertake during the following year. Expanding membership, a position paper on the importance of counseling and guidance would be written up and presented to the State Curriculum Council.

1984-85 there were 99 paid members. The regular meeting was called to order on February 6 in Fargo. The old constitution was being revised to conform to the ASCA by –laws. The role description booklet was to be revised to coincide with the NDSCA constitution – including whether the position is elective or appointed and the year in which the person filled the position.

1985-86 the membership was at 121. the future plans of the association included “continue NDSCA and ASCA membership efforts; continue to urge increased member involvement; coordinate efforts with State Department of Public Instruction in providing services; continue to explore fund-raising options; and consider holding a NDSCA Summer conference.

1986-87 the membership was at 121. The ND Counselor handbook was going to be revised; the Guidance Director position was reinstated; the ND Occupational Information Coordinating Committee reported on a national career education program that was awarded to ND; licensure was to be introduced in the 1989 legislature; the guidance designate was raising concerns in some school districts.

1987-88 there were 133 members. An amendment was written to add the K -12 Vice President position, it passed by unanimous ballot. The ND School Counselor handbook would be ready by February, the ND School Counselor of the Year was presented, and a fact sheet for members was suggested and discussed. In June, July and August of 1988, the K – 12 Comprehensive Curriculum and State Plan was begun.

1988-89 membership was at 129 – 9 of whom were student members. At the summer meeting, seven long range goals were written; the development of a K -12 Comprehensive Development guidance Curriculum and Plan of Services for North Dakota; upgrade school accreditation standards through DPI in C & G to mandate school counseling program and services to be provided by certified school counselors; to work for passage of legislation to mandate school counseling service K – 12; provide strong professional development activities and encourage professionalism among school counselors; obtain licensure laws in North Dakota for counselors; increase public awareness of school counseling; to foster development of new leadership within the organization.

1989-90 membership was t 116. “North Dakota school counselors are on the move and exciting things are happening! NDSCA has been given the honor hosting the 1990 ASCA Leadership Development Conference. It will be held in Bismarck July 22-29, 1990.” Long range plans include working to enhance and promote counseling through efforts in both educational and legislative arenas; improve and enhance public knowledge and understanding of the role of the school counselor and promote school counseling as a viable career option.

1990-91 membership was holding at 115. The office of the secretary/treasurer was split into two positions. The NDSCA’s comprehensive school guidance program would be presented to the board in may. NDSCA’s first “Outstanding School Counselor” award was given to Glayde Cory of Grand Forks.

1991-92 membership was 142. Regional networking was being established, and Tim Ludwig designed a new logo for NDSCA. Fund raising continued to be a major focus. The balance of the treasury was $347.80. A list of officers’ goals and an estimated budget for each of the offices was written. A questionnaire was given to members at the general meeting asking for input from membership – what should NDSCA concentrate its efforts towards, what would meet their needs professionally and would they like to be a part of NDSCA leadership?

1992-93 membership grew to 163. the balance of the treasury in February was at $1002.41. the president-elect-elect position was brought to the membership. Volume 2 of the counselors’ kit was to be continued, and the first annual NDSCA Summer Institute was planned. A preconference session was being planned; Nancy Perry would present information on mentoring.

1993-94, 214 members were on the roll for NDSCA. Activities for the school model were nearly done and numbered 1000. It was discussed that during the sharing sessions that the counselors submit their ideas on a standard form and these then could easily be added to the activities on an on-going basis. It was also reported that the pencils and pens were a good investment and should be continued especially at the administrative conference.

1994-95 had many goals some of which were producing a NDSCA membership packet that would possibly include a member button, pamphlets, book mark, ASCA pubic relations calendar, poster and activities and note pad and pen; developing materials in order to promote school counseling; develop and distribute a professional development survey to help plan for future NDSCA conferences and goals; printing new membership brochures; identify a fund raising committee. Membership was up to 219 members, counselors who were not members were to receive a brochure encouraging them to become part of the membership. The silent auction in which donations from board members was to be done at Midwinter. The Officer’s Handbook was handed out and corrections were made.

1995-96 membership was at 204, and at Midwinter, the treasury balance as at $3106.27; the regions were up and meeting; 16 schools participated in the essay contest for NDSCA. A business card holder with business cards from North Dakota counselors was given to the legislators. Discussion was held on the changing of the by-laws and the president, president-elect and president elect-elect position having to be members of NDEA. A committee was set up to review the wording; this committee would then meet with a representative from NDEA.

1996-97 membership was up to 212 and the balance of the treasury was $4483.66. The by-laws were changed – the statements under each of the job descriptions for president, president-elect and president elect-elect will have NEA/NDEA stricken, an NDEA Instructional conference chair will be added to the standing committee listing in the by-laws. The instructional chair will be required to have an NEA/NDEA membership. The Strategic Plan included continuing the membership packet, promotion of school counseling programs during the state school counseling week, activating a counseling telephone tree.

1997-98 the membership was at 193. A pre-conference in-service was in place; Nancy Perry would present School-To-Work information. Membership packets were discussed. It was decided that packets should be given to regional reps and to board members to then be given to potential members. Discussion was also centered on dates of membership – membership runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. Magnets, pins, notepads, bookmarks, shirts and water bottles were ideas given as membership incentives. Discussion was also held on the national standards – a motion was made and seconded that the national standards be adopted and endorsed for the ND School Comprehensive Guidance Program.

1999-2000 membership was at 170, 204 counselors were not members. Members were encouraged to contact our representatives in Washington D.C. to share the role that counselors play in the lives of students as the Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Act was set for elimination. Denim shirts were sold as a fundraiser. Again a motion was made that NDSCA adopt the ASCA standard for the ND School Counselors’ Handbook. Motion was carried. The job description for officers was to be reviewed for the handbook.