Western Massachusetts Counselors Association
The Western Massachusetts Counselors Association (WMCA) was founded in 1946 as the Western Massachusetts Personnel and Guidance Association. The organization consists of school counselors and adjustment counselors of all levels, as well as representatives from area colleges and universities. Our primary objective is to bring together individuals interested in some phase of guidance or admission work. WMCA serves as a vehicle to provide its members current information regarding the field of guidance and counseling, as well as formulating standards and principles for guidance and admission professionals.
Each spring WMCA awards several scholarships to relatives of our members. In addition, we present two awards, the WMCA Counselor of the Year, to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of guidance and counseling; and the WMCA Rising Star, to someone relatively new to the profession who has quickly demonstrated both skills and commitment to the profession.
WMCA is an affiliate of the Massachusetts School Counselors Association. Currently our membership consists of over 200 members throughout Western Massachusetts and Northwestern Connecticut.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
- Ability to network with over 200 counseling professionals in the greater Pioneer Valley and northern Connecticut region
- 5 yearly meetings consisting of networking and collaboration opportunities
- Access to full day professional development programs each year at a reduced cost.
- Access to information regarding state and national school counseling initiatives
- Annual scholarship opportunities for relatives of members
- 5 newsletters per year which keep you up to date on the latest trends in school and college admission counseling
- Annual membership directory
- Dinner meetings at local restaurants and colleges for a nominal fee.
MEETINGS
The Association meets five times per year, in October, December, January, March and May. Various colleges and technical schools host the dinner meetings at local restaurants or college campuses. Meetings include short presentations by the host organization, as well as dinner and a time to network and socialize. Our May meeting is dedicated to the presentation of scholarships to relatives of our members, as well as honoring our administrative support staff.
MEMBERSHIP
Annual membership in WMCA is $25.00 per year for professionals and $15 for graduate students and retired members. The cost to attend the dinner meeting is $5 for members and $20 for non-members. A membership directory is published in the spring of each year listing current members.
Membership Form
For more information about membership, please contact Lauren Perry at lperry@ware.k12.ma.us or click on the following link to access a membership form.
