Resolutions Adopted By Governing Council

September 2000 ? September 2005

September 22-24, 2000 No Resolutions Adopted.

March 14-16, 2001

Children's Rights

Moved that the Governing Council adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The profession of Counseling recognizes its responsibility to advocate for human rights; and

WHEREAS, The Governing Council of the American Counseling Association (ACA) has accepted and endorsed the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); and

WHEREAS, Children's Rights are Human Rights; and

WHEREAS, Article 7 of the UDHR states: All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law; and

WHEREAS, In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance; and

WHEREAS, The Preamble of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) states that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly on 20 November 1959 and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (in particular in articles 23 and 24), in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in article 10) and in the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized agencies and international organizations concerned with the welfare of children; and

WHEREAS, The CRC Preamble recognizes that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally difficult conditions, and that such children need special consideration; and

WHEREAS, Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each people for the protection and harmonious development of the child; and

WHEREAS, The 190 UN member states signing the CRC (including the U.S.) recognize the importance of international co-operation for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Governing Council recognize the Human Rights responsibilities of counselors and that the Convention on the Rights of the Child be accepted and endorsed by ACA Governing Council.

Moved by the Human Rights Committee. Motion passed.

Women's Rights

Moved that the Governing Council adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The profession of Counseling recognizes its responsibility to advocate for human rights; and

WHEREAS, The Governing Council of the American Counseling Association (ACA) has accepted and endorsed the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); and

WHEREAS, Women's Rights are Human Rights; and

WHEREAS, Article 7 of the UDHR states: All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law; and

WHEREAS, Article 23.2 of the UDHR states: Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. (Article 23.2); and

WHEREAS, The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women; and

WHEREAS, In its preamble, the CEDAW explicitly acknowledges that "extensive discrimination against women continues to exist", and emphasizes that such discrimination "violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity"; and

WHEREAS, The 165 UN member states signing the CEDAW (including the U.S.) are: Convinced that the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Governing Council recognize the Human Rights responsibilities of counselors and that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women be accepted and endorsed by ACA Governing Council.

Moved by the Human Rights Committee. Motion passed.

Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

Moved that the Governing Council adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The profession of Counseling recognizes its responsibility to advocate for human rights; and

WHEREAS, The Governing Council of the American Counseling Association (ACA) has accepted and endorsed the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); and

WHEREAS, Migrant Worker's Rights are Human Rights; and

WHEREAS, Article 7 of the UDHR states: All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations Realizes the importance and extent of the migration phenomenon, which involves millions of people and affects a large number of States [countries] in the international community and has authored and adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CPRMW); and

WHEREAS, Considering the situation of vulnerability in which migrant workers and members of their families frequently find themselves owing, among other things, to their absence from their State [country] of origin and to the difficulties they may encounter arising from their presence in the State [country] of employment; and

WHEREAS, Taking into account the fact that migration is often the cause of serious problems for the members of the families of migrant workers as well as for the workers themselves, in particular because of the scattering of the family; and

WHEREAS, Considering also that recourse to the employment of migrant workers who are in an irregular situation will be discouraged if the fundamental human rights of all migrant workers are more widely recognized and, moreover, that granting certain additional rights to migrant workers and members of their families in a regular situation will encourage all migrants and employers to respect and comply with the laws and procedures established by the States concerned; and

WHEREAS, The CPRMW recognizes the need to bring about the international protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families, reaffirming and establishing basic norms in a comprehensive convention which could be applied universally;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Governing Council recognize the Human Rights responsibilities of counselors and that the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families be accepted and endorsed by ACA Governing Council.

Moved by Human Rights Committee. Motion passed.

November 30 - December 2, 2001

Opposition to Use of Stereotypical Native American Images as Sports Symbols and Mascots

Moved by Lewis, seconded by Fields: That the Governing Council approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The mission of the American Counseling Association calls for using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity; and

WHEREAS, Many Native American students and allies have stated that use of Native American imagery as mascots and sports symbols creates a hostile environment for their development and dignity; and

WHEREAS, Many organizations, including the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Education Association, and the National Organization for Women, have called on educational institutions to cease the use of such imagery; and

WHEREAS, Many ACA members work in educational institutions and therefore have opportunities to have an impact on this issue;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association disseminate educational materials highlighting the negative consequences of the use of stereotypical Native American images; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association support and collaborate with organizations opposing this practice; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association encourage its members to work toward elimination of stereotypical Native American images in institutions where they are employed.

PASSED

Commendation of American Red Cross

Moved by Fields, seconded by Kaplan: That the ACA Governing Council adopt the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Counseling Association commends the American Red Cross for its stance as stated on its web site, "The American Red Cross Board of Governors and Dr. Healy reaffirm the American Red Cross policy and strategy on withholding annual dues to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to protest the exclusion of Mogen David Adom, the Israeli Red Cross equivalent."

PASSED

March 21-22, 2002: No Resolutions Adopted

September 27-29, 2002: No Resolutions Adopted

March 20-22, 2003: No Resolutions Adopted

October 3-5, 2003: No Resolutions Adopted

March 30-April 1, 2004

Resolution to Protect Intersex Children from Unwanted Surgery, Secrecy and Shame

Move to adopt the following Resolution to Protect Intersex Children from Unwanted Surgery, Secrecy and Shame:

WHEREAS, Common estimates are that at least one in every 2000 children is born with notably atypical sex anatomy; and

WHEREAS, Before they are old enough to provide informed consent, intersex children are frequently subjected to invasive surgical and hormonal procedures to make their bodies more closely approximate what doctors consider "normal"; and

WHEREAS, These children are frequently subjected to medically unnecessary display by medical professionals; and

WHEREAS, Parents of intersex children are seldom provided with the full and accurate information about the child's condition and risks involved in these procedures necessary to make an informed decision nor with referrals to supportive information and resources; and

WHEREAS, Intersex children and adults are frequently not given full and accurate information about their own condition and medical history; and

WHEREAS, Many intersex people grow up feeling hurt, isolated and ashamed due to these violations of their bodily integrity and their systematic erasure; and

WHEREAS, In recent years many intersex people have come forth to report that these medical interventions have been the source of physical, emotional, and sexual harm;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association supports the rights of children too young to consent to be protected from unnecessary medical displays and from medical procedures including surgical and hormonal interventions which influence the sexual appearance of their bodies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association supports the rights of people old enough to make an informed choice to elect or refuse medical procedures including surgical and hormonal interventions which influence the sexual appearance and/or functioning of their bodies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association supports intersex advocacy groups in their struggle to end secrecy, shame and unwanted genital surgeries on children except in cases where there are genuine health reasons requiring medical intervention; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association urges the medical community to work collaboratively with patient advocacy groups to establish and adopt a patient-centered treatment protocol under which full and accurate information is disclosed to patients and/or their parents and under which patients and/or their parents are offered comprehensive and supportive resources and information, including referrals to qualified counselors and support groups.

Human Rights Committee

Passed

September 10-11, 2004

ACA Motion on Medscape

Attention was called to a proposed resolution to form an agreement with Medscape to allow counselors to receive CEUs for Medscape under the auspices of ACA.

It was moved by Wilson and seconded by Wentworth that The Governing Council approve the resolution concerning formation of an agreement with Medscape concerning continuing medical education modules. Motion passed. The resolution as adopted by this motion reads as follows:

WHEREAS, It is in the general interest of counselors to be fully informed of best practices in all applications of counseling with all populations seeking counseling services; and

WHEREAS, It is in the specific interest of counselors who work with clients experiencing serious or chronic mental health problems to be able to identify, describe, and apply best practices in conceptualization and treatment of such mental and emotional disorders; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the American Counseling Association to provide and facilitate access by counselors to the highest quality continuing education offerings; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the American Counseling Association to develop collaborative relationships with allied professions; and

WHEREAS, Medscape, a web-based provider of medical continuing education, provides high quality continuing education offerings in the area of biopsychosocial treatment of individuals with serious mental and emotional disorders; and

WHEREAS, Medscape has offered to form a relationship with the American Counseling Association; and

WHEREAS, Within the parameters of this relationship, at no direct cost to the American Counseling Association, Medscape will acknowledge the field of counseling and the American Counseling Association on its website thereby enhancing the image of counseling and its primary association among the professions of psychiatry, medicine, nursing, and allied professions engaged in the treatment of serious mental and emotional disorders; and

WHEREAS, Within the parameters of this relationship, at no direct cost to counselor participants, Medscape will provide certification of completion of continuing education modules in the area of conceptualization and treatment of serious mental and emotional disorders; and

WHEREAS, Within the parameters of this relationship, the American Counseling Association will permit Medscape to offer, under the authority of the American Counseling Association, counseling continuing education credit which licensed counselors submit to their state counselor licensure boards to satisfy continuing education requirements for maintaining their professional license;

THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED THAT, The American Counseling Association form an agreement with Medscape in which counselors who complete Medscape continuing education modules may be awarded counseling CEUs under the auspices of the American Counseling Association.

April 5-7, 2005

Work of Ethics Task Force

Moved that

WHEREAS Michael Kocet and the Task Force that has revised the ACA Code of Ethics has worked long and hard on week days, weekends, nights and in face-to-face meetings since 2002, giving of themselves in an unselfish and altruistic way; and

WHEREAS the document they have produced is thorough and exemplary in its coverage with attention to diversity, purpose, and aspirations;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the ACA Governing Council commend and thank the Task Force for both the document it produced and the monumental effort it invested in writing, revising, and presenting this Code.

Gladding/Pope

Passed by acclamation

AGLBIC Resolution

It was moved by Craft and seconded by Van Duser that Based on the research supporting same sex parenting, that the resolution regarding Sexual Orientation, Parenting and Children be approved. Motion passed. The resolution, as adopted, reads as follows:

WHEREAS, ACA actively supports policy and legislation that promotes safe, secure and nurturing environments for all children; and

WHEREAS, ACA has an established nondiscrimination policy mandating that professional counselors do not condone or engage in discrimination based on sexual orientation; and

WHEREAS, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents deprives their children of the benefits, rights and privileges enjoyed by the children of heterosexual parents; and

WHEREAS, some jurisdictions prohibit gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals and couples from adopting children; and

WHEREAS, there is no scientific evidence that parenting effectiveness is exclusively related to parental heterosexual orientation; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide healthy and supportive environments for their children; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that the adjustment, development and psychological well-being of children is unrelated to parental sexual orientation and the children of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parents are as likely as those of heterosexual parents to thrive;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association opposes any discrimination based on sexual orientation in matters related to creating and maintaining families including adoption, child custody and visitation, foster care, and reproductive health care; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association believes that children reared by a same-gender couple benefit from legal ties to each parent; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOSLVED, That the American Counseling Association shall take an active leadership role in opposing all discrimination based on sexual orientation in matters related to creating and maintaining families including adoption, child custody and visitation, foster care, and reproductive health services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association strongly encourages counselors to actively participate in the elimination of all discrimination based on sexual orientation in matters of adoption, child custody and visitation, foster care, and reproductive health services in their practice, research, education and training; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That the American Counseling Association shall continue to serve as a resource to the general public as well as to its members, divisions and regions regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation in matters of creating and maintaining families including adoption, child custody and visitation, foster care, and reproductive health services.

September 29 ? October 1, 2005

Resolutions from Counselors for Social Justice

Attention was called to the several resolutions that had been submitted by the Counselors for Social Justice with a request that they be endorsed by the ACA Governing Council.

It was moved by the Counselors for Social Justice that The resolutions on Promoting a Socially-Responsible Approach to Counseling submitted by the Counselors for Social Justice be endorsed. Motion passed. The Resolutions endorsed by this motion are as follows:

Resolution #1
Given the substantial body of empirical knowledge that describes the negative affect that religious bigotry, violence, and discrimination have on human development, it is resolved that the socially-responsible approach to mental health-care that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated is necessary to eradicate these toxic social-environmental conditions in our society.

Resolution #2
Given the substantial body of empirical knowledge that describes the negative impact that racism continues to have on human development, it is resolved that the socially-responsible approach to mental health-care that Dr. King advocated is necessary to eradicate this complex toxic social-environmental condition in our society.

Resolution #3
Given the substantial body of empirical knowledge that describes the negative impact that sexism and sexual violence continue to have on human development, it is resolved that the socially-responsible approach to mental health-care that Dr. King advocated is necessary to eradicate these toxic social-environmental conditions in our society.

Resolution #4
Given the substantial body of empirical knowledge that describes the negative impact that the ableism continues to have on human development, it is resolved that the socially-responsible approach to mental health-care that Dr. King advocated is necessary to eradicate this toxic social-environmental condition in our society.

Resolution #5
Given the substantial body of empirical knowledge that describes the negative impact that heterosexism and violence against gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered persons continue to have on human development, it is resolved that the socially-responsible approach to mental health-care that Dr. King advocated is necessary to eradicate these toxic social-environmental conditions in our society.

Resolution #6
Given the substantial body of empirical knowledge that describes the negative impact that ageism continues to have on human development, it is resolved that the socially-responsible approach to mental health-care that Dr. King advocated is necessary to eradicate this toxic social-environmental condition in our society.

Resolution #7
Given the substantial body of empirical knowledge that describes the negative effect that poverty has on human development, it is resolved that the socially-responsible approach to mental health-care that Dr. King advocated is necessary to eradicate these toxic social-environmental conditions in our society.

Resolution #8
Given the substantial body of empirical knowledge that describes the negative effect that war has on human development, it is resolved that the socially-responsible approach to mental health-care that Dr. King advocated is necessary to promote peace and the end to all wars in our world.