MUELLER TO RUN UNOPPOSED FOR SDCA PRESIDENT-ELECT
(Editors Note: Mary Pat Mueller was nominated by the SD Mental Health Counselors Association as a candidate for the office of 2006-2007 SDCA President-Elect. She is running unopposed for this leadership position.)
My name is Mary Pat Mueller and it is an honor for me to be nominated as the President elect of South Dakota Counseling Association. Being asked to consider this leadership role is humbling. SDCA is a great organization with a large membership of competent, effective, efficient, productive, dedicated members. If elected I promise to fulfill this role by working with the members and leadership of the organization to promote and improve the mission of our organization.
For those of you who do not know me, I came into the counseling profession rather late in life, going back to get my Masters degree in my mid 40's. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in the early 70's and went to work for the State of South Dakota as a Child Protection Worker and eventual Supervisor and Trainer for the State. I have also worked as a therapist for Dakota Mental Health, a family service counselor for St. Joseph's Indian School, the Director of Drug and Alcohol for the Chamberlain Academy and been involved in the entrepreneurship, management, and ownership of several family business's. After graduation from my Masters Program I pursued a certificate in family business advising, mediation, and several certificates in business coaching. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor Level III and one test away from my Licensed Professional Counselor –Mental Health. I presently own and operate Mueller & Associates in Chamberlain, South Dakota where I have integrated my life experiences, skills, and knowledge and engage in therapy, family business advising, leadership development, and business coaching. I also am an adjunct professor for Lower Brule Community College.
My professional memberships, besides South Dakota Counseling Association, include South Dakota Mental Health Counselors Association, South Dakota Employment and Career Counselors Association, the American Counseling Association, the American Mental Health Counseling Association, and the Family Firm Institute. I am a Past President and President Elect of the South Dakota Mental Health Counselors Association and presently serve as one of the co-chairs of the Government Relations Committee of the SDCA. Since becoming involved in SDMHCA and SDCA I have had the opportunity to attend the ACA Midwest Leadership Conference in 2004 and the American Mental Health Leadership Workshop in 2004. I have been active in my community, helping to start several non-profit organizations and serving in leadership positions on the child protection teams for a multi county area.
My family consists of my husband of 34 years, Paul, three daughters, three son-in-laws and 4 above average grandchildren.
I am excited about the possibility of being your President-Elect and look forward to seeing each of you in Pierre in April.