Executive Director – Request for Proposals

ISSUED BY THE IOWA MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA) is issuing a Request for Proposals as we explore our options for contracting and future possible employment of an executive director.

Who We Are

According to the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA, 1986), the practice of clinical mental health counseling includes, but is not limited to, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, the use of evidenced-based, psych-educational techniques aimed at the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, consultations to individuals, couples, groups, families, organizations and communities, and clinical research into more effective psychotherapeutic treatment modalities. As an independently-affiliated state chapter of AMHCA, IMHCA currently serves over 500 members and is not only the largest, but the only organization within the state dedicated to meeting the professional needs of clinical mental health counselors exclusively in Iowa. We are able to utilize AMHCA for resources, but are locally operated by a 15-member board. The board is composed of licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) volunteers across the state of Iowa. For the past 20+ years IMHCA has worked to promote quality mental health services for all Iowans, help define and distinguish the identity of the profession, and do our part to influence public policy in an effort to maintain standards of care and opportunities in line with our professional ethics and values. We accomplish these goals by working with other professional organizations, the state legislature, state regulatory agencies, colleagues, and clients alike to promote the role of mental health counselors in Iowa’s mental health delivery system and enhance the overall quality of mental health counseling practices.

What We Do

IMHCA’s primary activity centers around offering educational opportunities to counselors seeking to update and enhance their competencies, while providing a public forum and network throughout Iowa for counselors to address the social and emotional needs of their clients. We take great pride in these efforts, which also include promoting high standards of professional commitment to persons who seek mental health counseling services in Iowa, increasing awareness of the role and function of mental health counseling and counseling services to the public, supporting research into mental health concerns, counseling interventions, and their effectiveness, and promoting attainable licensure and certification for counselors at the state and national levels. Please visit www.imhca.net for more information about our work. Find us on social media as well with Facebook, Instagram, and Linked-in.

Scope of Services

Under the direction of the Executive Committee, who work in concert with the Board of Directors, affiliates, and members in determining IMHCA’s priorities, the association seeks to retain the services of an Executive Director to work with all Committees to move The IMHCA Mission and Vision forward. Specifically this position will work with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee to review and modify as needed, the Strategic Plan. This position will hold a responsibility in coordination and completion of key tasks associated with goals of IMHCA. This position will work with each committee Chair on their specific strategic goals, raise and manage funds, provide educational opportunities to the state’s members, and communicate consistently with members and the board. This position will coordinate and work with regions in the state to collaborate on projects that meet the IMHCA’s mission. This position will be responsible to meet with the Lobbyist regularly and address legislative matters important to mental health counselors. This position would report directly to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. At the end of the first year the individual in this position will make recommendations about the future of the Executive Director needs going forward. The board would like input about this position continuing as a contracted position with a 1099 or creating the infrastructure of an employee with consideration for legal and ethical practice.

Preferred candidates will have a working knowledge and understanding of the experiences, problems, needs, and concerns of mental health counselors, the types of clients we serve, and as a deep

understanding of how the professional duties and scope of practice for mental health counselors in Iowa differ from other helping professions. Excellent written and oral communication skills, a clear understanding of the legislative process to coordinate with the lobbyist, sound knowledge of human services, provider education, and mental health policy as well as the critical role mental health clinicians play in Iowa is also expected. Ideal candidates will also present with a track record of successful project planning, experience in nonprofits and/or member associations and will possess the required knowledge and passion to serve as the driving force and primary resource for IMHCA members we serve.

Conflicts of Interest

Upon award of the contract, in the event the Contractor becomes aware of any conflicts or potential conflicts between the interest of IMHCA and the interests of clients of the Contractor, the Contractor shall immediately notify IMHCA in writing of such conflict and/or include a description of the conflict(s) in the proposal. Written notice may be in the form of an email notification. In the event IMHCA becomes aware of any conflicts or potential conflicts between the interest of IMHCA and the interests of clients of the Contractor, IMHCA shall promptly notify the Contractor of such conflict. IMHCA and the Contractor shall attempt to resolve any such conflict in a manner mutually acceptable to both parties. If the conflict cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of IMHCA, IMHCA reserves the right to procure these items/services from other vendors with an appropriate reduction to the Contractor’s fee(s).

Services to Be Performed

The contract would run approximately from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024 with possibility for one 6-month extension with board approval. Possibility for renewal for fiscal year 2025 (7/1/24 – 6/30/25), if desired and approved by the board. See attachment A for a full job description.

On behalf of the association and our members, Specific duties will include, but are not limited to:

Administrative

Attending and monitoring committee meetings
Attend Board meetings
Monitoring and updating strategic planning meetings and board retreats
Providing relevant information and feedback to guide the association’s “best course of action”
Coordinating and supervising staff or contracted entities;
Formulating and recommending policies and procedures that will enhance the
overall functioning of the association
Making personnel recommendations to the board of directors;
Planning and directing membership recruitment and retention;
Representing the board and the profession in an appropriate manner at all times;
Challenging and motivating the association to creatively attain and maintain its rightful spot in the mental health care marketplace;
Overseeing the updating and revising of IMHCA’s Policy and Procedure Manual, bylaws, obligations of membership/contracts, and any other documentation maintained for the order of the association.
Facilitating and maintaining an appropriate flow of information between and amongst board members, committee chairs, and other volunteer leaders;

Fundraising/Finances

Advising, monitoring, and maintaining fiscal management from the financial
committee;
Monitoring budget items that the association has an interest in
Work with the treasurer to manage the budget proactively
Raise funds and manage fundraising activities, creating new opportunities as needed
Representing IMHCA’s positions/interests to stakeholders, coalitions, etc.
Monitoring IMHCA’s resources and communicating financial status to the board;
Work collaboratively with the IMHCA Foundation as needed.

Legislative

Coordinate responses to legislative issues with the board
Arranging and/or attending meetings with board members, members and stakeholders
IMHCA’s annual “Day on the Hill”
- Advise and assist in the development of the “IMHCA Public Policy and Advocacy Toolkit” designed to help prepare members and volunteers for the association’s annual “Day on the Hill”
- Offer insight and assistance in the planning, organization, and execution of the association’s annual “Day on the Hill”
Assisting in the development and implementation of an effective government relations program to represent the interests of the association membership to federal, state, and local government.

Community/Professional Engagement

Maintaining frequent contact with AMHCA and facilitating communication between our parent organization and board members/dues paid members. Ensuring regular updates and communication from AMHCA is distributed.
Coordinating with other states as well as other local, state-level organizations, agencies, committees, and interest groups to ensure quality mental health services and counselor recognition across the state.
Assist in the development of relationships between IMHCA and key mental health counseling stakeholders, regulatory agencies, state and local agencies, and community organizations consistent with the strategic plan and vision of IMHCA.
When possible, the association’s annual calendar, including all meeting dates and schedule of events, shall be adopted in the first meeting of each fiscal year. A minimum of 30 days’ notice will be given when attendance is requested at any IMHCA sponsored event and/or meeting.

 IMHCA’s annual “Day on the Hill” (see legislative duties)

 IMHCA’s annual conference

 In-person presentation of the session’s final report at the association’s annual conference

 Participation in a public policy workshop designed to inform, guide, encourage engagement, and give members a voice in planning of the association’s legislative efforts, in addition to aiding in the establishment of the association’s agenda for the next session

 Regular meetings

 Present annual strategic advocacy and political engagement plan proposal during a regular meeting at the discretion of the association’s board of directors

Strategic Planning

Facilitating, coordinating, and monitoring efforts to achieve strategic plan goals and objective and providing technical assistance as appropriate;
Generating ideas regarding the future of the association and the profession and revisions of the association’s strategic plan;
Facilitating and maintaining an appropriate flow of information between and amongst board members, committee chairs, and other volunteer leaders;
Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Your Response to This Request for Proposal

In responding to this request, we request the following information:

Letter of interest or narrative statement describing the qualifications of the applicant(s)/firm;
Detailed description of how you/your firm would accomplish the requested services;
Expectations and requirements of our association in working with you;
Names of individual(s) who will be working on the project and their delegated areas of responsibility;
Experience and qualifications of above staff specific to their capacity to perform the functions outlined;
Examples of successes achieved in similar experience;
Proposed fee structure (see fee proposal note below);
Any additional information believed to be helpful to the board in awarding the contract as outlined;
Three references with email and phone contact information

Please note: IMHCA prefers the respondent(s) offer their fee as a firm, fixed fee schedule which includes all expenses including travel for the services outlined in this RFP. The association acknowledges that work outside the scope of this RFP may require a special contract. This would result in additional fees that will depend on the scope of that agreed upon task. Any work that does not fall within the scope of this RFP and would result in additional fees must be approved by the Executive Committee prior to the initiation of that work/project to guarantee payment.

Evaluation of Proposals

IMHCA will evaluate proposals on a qualitative basis with the ad hoc executive director hiring committee. This includes our review of the responses to the requested information, cost effectiveness of the proposal, and results of discussions with the association’s board of directors.

Submission Instructions and Schedule

RFP Released: 6/1/2023 7:00 CST

RFP Proposals Due: 6/4/2023 7:00pm CST

Interested parties must submit all questions via email only no later than the established deadline. An electronic version of the proposal must be submitted via email prior to the deadline for consideration (word, Excel, PPT, or PDF accepted). Please email if there is another format that you would like to submit to ensure we have the ability to view it in entirety. To guarantee your proposal’s inclusion in the review process, the email subject line on all submitted proposals should read: “IMHCA Executive Director Proposal”. A confirmation email will follow your submission of the proposal.

If you do not receive this confirmation within 24 hours of submittal, please contact the association immediately at 813-389-6908 (Kayla Bell-Consolver).

Proposals must be emailed to:

The ad hoc Committee

[email protected]

Any proposal received after the 06:59 PM deadline on June 4, 2023 will not be considered. Please direct any questions or concerns regarding this RFP to [email protected].

Attachment A

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The executive director is the paid staff person responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the association. The executive director is an ex officio member of the board of directors and of all IMHCA committees and task forces.

Role: The role of the executive director and CEO is to oversee the implementation of the policies of the IMHCA board of directors and ensure the associations sustainability to represent the licensed clinical mental health counselors of the state of Iowa.

Function: The functions of the IMHCA executive director include:

Program Related:

Oversee the functioning of all IMHCA programming
Providing for program continuity and consistency;
Managing the flow of information concerning programing;
Facilitating resolution of conflict within the program;
Coordinating internal and external public relations regarding programing;
Providing assistance and direction for recruitment and retention of membership;
Developing non-dues revenue sources and facilitate creative programming ventures;

Administrative:

Coordinating and supervising staff or contracted entities;
Formulating and recommending policies and procedures that will enhance the

overall functioning of the association

Making personnel recommendations to the board of directors;
Maintaining frequent contact with AMHCA and facilitating communication between

our parent organization and board members/dues paid members. Ensuring regular

updates and communication from AMHCA is distributed.

Coordinating with other states as well as other local, state-level organizations,

agencies, committees, and interest groups to ensure quality mental health services

and counselor recognition across the state.

Planning and directing membership recruitment and retention;
Representing the board and the profession in an appropriate manner at all times;
Challenging and motivating the association to creatively attain and maintain its

rightful spot in the mental health care marketplace;

Overseeing the updating and revising of IMHCA’s Policy and Procedure Manual,

bylaws, obligations of membership/contracts, and any other documentation

maintained for the order of the association.

Board of Directors Related:

Facilitating, coordinating, and monitoring efforts to achieve strategic plan goals and

objective and providing technical assistance as appropriate;

Generating ideas regarding the future of the association and the profession and

revisions of the association’s strategic plan;

Advising, monitoring, and maintaining fiscal management from the financial

committee;

Monitoring IMHCA’s resources and communicating financial status to the board;
Establishing and maintaining relationships with other professional organizations
Facilitating and maintaining an appropriate flow of information between and amongst

board members, committee chairs, and other volunteer leaders;

Assisting in the development and implementation of an effective government

relations program to represent the interests of the association membership to

federal, state, and local government

Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.