BRIEF ORIGIN STORY

MICHIGAN ACBS CHAPTER TASKFORCE (MACT)

WHAT IS ACBS? WHAT DO THEY STAND FOR?

• ACBS Vision Statement: ACBS is dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering and the advancement of human well-being through research and practice grounded in contextual behavioral science.
• Mission Statement:
• ACBS is an international community of scholars, researchers, educators, practitioners, and others whose mission is to:
• support a dynamic interaction between basic and applied research;
• disseminate contextual behavioral science;
• continue to develop principles, theories, and practical applications grounded in empirical knowledge and guided by the best available scientific evidence;
• support all members who wish to participate in this work. The purpose of the organization shall be to foster the development of functional contextual cognitive and behavioral science and practice across the state of Michigan, as to alleviate human suffering and advance human wellbeing.
• ACBS Values Statement: Throughout the ACBS community, we work in a collegial, open, generous, self-critical, non-discriminatory, and mutually supportive way.

THE MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE

• The purpose of the organization shall be to foster the development of functional contextual cognitive and behavioral science and practice across the state of Michigan, as to alleviate human suffering and advance human wellbeing.
• Specifically, the organization shall . . .
• The ACBS website (contextualscience.org) now has our chapter listed and you can head there to see the chapter’s bylaws with further specifics.
• We will also send out a copy of the chapter bylaws following this meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Board nomination and election cycle
• 5 Positions for year 1:
• President
• President-Elect
• Secretary-Treasurer
• Student Representative
• Member-at-Large
• 6^th position will be Past-President in year 2

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PRESIDENT

• 1-year term (2-year board member for year 1)
• Provide general supervision, direction and control of chapter business, including but not limited to approving expenditures; appointing committee chairs in consultation with the board; and presiding over and scheduling meetings of the board, any annual meeting/conference of the chapter, and any special meetings that may be called.
• Prepare agendas for meetings and manage workflow and organization as chair of meetings.
• Make nominations for approval by the board for any committee positions which must be filled except as otherwise stated.
• Responsible in all matters, stated or implied, that are related to the welfare, stature and proper operation of the chapter.
• Perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office of President or as may be prescribed by the board.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

• 1-year term (3-year board member)
• In the case of the President being unable to complete their term, the President-Elect shall perform the duties of President for the remainder of the President’s term.
• Support the functioning of the President and the chapter board and perform duties to this end that may be requested by President or by the board.
• May act as the board liaison to chapter committees.
• Act as the board contact for external "liaisons" who communicate information to the board about other relevant associations.
• Work closely with the President on all matters.

SECRETARY-TREASURER

• 3-year term
• Responsible for the effective management of the organization’s records
• Sufficiently familiar with legal documents (articles, by-laws, policies, etc.) to note applicability during meetings.
• Responsible for managing the finances and administrate the fiscal matters of the chapter.
• Work with the board to recommend conference fees, chapter dues, and other budget related issues.
• Provide annual budget reports to the board for members’ approval.
• Manage the development and board review of financial policies and procedures and approves expenditures in concert with the most recent version of the ACBS Financial Policies and Procedures document.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

• 1-year term
• Serve as the primary intermediary and liaison between the Michigan ACBS student membership and the board.
• Seek out, understand, attend to student members’ needs and concerns.
• Facilitate interactions between students and professional members, as well as assist with the retention of students in the Michigan ACBS community.
• Encourage state student involvement in ACBS, survey student members for input, and help facilitate career and professional development opportunities within the chapter.
• Provides clear communication to the chapter board and the community at large related to student activities, accomplishments, and the overall needs of the student members.
• Suggested activities may include communication with students via email and social media, culturally-competent formal and informal needs assessment of students (e.g., Student SIG meeting, surveys), and development of professional growth opportunities (e.g., webinars, conference socials).

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MEMBER-AT-LARGE

• 3-year term (2-year term for following cycles)
• Serve in the role of “board liaison” to chapter committees. This includes attending the regular meetings of committees. Some committees meet more regularly than others, so time commitment for meetings is variable. Attending committee meetings in the role of board liaison does not confer voting privileges. The Member-at-Large is not authorized to act independently for the chapter board.
• Requests reports from Committee Chairs and presents reports to the board pertaining to assigned liaison committees. The MAL assists committees in meeting reporting deadlines and serves to provide a flow of communication to and from the board to committees. It is the responsibility of the MAL to initiate and maintain regular and clear communication with their committees.
• Supports and encourages growth and development of committees and committee chairs. Assists in formulating goals and objectives for committees.
• After each board meeting, the Member at Large: (1) reviews board decisions affecting each committee and provides any relevant information to the committee chair, (2) reviews committee assignments and projects with the committee chair and follows up to assist and ensure specified action.
• Attends assigned committee meetings at annual conference. Discuss any committee budgets, including budget requests and appropriations, with the board at the annual conference.

ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, COMMITTEES, ETC.

• A survey will be sent out in the coming weeks to solicit feedback on what activities and events you would like the Chapter to host
• Examples of such activities and events include:
• Establishing and maintaining websites, listservs, and other media
• Hosting and promoting education and training opportunities such as:
• Peer/individual/group supervision meetings
• Trainings/workshops
• Panel discussions
• Research colloquiums
• Reading/discussion groups
• Hosting social events and statewide/regional ACBS conferences
• Organizing and promoting community outreach events
• We need committee members and volunteers!

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ACBS WORLD CONFERENCE NOLA 2025

• We would love to host a Michigan Chapter meeting!
• Please let us know if you plan on attending and would be interested in attending a Chapter meeting!

MEET AND GREET!

DON’T FORGET THE PICTURE!