NRA organizational structure.

Introduction

The National Rehabilitation Association is a member organization whose mission is providing opportunities through knowledge and diversity for professionals in the fields of rehabilitation.

Seven Core Values:

1. all people 2. professions in rehabilitation 3. visionary leadership 4. responsible resource management 5. advocacy 6. personal and professional enrichment 7. and relationships built on trust and integrity

provide the foundation for association services and programs.

The organizational design of the Association exists to facilitate the accomplishment of this broadly stated mission. Since NRA's inception there have been many changes in the nature and character of its organizational framework. These changes have enabled the association to more effectively address its basic mission and support the specialized interests and needs of its members.

The purpose of this section is to provide a brief description of the current organizational and administrative structure of NRA. This is accomplished by identifying key components of the association and discussing their relationship to each other. The discussion is kept brief since most of the components involved are described in much more detail in later sections. An organization diagram is included to provide a visual representation of NRA's structure.

The Members

In a voluntary association such as NRA, ultimate authority is vested in its members. The members exercise their authority through voting for individuals who represent them at different levels within the association. Since every member of NRA is automatically a member of a chapter each has the opportunity to vote for chapter as well as national officers. Members also have an opportunity to vote in regional elections. Members are also eligible to join Divisions, which are separately incorporated associations that operate within the NRA organization. Divisions focus on specific professional areas or special interests. Elections are governed by each Division's constitution.

The Delegate Assembly

Members exercise authority through delegates who represent chapters at the Delegate Assembly. Each chapter is entitled to one representative to the Delegate Assembly for each fifty members (excluding Supporting Members) or major fraction thereof. Each chapter is entitled to at least one representative. Past-Presidents of the Association and incumbent members of the Board of Directors are also voting members of the Delegate Assembly.

The Delegate Assembly is the lawmaking and policy making body of the Association. It also passes resolutions pertinent to the purposes of the Board and objectives of the Association, and has power to approve increases in dues. The NRA Constitution is the organizational document which governs the Delegate Assembly. The Delegate Assembly may delegate to the Board any of its powers except the adoption of amendments to the Constitution and the adoption of resolutions of the Association.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is composed of thirty members. The complete list of Board members, officers and key leaders of all chapters, regions and divisions appears in the NRA Leadership Directory which is published in February of each year.

The Board consists of four officers (President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Immediate Past-President), Six Members-at-Large [elected by the membership], Seven Regional Representatives [elected by the regions], Nine Division Representatives [elected by the divisions] and Four Council Representatives [elected by the councils].

The Board of Directors derives its powers from the Constitution. As in all large organizations, considerable authority has been given to the Board of Directors to conduct the Association's affairs.

Primary responsibilities of the Board are:

1. To adopt a program to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Association, as stated in the Constitution and in resolutions of the Delegate Assembly; 2. To adopt policies governing all fiscal affairs of the Association; and 3. To appoint the Executive Director.

The NRA Board's Executive Committee is comprised of seven members including the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, Treasurer and three members of the Board who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Board.

The powers of the Executive Committee as defined in the

Constitution are as follows:

1. Perform such functions of the Board as may be delegated to it by the Board. 2. Perform between sessions of the Board all the functions of the Association, except such functions as the Board may, by resolution, reserve for itself.

Additional powers delegated to the Executive Committee by the NRA Board are as follows:

1. Outline the duties and establish the salary of the Executive Director; 2. Maintain a national office; 3. Adopt policies governing the fiscal affairs of the Association; 4. Adopt personnel policies; and 5. Prepare and recommend an annual budget to the Board of Directors.

Committees

The National Rehabilitation Association Board of Directors establishes working committees to conduct concentrated study and perform work as needed. Each Committee has its own job description and task assignments. Committee chairpersons and members are appointed by the President. The Committee structure is evaluated by the Board of Directors each year based on the needs of the association. Currently, five appointed committees are functioning:

(1) Conference Program Committee provides overall guidance for planning, implementation, and evaluation of the annual training conference.

a. Solicits and selects concurrent session presentations.

b. Provides input regarding general session speakers.

c. Coordinates certification approval process for conference program.

d. Makes recommendations relative to conference schedule and programming.

e. Coordinates conference evaluation process.

(2) Governmental Affairs Committee provides overall guidance for the association's governmental affairs program.

a. Identifies and prioritizes issues to be included in the NRA advocacy agenda.

b. Develops position statements and resolutions for consideration by the Board of Directors.

c. Provides assistance in planning, implementing, and evaluating the Governmental Affairs Seminar.

d. Makes recommendations relative to governmental affairs activities.

(3) Membership Committee provides overall guidance for association wide efforts to enhance membership recruitment and retention.

a. Plans and implements activities to assist chapters and divisions in membership recruitment and retention.

b. Identifies barriers to membership recruitment and makes recommendations to eliminate the barriers.

c. Identifies reasons for non-renewal of membership and makes recommendations relative to enhancing membership retention.

d. Reviews membership categories and dues.

(4) Constitution and By-Laws Committee reviews chapter, region, and division by-laws and constitutions to ensure consistency; and drafts recommended changes to NRA Bylaws and Constitution based on Board actions.

a. Reviews and makes recommendations relative to changes in chapter, region' and division by-laws and constitutions as necessary.

b. Drafts recommended changes to NRA By-laws and Constitution for required publication.

(5) Awards Committee provides overall guidance for the NRA awards program.

a. Ensures appropriate publicity of criteria and guidelines for award nominations.

b. Selects award recipients.

c. Makes recommendations relative to the awards program.

The purpose of Councils is to provide the opportunity for leadership to exchange ideas and plans relative to matters specific to particular constituencies. The Councils serve as advisory groups to the Board of Directors. They may advise the Board regarding action they would like the Board to take in relation to their particular constituencies. Each Council elects a representative to the Board of Directors. There are four Councils: Chapter Presidents; Division Presidents, Student Members; Rights and Access.

Regions

The Constitution establishes regions for the purpose of effecting greater membership participation in the affairs of the Association, and directs the Board to designate the regions and their boundaries. NRA chapters are grouped into seven regions. Regions are required, by the Constitution, to hold a conference at least biennially. Regions each elect one representative to the Board of Directors and one representative to serve on the NRA Nominating Committee.

All members of NRA chapters included in a region are members of the regional organization. Regions are not affiliates as chapters are, but are administrative units of the Association, subject to control of the NRA Board of Directors. Provisions are made for the NRA Board of Directors to act directly if a region fails to meet its responsibilities. Regions may not exact dues of their members.

Chapters

The organization of affiliates (chapters) was authorized in 1950. The purpose and function of the chapter at the state or local level is the same as that of the National Rehabilitation Association at the national level. In essence, it is NRA in its geographical area. Chapter constitutions are based on the National Rehabilitation Association Constitution. A chapter may not require the payment of dues; however, chapters in good standing receive 20 percent of the NRA membership dues paid by individual members in that Chapter.

Divisions

The Constitution authorizes the organization of divisions within the Association as follows:

"Major scientific, professional or other interest groups

may be organized as divisions within the Association to

facilitate the promotion of specific interests and to meet

the special needs of members of these groups when such

interests and needs are in harmony with the purposes of

the Association (Article 2)."

Each division elects one representative to the Board of Directors. There are currently nine representatives on the Board who represent the following NRA Divisions:

National Association of Independent Living

National Rehabilitation Association of Job Placement Development

National Association of Multi-Cultural Rehabilitation Concerns

National Association of Rehabilitation Instructors

National Association of Rehabilitation Secretaries

National Association of Service Providers in Private Rehabilitation

National Rehabilitation Administration Association

National Rehabilitation Counseling Association

Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Association

NRA Regional, Divisional and Chapter Relationships

In terms of organizational expansion, NRA's first subunit was the Region which was established in 1948. The major rationale for the development of regions was to facilitate wider participation by members in affairs of the Association. There are no "membership" requirements at the regional level, as all NRA members are free to participate in regional meetings.

To further increase grassroots participation, NRA authorized chapters (affiliates) in 1950. As mentioned, these subunits of the Association carry out NRA's objectives at the local level.

In addressing the specialized interests and needs of individuals who sought identification as professionals, NRA authorized divisional units. The first division of NRA was called the Rehabilitation Counseling Division (RCD), now identified as the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association (NRCA). Eight divisional units have even been added since NRCA was established in 1957. The NRA Board is empowered with the authority to create divisional units.

Divisions operate within the framework of the NRA Constitution and Bylaws in accordance with policies adopted by the Board of Directors. A division cannot represent NRA in any matter related to Association policy. It may present its viewpoint on any matter directly to the Board or to the Assembly. The Board of NRA adopts provisions for reporting to divisions on action taken on such matters as may be presented to it. The methods that the Board has utilized for this is to have a representative from each division sit on the NRA Board. That person is the communicator, so to speak, between the NRA Board and the membership of the specific division. Each division representative is encouraged by NRA to report the activities of the Board and other actions directly to its division leadership and membership.

Divisions determine the qualifications for their memberships, elect officers, establish dues, and make necessary changes in their governing documents (e.g., Constitution and Bylaws). The latter activity requires NRA Board approval.

With respect to NRA and divisional relationships, in 1976 the Council of Division Presidents (CDP) was given a seat on the NRA Board. As a council, it serves an advisory function and represents total divisional interests as they impact nationally and on the Board. On this council is the president, past-president, president-elect and NRA Board representative from each division. This is another effective method of integrating the efforts of divisions and NRA into its total activity. On the national Board, eight individuals including representatives from each division plus the council division president's representative, advocate for the interests of divisions.

Each region and chapter may have divisional subunits. The nature and strength of the relationship between divisional subunits and the parent regional and or state chapter unit varies greatly from place to place. Generally speaking, the divisions existing within the state chapters relate more closely within the divisional structure existing on a regional and national level. Where divisional units exist on the state level, chapters do have provisions enabling divisions to be represented on the board and, therefore, participate in leadership activities of the NRA activities of the NRA chapter. Those individuals interested in a more in depth discussion of the interrelationships of different NRA subunits, are encouraged to consult the NRA Reference Manual.

Program of NRA

Organizational structure exists for the purpose of attaining objectives in implementing programs of action.

The nature and character of NRA's program, past and present, are consistent with the broadly stated purposes of the association. Since NRA's inception during the mid-nineteen twenties, the organizational framework of the association has changed in order to facilitate and support the specialized interests and needs of its members. For example, NRA first existed on solely a national level. NRA conferences served as a forum for bringing together primarily national leaders interested in advancing the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The association's initial program efforts could be labeled more as social action activities focusing on the identification of issues related to service delivery, needs assessment, public awareness and legislative advocacy. It is in this latter area, i.e., legislative activity, that the majority of NRA's early efforts and resources were committed. To more comprehensively address all of its stated purposes and meet the needs of an expanding membership, the organizational structure of the association evolved in a way that enabled forums to exist at other than a national level. This was accomplished through the development of state chapters, regional units and divisions. NRA's program is carried out within all of the above mentioned levels. The content of NRA's program is also varied and broad, and includes a variety of impact activities across the following major areas: Legislative; Social Actions and Advocacy; Public Education and Awareness; Professional Development and Scientific. Each of these is briefly outlined below. A full description of all program activities of the various units of the Association is well beyond the scope of this article. A brief discussion of program activities in three key areas follows.

Legislative

National legislative advocacy includes legislative testimony, work of general counsel; political action network, national legislative seminar, as well as national initiatives of divisions. State and local legislative impact activities of chapters and divisional units (e.g., civil and legal rights, etc.).

Social action and advocacy

This area encompasses legislative activity but is more broadly concerned with the physical and attitudinal environment issues faced by disabled individuals. Activities include coalition efforts with other associations, educational efforts to include accessibility issues with hotels, use of appropriate terminology, community action projects, special task forces (e.g., women), consumer involvement and other issues of accessibility.

Public education and awareness

Activities include national, state, regional conferences and legislative activity, media coverage at these conferences and meetings, development of new knowledge -- Mary E. Switzer Seminar, as well as a variety of publication efforts.

NRA's program is much more than the National program activities listed above, a National Conference, the Journals and Newsletters, but includes also the regional, divisional, and chapter program activities provided on a yearly basis. Membership dues to NRA support not only membership in a national association, but also a regional and chapter association. Financial support is provided to regional activities, five percent of a divisional member's dues are returned to that division, and twenty percent of individual dues are returned to chapters. No other association provides the range of membership benefits NRA provides for the membership dues cost.

National Staff

The Association maintains a national office. The staff is supervised by the Executive Director of NRA and provides a variety of support services critical to the implementation of the program of the Association. These include government relations, membership maintenance, publication activities, the national conference and consultation and advisement to all organizational units within the Association.

Conclusion

While reading this section one might develop the view that NRA's structure is rather simple and concrete, as well as static. This certainly is not the case. There is considerable depth and complexity in the relationships among the organizational subunits which is essential to effective Association functioning. Additionally, NRA has a tradition of modifying its organizational structure to more effectively address its purposes, including the specialized needs and interests of the membership. In this respect, there has been a dynamic quality inherent within NRA's structure.

Ann Ward Tourigny, Ph.D., CAE is the Executive Director of the National Rehabilitation Association. She has been in association management since 1980, serving in executive capacities for the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, American College of Health Care Administrators, and the American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics/LAMAZE. Prior to that, she was lecturer at the Pennsylvania State University and an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland.

She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee. Her master's degree and Doctorate of Philosophy are from the Pennsylvania State University. She is a Certified Association Executive and is active in the American Society of Association Executives and the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives.

Amos Sales, Ed.D., currently holds the position of Professor and Department Head, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, College of Education, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. Since 1970, he has held a variety of chapter, region, and national offices within NRA. including serving as the national president. His research and service agenda for the last ten years has been related to prevention.

Jim Organist, Ph.D., has been a member of NRA since 1967. He has served as President of the Arizona State Chapter and National Chairperson of the Council of Chapter Presidents. He has also served two terms on the NRA Board. After twenty years on faculty in rehabilitation at the University of Arizona, Dr. Organist now has a private practice in Rehabilitation Psychology in Tucson, Arizona.