ARTICLE V: LOCAL CHAPTERS 

Section 1. Organization of Local Chapters

The Association encourages the development of local Chapters to promote local interest and participation in the profession. New chapters may be accepted by the Board of Directors upon meeting the following criteria: 

• the group must consist of at least 12 members;
• there may be no more than one FMHCA local Chapter in any given geographical area.
• the local Chapter will organize in accordance with the Bylaws of FMHCA and develop their own Chapter bylaws to reflect local operations and structure;
• they will assure that their chapter is in compliance with applicable FMHCA Bylaws concerning local Chapters;
• all officers of the Local Chapter will be members in good standing of FMHCA; 
• charter status is awarded to the local Chapter by the FMHCA Board of Directors;
• the local Chapter will be free to conduct its affairs at the local level in compliance with the Bylaws of the Association, and 
• local Chapters must present the Chapter’s Bylaws to the FMHCA Board of Directors for approval to become an official Chapter of FMHCA. 

Section 2. Florida Regional Districts:

• Northwest Regional District: which includes all FMHCA Local Chapters (Emerald Coast Mental Health Counselors Association) in the following sub-districts counties and areas in the Northwest Region of Florida
• Emerald Coast: Counties of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton
• Big Bend: Counties of Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla,
• Northeast Regional District: which includes all FMHCA Local Chapters (Mental Health Counselors Association of Central Florida & Northeast Florida Mental Health Counselors Association) in the following sub-districts and counties:
• North Central: Counties of Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee and Union
• First Coast: Counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns
• Central Florida: Counties of Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole
• Southwest Regional District: which includes all FMHCA Local Chapters (Gulf Coast Mental Health Counselors Association & Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association) in the following sub-districts counties:
• Southwest: Counties of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee
• Suncoast: Counties of DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota
• Nature Coast: Counties of Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Jefferson, Pasco and Levy
• Southeast Regional District: which includes all FMHCA Local Chapters (Broward Mental Health Counselors Association & Dade-Miami Mental Health Counselors Association & Mental Health Counselors Association of Palm Beach County & Space Coast Mental Health Counselors Association) in the following sub-districts counties:
• Space Coast: Counties of Brevard, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St Lucie and Volusia,
• Gold Coast: Counties of Broward, Dade, Highlands, Martin, Monroe and Palm Beach

Section 3. Local Chapter Reports

Each local Chapter will submit a written report annually by December 15^th to the FMHCA office

to include but not limited to:

• local state chapter information;
• chapter logo;
• website information;
• social media information;
• bylaws changes;
• local state chapter board member roster;
• amount of members;
• answers to outreach questions;
• answers to support questions and
• a summary of chapter activities during the past year.

Section 4. Charter Renewal Standards

Standards for charter renewal reflect the sound organization and development necessary for a Local Chapter of FMHCA.  The FMHCA office will make recommendations annually to the FMHCA Board of Directors concerning charter renewal for each Local Chapter. Standards and Procedures for Charter Renewal will be established by policy in accordance with

the Bylaws.

Section 5. Involuntary Revocation of Chapter

The Board of Directors will have the power to revoke the charter of a Local Chapter when it is deemed in the best interests of the Association to do so.  Procedures for revoking the charter of a local chapter will be established by policy.