Master Clinician S Group (MCG) Member Commitments

Master Clinician’s Group (MCG) Member Commitments and Methods of Operation

I. Introduction

We must strive to ensure that every clinician who commits to membership in this group understands the multi-modal pathways we have developed to facilitate active participation and engagement of all members in the life and functions of the Master Clinicians’ Group (MCG). We must also clearly define the term “Master Clinician” and the commitment required of an individual to claim that designation. This document has been prepared to explore these concepts and clearly define the responsibilities that are inherent in the pursuit of “ownership” of this level of professional identity and membership in the Master Clinicians’ Group.

II. Master Clinician- DEFINED

A. The MCG was created on the premise that Master Clinicians are clinical professionals whose training, knowledge, skill, ability, insight, discernment, drive, dedication, and perseverance define them as the "best of the best," or as people on the journey to attain that level of Mastery; people who possess the passion and motivation to commit and be dedicated to structures and purposes that advance our profession and increase our effectiveness.

B. Most of us will never completely fulfill this definition. But, the designation of "Master Clinicians' Group” means at the very least, that we as members are striving to achieve that goal in our day-to- day lives, our work, and our professional interactions.

C. Essential elements that differentiate a Master Clinician from a "Good" clinician are the networks he or she develops, participates in, and nurtures. This is a primary reason for bringing the MCG into existence- to provide a network for those who truly strive to be the best clinicians possible.

A. MCG Wiggio Site

The Master Clinicians' Group Wiggio Site was developed to:

1. facilitate the efforts of the group; 2. Provide forums for open discussion of various topics of interest. 3. House a database of resources available for use my members. 4. Make available an effective and easily accessed method of communication within the group. 5. Access polling features to easily gather ember perspectivs on topics under consideration 6. Market the group to other clinicians who might otherwise be unfamiliar with this groupand its purposes. 7. Maintain a central schedule accessed by all to ensure that events are widely promoted within the group. B. MCG Standard Operational Protocols:

1. The MCG meets on the first and 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30pm. 2. Meeting locations can vary, but most meetings are based in the home of the group’s founder and facilitator. 3. The MCG follows a specific meeting rotation to ensure that our purposes are fulfilled. The rotation is s follows:

Meeting 1- Case Staffing and general didcussion

Meeting 2- Case Staffing and general didcussion

Meeting 3- Training

Meeting 4- Self Care/Recrational Meeting

4. In addition to the standard rotation, the MCG also sponsors specialized training and guest speaker events that can and do pre-empt the standard schedule, when necessary. 5. Self Care activities are determined by majority vote and and strongly encouraged since this critical area is often neglected by mental health professionals.

III. Membership Requirements

A. Membership in the MCG is limited to Licensed Clinical Mental Health practitioners and Residents who are actively engaged in the preparation required to join their ranks.

1. Because MCG meetings often incorporate discussion of protected health information for the purpose of improving our collective clinical skills and to improve patient are, we are unable to open membership to non-clinical professionals and others who, at minimum, have not yet earned a Masters Degree in a Mental Health Discipline. 2. This restriction recognizes that Residents and Licensed Clinicians are bound by the laws and regulations of their profession and are required to observe and comply with prohibitions against breaking confidentiality. 3. Unlicensed persons who are not yet in active Residency have no such boundary, and sharing information with them would be inappropriate and a violation of legal and ethical standards. Therefore, we are unable to permit participation by those without the necessary credentials or status.

B. Membership Responsibilities

1. All persons interested in membership in the MCG should access the Mission and Purposes of the group. They are encouraged to read and assimilate these documents before making the final decision to commit to membership in the MCG. 2. MCG members, by the nature of their informed decision to join the group, have implied their commitment to the purposes of the group, and to actively take part in the life and functions of the group.

C. Participation For our purposes, participation means to:

1.attend meetings in person or via televideoconferencing, and/or 2.take part in the life and functions of the group through the MCG Wiggio Site, and 3.participate as otherwise reasonably requested through the MCG Site Communications network.

D. For MCG purposes, Participation can take any of the following forms:

1. Physical presence on-site at group meetings and participation in online discussions and decision making. 2. Real-time virtual presence at group meetings through telecommunications systems and participation in online discussions and decision making. 3. After the fact participation in group meetings via review of meeting synopses, and participation in online discussions and decision making.

E. Participation using any single or combination of the options described in Item D is a requirement for membership in this group.

The definition of Master Clinician clearly delineates the characteristics of a Master Clinician. One of the most significant characteristics is passion and motivation to commit and be dedicated to structures and purposes that advance our profession and increase our effectiveness. In this case, it requires the committed participation of every member in the workings and decisions of the MCG Group.

F. We understand that not everyone who expresses interest in this group will be committed to the purposes and mission to which we strive.

1. We recognize and honor that being a “Good Clinician” is good, and that some may choose to remain at this level. 2. We recognize, also, that there are many potential Master Clinician’s among us who are not able to extend the commitment needed to be a part of an organization such as this. 3. This group exists solelyfor the purpose of developing, supporting, training, and nurturing Master Clinicians. 4. Non-participation is contrary to our purpose and can prevents and destroy our gains. 5. If any current member does not have the desire or ability to commit to participation in the life and functions of the group as defined herein, we respectfully request that he or she recuse themselves. 6. Please notify the Group Facilitator if you do not believe you can take active and sustained part in the life of this group via one of the various ways available to you. 7. If a member chooses to resign his or her membership due to this issue, he or she is welcome to rejoin the MCG when he or she is able to make and honor this commitment. 8. We recognize that life is dynamic and unpredictable. If a member is unavailable for a period of time (e.g. on vacation for 7 days), please communicate this unavailability in a brief email to the Group. This way, fellow clinicians can offer to cover others’ practices and assist with needs.

9. If a member does not respond to or participate in group activities and there is no known issue that prevents participation, the facilitator or his or her designee will make an effort to contact the member to determine his or her interest in continuing as a member of this group.

10. If three or more incidents occur in which a member does not participate in the life and functions of the group, and there are no extenuating circumstances the facilitator and/or designee will remove the member from the membership roster and from the MCG site group.

11. The facilitator will advise the remaining members of this action.

12. If a member is removed due to non-participation, but later commits to the responsibility to do the work of the group, he or she eligible to rejoin the MCG. If a member rejoins after being removed from the membership of the group, he or she must be conscientious in addressing the needs presented to him or her in order to prevent permanent exclusion from the membership.

G. Those who participate by any of the means described herein have a great capacity for creating good and change and growth by virtue of your dedication to our purposes. We genuinely appreciate each other and you, and thank you for making this group a priority in your daily lives.

IV. Methods of Operation

Every member of the MCG commits to joining the MGC Wiggio Site. Every member of the MGC Wiggio Site is afforded Administrator Rights on Site. Each member can adapt, adjust, edit, add, or delete elements on the site except other members' profile information. 1. Every member commits to initiating and engaging in inquiries and discussions with other members through the Poll and Discussion Forum features, uploading useful materials and documents into the Site Folder, posting messages directly on the MCG discussion “wall” 2. Members accept responsibility for updating and maintaining the MCG Wiggio Site. Each member has Administrator Level permissions into perpetuity. Ech is permitted to post entries, begin discussions, schedule meetings, create new events, etc. The purpose for this open format is to ensure that this group remains a collaborative network of committed professionals facilitated by selected members, but led by all .