Regularity of Functions Hosted by the PCAs

There were different functions held by the PCAs where key deliberations were made. Adherence to a function is an indication of commitment and a key way of enabling the PCAs deliver in their roles and mandate. The researcher sought to know from questionnaire respondents how often they participated in their PCAs’ functions as shown in Table 4.18:

Table 4.18: Participation in Functions Hosted by the PCAs

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Participation in PCAs function’s Frequency Percent

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Monthly 17 21.0

Once in an year 29 35.8

When meetings are called 4 4.9

No response 31 38.3

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Total 81 100.0

Most of the members (38.3%) did not indicate how often they participated in functions hosted by their PCA while 35.8% of them indicated that they participated in functions hosted by

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their PCA once in a year. Of those who participated, 21% said they did so monthly whereas 4.9% of them participated when the meetings were called. This shows that some members were not aware of the number of times the organizations held functions related to the organization.

The respondents of in depth interview were also asked how regularly the members of their associations met for official functions. The KPsyA 1 respondent acknowledged that:

There were three general meetings including the Annual General Meeting (AGM). There was also an annual retreat for all members including committee meetings. The meetings are for giving information, discussing emerging issues and an avenue to air complaints and discuss discipline cases.

The KPsyA 2 respondent to the in depth interview question on regularity of meeting emphasized that:

….. in KPsyA, the main meeting is the AGM which has to be held not later by 31st

December, every year. The executive committee can also call a special general meeting when there is need. There are also various committees meetings that are held at various times as need arise. In total, there are other four general meetings in a year. In these meetings, peer supervision is done amongst the members. These are also good avenues for networking for practitioners drawn from all over the country.

KCA 1respondent to the in depth interview indicated that:

There are four meetings including the AGM where internal matters are discussed, other meetings discuss counselling related matters. There are council meetings, executive board meetings, and quarterly general education meetings. In these meetings professionals are invited such as psychiatrists and NACADA to make presentations.

KUPCA 2 response to the same interview question was that:

KUPCA meets three times annually. Peer counselling reports are given in such forums. Further networking and discussion on contemporary and emerging issues affecting counselling practice in universities are discussed in these general meetings.

The researcher observed that the in depth interview respondents contradicted the questionnaires’ respondents. Most questionnaire respondents did not respond to the number of times they were invited for meeting related to their PCA. Only a few members (21%)

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indicated that they held meetings monthly, this does not also reflect the in depth interview response. In the in depth interviews, KCA 1 response on how regularly PCA met for official functions was that:

…. there were other general meetings where general information was shared. Presentations on emerging issues were done in such general meetings. There was an end of the year retreat which was more of a social gathering which was less formal. Executive committee and all other committees met at least twice annually but as many times as there were issues that needed to be addressed.

KGCPA 1 respondent on the regularity of meetings indicated that:

The main annual meeting is the AGM. There is also an annual general meeting for the national governing council. The executive board meets quarterly and when there is need. There is an annual conference where research papers are presented to the members. Other committee meetings met as regularly as need arose.

KGCPA 2 respondent on the same question emphasized that:

….. only paid up members were eligible to participate in all the stipulated meetings. Fifty percent of the registered members made up the quorum of the general meetings.

KUPCA 2 respondent elaborated that:

When counselors meet, the various counseling programs running in the universities get discussed, especially peer counseling. Presentations of research papers on emerging issues are made in the two days meetings.

Analysis of data on the regularity of different functions held by various PCAs revealed that each of the associations had its own schedule of functions. Major decisions of PCAs were deliberated on and agreed during the PCAs’ functions. The PCAs may need to adopt contemporary methods of disseminating information. This could deal with the issue of contradictory information given by respondents on the schedule of the meetings. A casual opening of the websites of the major international associations will reveal all schedules of events in a given period as seen in ACA (2010) and APA (2011). The discrepancy between the responses from the questionnaire compared with those of the in-depth interview may also

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be an indicator of a lack of commitment on the part of members towards the PCAs’ functions of relevant meetings. This is even more critical given that the sampled respondents consisted of the ‘'committed members’’. Some PCAs have in their records “members’’ who rarely participated in their associations functions. Given that these functions are some of the major decision making avenues of PCAs, this then is a major drawback in the efforts of PCAs to accomplish the role of enforcing professionalism.