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About SCOTA

Join SCOTA

SCOTA is designed to provide you with the support and information you need to practice in our ever-changing healthcare environment. As a member of SCOTA, you are providing the necessary support and financial investment to help keep our wonderful profession sound, while enjoying the numerous benefits it provides. SCOTA members will have access to the members only area where you can network, exchange ideas, and share experiences.  There is also a tool for tracking your continuing education hours with automatic reminders when your certification is coming up. Members also have access to district meetings and discounted conferences/workshops with CEU opportunities. The list of tangible and intangible benefits goes on and on… Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Wishing you success in improving the quality of life of those whom you treat. May SCOTA help you in that mission.

Holly Sutcliffe, OTR
Corresponding Secretary
Membership Chairperson

How can you join?

To join we need a completed application and membership dues for the first year. Please contact us for more information or download and print a copy of the application form here.   You can pay for your membership online by clicking here!

Who can join SCOTA?

Regular Member (OTR/COTA):

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed by the SC Board of Occupational Therapy and in good standing with NBCOT.

  1. Attend and participate in all business and special meetings of SCOTA.
  2. Vote on all issues brought forth at the annual business meeting.
  3. Eligible to hold any SCOTA office and serve on any committee.
  4. Access to “members only” section of SCOTA website.
  5. May be elected as a Representative or an Alternate to the Representative Assembly of AOTA, if an AOTA member.

Student Member (OTS/OTAS):

Students either enrolled in an approved South Carolina accredited occupational therapy educational program or students who are residents of South Carolina and enrolled in an approved accredited occupational therapy educational program in another state.

  1. Attend and participate in all business and special meetings of SCOTA.
  2. Will be represented by 1 equal vote on the Executive Board by 1 student representative from each school and at SCOTA business meetings and other special meetings.
  3. Access to “members only” section of SCOTA website.
  4. May serve on committees or as student representative if elected.

Associate Member:

An individual who is interested in promoting occupational therapy, but is not eligible for membership as an OTR or COTA such as an occupational therapist not licensed in SC, an activity therapist, or a student from an educational program that is not occupational therapy.

  1. Attend and participate in all business and special meetings of SCOTA.
  2. Receive routine mailings of SCOTA.
  3. May serve on committees.
  4. Non-voting member
  5. no access to “members only” section of website.

Affiliate Member:

A group who is interested in promoting occupational therapy, but is not eligible for membership as a registered occupational therapist, or COTA, such as a business, or other organization.

  1. Attend and participate in all business and special meetings of SCOTA.
  2. Receive routine mailings of SCOTA.
  3. May serve on committees.
  4. Non-voting member.
  5. no access to “members only” section of website.

Officers

Officers
President Lizette Cloete 
President  Elect Sarah Gassman-Schultz 
Vice President Co-chair;CE Sanctioning Randi Neideffer 
Vice President Co-Chair: Conferences Hima Dalal 
Treasurer Beth Todd 
Recording Secretary Holly Sutcliffe 
Marketing
 Vacant
Information Specialist Rachel Grooms 

Liaisons
AOTA RA Rep Cristina Reyes Smith 
Legislation Sarah Gassman-Schultz 
COTA Valerie Presley

Student Reps
MUSC  Mariah Valentine
Trident Tech  Vacant
Greenville Tech  Carmen Randall
   

District Chairs
Low Country Randi Neideffer 
  Faith Carraway 
Pee Dee Vacant
Midlands Vacant
Piedmont

Heather Windsor  

Tony Gossa-Hair

SIS Chairs
Home and Community Health  / Geeontology / Physical Disabilities
 

School Systems / Developmental Disabilities / SI

 

Techology / Accessibility

Hand Therapy / Work Programs

 
Mental Health / Wellness

Administration / Management

 
Education / Research

SCOTA Office
Admin Office Dawid and Madalein Gericke 

Scholarship

AOTF Scholarship Program

Over 50 scholarships are available this year from AOTF and its collaboration with state occupational therapy associations. The scholarships range in value from $150 to $5,000.

Applicants must be currently enrolled full time in either a professional occupational therapy educational program or an occupational therapy assistant program and must meet all eligibility requirements.

[Click here for full details]

SCOTA Bylaws

Constitution and Bylaws of The South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Original: April 1961.  Revisions: October 1971, June 1977, August 1984, June 1986, November 1994, November 1996, October 1999, September 2000 (additional edits April 2002), October 2002, March 2004, March 2005, March 2006, October 2009

ARTICLE I - Name

Section 1:

The organization shall be called the South Carolina Occupational therapy Association, Inc., hereafter referred to as the SCOTA.

Section 2:

SCOTA can be affiliated with the American Occupational Therapy Association, herein referred to as the AOTA.

ARTICLE II - Objectives

The purpose of the organization shall be:

  1. To collaborate with the AOTA in carrying out the objectives of the profession and providing for the advancement of occupational therapy.
  2. To further the objectives set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of the SCOTA, to act as an advocate for occupational therapy in order to enhance the health of the public in its medical community, and educational environments through research, education, action, service, and establishment and enforcement of standards.
  3. To assist as a link between the AOTA and the AOTA members in the state election area.
  4. To provide communication, education, and representation at the local level.

ARTICLE III - Membership

Section 1: Membership Classification

The membership of the SCOTA shall be divided into nine classes:

SCOTA Bylaws (deprecated)

Unpublished

Constitution and Bylaws Of The South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Original: April 1961, Revised: October 1971, June 1977, August 1984, June 1986, November 1994, November 1996, October 1999, September 2000, April 2002, October 2002, March 2004, March 2005, March 2006

ARTICLE I  -- Name

Section 1:
The organization shall be called the South Carolina Occupational therapy Association, Inc., hereafter referred to as the SCOTA.

Section 2:
SCOTA can be affiliated with the American Occupational Therapy Association, herein referred to as the AOTA.

ARTICLE II -- Objectives

The purpose of the organization shall be:

A. To collaborate with the AOTA in carrying out the objectives of the profession and providing for the advancement of occupational therapy.

B. To further the objectives set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of the SCOTA, to act as an advocate for occupational therapy in order to enhance the health of the public in its medical community, and educational environments through research, education, action, service, and establishment and enforcement of standards.

C. To assist as a link between the AOTA and the AOTA members in the state election area.

D. To provide communication, education, and representation at the local level.

ARTICLE III -- Membership

Section 1: Membership Classification
The membership of the SCOTA shall be divided into nine classes: