Your DB/State Association Executive Staff Are Hard at Work
Providing support to APA's district branches and state associations (DB/SAs) is a critically important job. APA continues to enhance our efforts to partner with and support DB/SA executive staff. Through this partnership we have increased collaboration, improved communication and information exchange, and established a team approach to getting the work done. I would like to highlight the outstanding work performed by the executive staff of our district branches.
Executive staff are responsible for the day-to-day management of operations, programs, and services for APA's DB/SAs. Working with the district branch president and executive council, executive staff develop and implement the overall strategic direction of the DB/SA and assist officers in the development and written communication of DB/SA policies.
The objective of executive staff is to fulfill the mission, goals, and values of their respective DB/SAs by promoting participation of the members and fostering positive relationships within the mental health system locally and nationally. In doing so, executive staff become proficient as supervisors, human resources specialists, information systems directors, meeting planners, CME program directors, fundraisers, membership managers, recruiters, financial/budgetary planners and managers, communication and public affairs specialists, newsletter writers, ethics-process managers, and the“ answer center” for members and the public—to name just a few of their responsibilities.
Executive staff must also maintain awareness of state legislative and regulatory activities and either coordinate with the lobbyists who work with them under contract or, in many cases, serve as DB/SA lobbyists. They often represent the DB/SA in external professional groups or coalitions.
DB/SA staff have been most helpful in partnering with APA staff and components to develop APA programs as well. Here are a few:
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DB/SA staff serve as consultants to APA's Council on Member and District Branch Relations. The Board of Trustees has directed this council to develop and implement the guidelines for the new financial grant program for DB/SAs. Grant applications are due July 1. More information is available by contacting Lori Klinedinst by phone at (703) 907-7849 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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The DB Advisory Corresponding Committee, composed of five DB/SA staff, is developing a document to define a “model district branch” to assist in infrastructure-funding decisions.
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Working with APA's Corresponding Committee on Physician Health, Illness, and Impairment, staff developed a draft resource tool titled “Closing a Practice.” When in final form, this resource will identify immediate steps required in the event of an emergency closing of a practice, recognize key clinical and administrative processes, and identify risk-management issues arising from closing a practice.
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APA's Membership Committee has a DB/SA staff consultant who plays a critical role in the development of membership policies and procedures and brings a unique perspective to the discussions.
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A work group of DB/SA staff is beginning to develop an orientation program for new DB/SA staff. Staff are also involved in the development of the Incoming President/President-Elect Orientation Program at this month's 2005 annual meeting in Atlanta.
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DB/SA staff serve as consultants on the Work Group on Information Systems and have been key in discussions regarding the implementation of APA's new customer-relations management system (known as TMA Resources Inc. Integrated Membership Services Solution, or TIMSS). Fifteen DB/SA staff from across the country participated in a demonstration of the prototype of the TIMSS e-business application and provided critical input that will be incorporated as the e-business application is defined.
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Last November, under the direction of APA's Office of Ethics and DB/SA Relations, APA hosted its first Leadership Conference for DB/SA Executive Staff. This two-day educational conference provided an excellent opportunity for DB/SA staff to enhance their professional skills and to network with colleagues from across the country. Topics included “Effective Management of District Branch and State Associations,” “Sharing and Using Management Tools,” “Strategic Planning Tips and Template,” and “Working With Volunteers, Boards, and Committees.” The program also included breakout sessions where staff could strategize and share information. This November, staff will participate with their ethics chairs in an ethics workshop.
While a number of APA offices work with DB/SA executive staff, it is the Office of Ethics and DB/SA Relations that is charged with fostering closer working relationships with them by serving as an information clearinghouse and referral service on a range of organizational issues, benefits, and problem resolution. The director of the office is Linda Hughes. We recently added another layer of support for the DB/SAs through the creation of the communications information specialist position in the APA Office of Communications and Public Affairs (OCPA). The position, filled by Raymond Riley, will help strengthen communications coordination between the Ethics and DB/SA Relations Office and OCPA, as well as strengthen our support to DB/SAs on their local public relations and media relations efforts.
Our members should be proud of the job that DB/SA executive staff do on our behalf. I welcome you to join me in thanking a fine group of professionals.
I am always looking for ways to improve service to our members and our partnership with our DB/SAs and welcome your ideas. Please forward your comments and suggestions to me at [email protected].▪
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Published online: 20 May 2005
Published in print: May 20, 2005
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