AOTA Members Sought to Serve on AOTPAC Board of Directors
Application Deadline: June 5, 2009
AOTPAC seeks a Director for its Region II area. The current Director, Monica Robinson, will step down on June 30 to assume the position of president of the Ohio OT Association. The replacement will serve the remainder of the calendar year and start a full three year term on January 1, 2010.
Does your adrenaline kick in when the talk turns to politics or what the U.S. Congress is doing now? Are you interested and/or involved in politics? Do you want to use your talents and experience to actively participate in the support of your profession?
If so, the American Occupational Therapy Association Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) Board of Directors has an opportunity for you. AOTPAC Chair Amy Lamb says, “I’m looking for individuals with knowledge and experience in the political and legislative arena, with the energy, desire, and commitment to help move AOTPAC into a leading national health PAC.” We are seeking candidates to serve on the AOTPAC Board of Directors to fill one vacancy. This is an excellent opportunity to volunteer your time and talents to actively participate in the support of your profession and to influence the U.S. Congressional elections.
If you are an AOTA member who has been active at the state and/or federal level advocating for your profession or working on campaigns for elected office, we need you! Apply today to represent your fellow members and work with a dynamic group of OTs/OTAs from around the country on this important committee. Help make occupational therapy a profession that is taken seriously in the political and legislative arena—a profession that is known by all members of the U.S. Congress and one that is consulted on national health, education, and labor initiatives.
The AOTPAC Board of Directors is seeking nominations for its director of Region II, which includes: Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, District of Columbia, and West Virginia. The candidate must be a member of AOTA and a state association within the region, must be an AOTPAC supporter, and must have some background/history of working in the local, state, or national political arena (see other criteria below). The position is a 3-year appointment.
Duties
- Must be a dynamic and energetic public speaker who can motivate individuals and convey the importance of active involvement of each OT/OTA and student in his or her state association, AOTA, and AOTPAC
- Must be able to solicit money from OTs/OTAs and students as a major responsibility of the Board to raise funds for AOTPAC
- Must have the ability to travel to 2 to 3 state conferences within his or her region each year, to provide a motivational address to become active members of the state and national OT associations, to educate about the importance of AOTPAC, and to solicit financial contributions to AOTPAC
- Must have the ability to travel to the AOTA Annual Conference & Expo and be there for the week, participating in AOTPAC functions
If you are interested and meet the criteria, or if you know someone you would like to nominate, contact AOTPAC today. Volunteer to serve on this committee—and make a difference for your profession!
Candidate Criteria
Member in good standing of AOTA and a state occupational therapy association; registered voter; U.S. citizen; high level of political awareness demonstrated by past political activities; demonstrated leadership in state and/or national AOTA activities; and must reside within the geographical boundaries of the region to be represented.
Additional Board member duties and responsibilities include:
- Participating in fund-raising, both collectively and individually
- Attending meetings, conferences, and functions of the AOTPAC Board
- Advocating for political action for AOTPAC and AOTA
- Maintaining an awareness of the current political climate
- Understanding, interpreting, and supporting the compatibility of AOTA and AOTPAC policy
- Advising AOTPAC staff
- Keeping abreast of political issues affecting the profession and the health care field in general
- Providing political education to members of AOTPAC and AOTA
- Promoting AOTPAC at the state and national level
Contacts/Application
If you are interested in serving on the AOTPAC Board of Directors and reside within the geographical boundaries of the Region position being sought, please contact AOTPAC at AOTA headquarters aotpac@aota.org or by phone 1-800-729-2682 ext. 2014 to obtain an application form and further instructions by mail or to get additional information.
Download application form and instructions.
Last Update: 05/18/09