In April, the Integrated Marketing and Communications Committee (IMC) asked national Alliance leaders to respond to a survey on social networking.  Fifty seven (57) national leaders – Board of Directors and committee members – were contacted.  Seventy nine percent (79%) responded.

 

Leaders were asked to provide their age and length of service in the Alliance. They were queried about which social networking tools they currently use, if any, and their level of comfort with the tools. They were also asked how comfortable they were with the tools' security and privacy.

 

Most members surveyed said they would like to use Facebook or other sites to connect with fellow Alliance members and share ideas.  Most said they'd like to use the sites' private discussion groups to discuss issues important to them.

 

Here's a recap of results:

 

Tools used:

81%     Facebook

51%     YouTube

21%     Twitter

21%     LinkedIn

 

Click here to read the full list recap of results...

 

Bylaws Committee
From Rita Seymore, Chair

The AMAA corporate documents are a dynamic instrument which we use to carry out the mission of the Alliance.  They need constant attention and nurturing to make sure they are serving as an aide to our members and leaders as they carry out the strategic plan for the Alliance.

 

The Bylaws Committee proposals for our Annual Meeting in June offer the delegates the opportunity to create bylaws which are concise and updated to reflect the direction of our organization, while offering the flexibility needed to function and meet the needs of our members.

 

Proposed amendments include:

• the addition of “partner” as a membership category
• updated language for the House of Delegates
• updated language for officers' election, term and duties and inclusion of the appointed officer (Executive Director)
• updated language for nominating committee eligibility, election, term, responsibilities, confidentiality, meetings, quorum, vacancies and removal
• updated language for Board of Directors' powers, responsibilities, accountability, term, vacancies, meetings, quorum and removal
• updated language for Executive Committee for composition, responsibilities, quorum and meetings
• updated language for committees which allows greater flexibility for the AMAA leaders to carry out the strategic plan with appropriate committee structure
• inclusion of Director Conflict of Interest language
• inclusion of Emergency Clause language

 

The delegates also will consider policies that were reviewed this year.

Legislative Committee
From Mary Shuman, Chair

      Alliance members gathered in Washington, D.C. to show unity with the advocacy agenda of the American Medical Association.  For three days, March 9 -11, members participated in the AMA Alliance Capitol Conference and the AMA National Advocacy Conference.

We advocated on behalf of patients, the medical profession and for the future of medicine.  Political commentator Chris Matthews and journalist Bill Kurtis provided insider views of the climate on Capitol Hill.  AMA Council on Legislation Chairman Dr. John Van Etta and Vice Chairman Dr. David Hannan discussed the top AMA advocacy topics. Members of Congress offered insights about expanding health coverage for America's 47 million uninsured patients.  And AMA lobbyists were available to help refine the messages we delivered during our visits to Capitol Hill. 

 

The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured found that nationally a one percentage point rise in unemployment results in 1.1 million more uninsured and 1 million more enrollees in Medicaid and SCHIP.  So it's likely that the number of uninsured people has climbed to 50 million, since a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau report found that the number of uninsured people has grown from 47 million in 2006.

 

Members of the AMA Alliance can become vocal and visible advocates for the uninsured.  We all have a friend or relative who is uninsured.  To learn more about the Voice for the Uninsured campaign go to the Alliance Web site and click on www.voicefortheuninsured.org.

 

 

The YMC blog that was launched in February is generating a lot of interest from our young members and receiving more than 600 hits per month.  This interactive tool was created by the YMC and is dedicated to subject matter relevant to young members and those in training.  Topics on the blog include book reviews, profiles of RPS/MSS groups and tips on medical family relationships, as well as resources such as links to RPS/MSS groups, links to articles specific to the training years and the ability to connect you to your new community prior to relocating.  If you would like to have your group highlighted, or have a suggestion for a topic or resource, contact Alliance Membership Director Julie Ziegler at  julie.ziegler@ama-assn.org.

Click here to visit the YMC blog on the Alliance Web site...

 

 

• Alliance announces new member advantage

• Have you held an especially successful fundraising event for your state or county Alliance?

• Read any good books lately? 

• Have you signed up for our Editorial Service?

• Here's a number worth adding to your cell phone

• Limited time reduced rates on Alliance international excursions

 

 

Think Don't Drink – County Alliance Partners with Police Department to Address Youth Drinking

 

The Iowa City Police Department joins the Johnson County Medical Society and Alliance in encouraging teens to enjoy the prom without alcohol or drugs, to buckle up, and to pay attention behind the wheel.  The police department issued the following news release to promote the joint program:

 

The Iowa City Police Department fully supports the "Think Don't Drink" public service project. The goal of the project is to encourage high school students to enjoy prom festivities without including alcohol in their celebration. The effort is spearheaded by the Johnson County Medical Society and Alliance in partnership with the Iowa City Police Department, the Coralville Police Department, area physicians and spouses, medical students and resident physician spouses.

 

Click here to read the rest of this Alliance success story...

 

 

 

 

AMA Alliance Wows Visitors with Redesigned Web Site

• I LOVE the new Web site!!!!! GOOD JOB!! It's very attractive & user-friendly!!!
• Wow!  I really like the new Web site.  It is well organized and easy to navigate.  I will check back often for more updates.
• Just opened the AMAA Web site and really liked it.  It's very user-friendly, attractive and inviting. The graphics and colors were bright and pleasing. This is a wonderful and informative site that should surely encourage spouses to consider becoming a member in the AMA Alliance. 

These are just three of the dozens of comments the AMA Alliance received after the recent launch of its completely redesigned and reorganized Web site www.amaalliance.org.

 

The Alliance has been working on Phase II of the Web site redesign and new navigation system based on reader comments and suggestions.  The main aim of the reorganization and redesign was to make the Web site organization and navigation more intuitive and more reflective of where Alliance members and other visitors would expect to find content. In addition, a variety of new features and topics — as a result of what users told the organization they would like to see on the site — have been added. 

 

Visitors are invited to take a few minutes and browse around, use the Google search feature, check in on the blog, catch up on the latest headlines and visit the job postings on the Healthe Careers page.

 

 

Quarterly Membership Report  

 

This series of quarterly membership reports is designed to assist you in assessing your membership status and potential and to provide researched answers to questions that leaders have regarding “best practices” for state and county Alliance membership reporting.

 

We hope this information is helpful to you and your leadership team.  All questions are invited, which we will answer in general terms so that all will benefit from the shared knowledge and no individual is identified.      

 

The latest state and county reports include national dues recorded through the end of March 2009. 

 

The reports are excel spreadsheets. 

• Column K in the state report shows the number of members recorded for your state through the end of the last year, ending June 30, 2008.  
• Compare this to Column H, which will tell you the number of members we have recorded for your state through March 31, 2009.  

The County report shares specific county membership details through March 31, 2009.

Treasurers' Question:

What is the significance of the March 31 dues submission deadline? 

 

March 31 is the deadline for state delegate allocation. Each state's delegate allocation for the Annual Meeting is based on the number of members submitted by March 31, so it's important to send in your membership dues by that date.

To report changes or ask a question contact:

 

Julie Ziegler, Director of Membership Marketing and Services: 312-464-4474 or Julie.Ziegler@ama-assn.org

 

Beth Kohr, Director of Finance: 312-464-4480 or Beth.Kohr@ama-assn.org

 

 

Alliance Member Appointed to AMPAC Board

 

The American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC) has appointed Alliance member Kay Brada of Wichita, Kansas to its Board of Directors.  Brada brings copious experience from involvement from the Medical Society of Sedgwick County Political Action Committee (SedgPAC), Kansas Medical Political Action Committee (KaMPAC) and the American Psychiatric Association Political Action Committee (APAPAC).  She is also currently serving on the board for KaMPAC.

 

Senator Susan Paddack, 2000-01 President of the AMA Alliance and former AMA Alliance AMPAC representative, recommended Brada's appointment after learning about her interest in the position.  She was also endorsed by KaMPAC.  Brada brings Alliance representation to the AMPAC.   “My responsibilities as the AMA Alliance board member to AMPAC are to educate AMAA members on the importance of contributing to AMPAC, of the necessity of speaking in united voice in a government governed by influence; encouraging AMAA members whose spouses belong to the AMA to contribute; and representing AMPAC at county and state meetings of medical societies and alliances,” Brada said.  With a focus on bringing Alliance representation to the AMPAC while attending AMPAC board meetings, Brada will voice an opinion on issues including, “voting to concur or withhold requests for contributions for federal candidates.”

 

The AMPAC board position requires PAC experience and demonstrated leadership skills.  Brada is president of the American Psychiatric Association Alliance (APAA).  She began her affiliation with the AMA Alliance more than 30 years ago.  On the state level, Brada served as the Kansas Medical Society Alliance 2000-01 President and held several officer and committee chair positions.  She continues to serve on the county and state level Alliances each year in several positions.  Her national Alliance service includes serving as the Legislation Committee Chair and the Bylaws Committee Chair.