Midyear Regional Meeting Policy Process Preparation Adam Loyson, Regional Delegate - Region IV

1. Midyear Regional Meeting Policy Process PreparationAdam Loyson, Regional Delegate - Region IV

2. Midyear Regional Meeting September is prime time for preparing your chapter for the following activities at APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meeting (MRM): • APhA-ASP Policy Process • Election of Regional Officers

3. APhA-ASP Policy Process • What is a Policy or Resolution? • A policy or resolution states APhA-ASP’s official position on a variety of important issues such as political advocacy and pharmacy education • Creates a unified voice for student pharmacists • Provides students with guidance to lobby local, state, and national political issues • What is the Policy Process? • A democratic means by which student pharmacist can raise issues, debate them, and formulate our collective position

4. APhA-ASP Policy Process It Starts With One… One Member. One Idea. Step 1: APhA-ASP Member has an Idea • Idea that affects student pharmacists the profession of pharmacy Step 2: Chapters Discuss Ideas • Member takes idea to chapter for discussion

5. APhA-ASP Policy Process Step 3: Chapters Attend the MRM Policy Proposal Forum • Idea is proposed and floor is opened for debate Step 4: Chapter Delegates Convene at the MRM Closing Business Session • One delegate from each chapter votes in favor or opposition to the resolution

6. APhA-ASP Policy Process From MRM to Annual… Step 5: APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee Discuss Resolutions Passed at MRM • Regional Delegates meet in January to review all of the ideas passed in each region, and choose the most important ideas to discuss at the Annual Meeting

7. Your Chapter’s Resolution • This year, we are piloting a new process where each chapter puts forward one resolution at MRM • Submit your chosen resolution to your Regional Delegate by the deadline of October 12th, roughly three weeks before the opening of Region IV’s MRM

8. Implications of “1 Chapter, 1 Resolution” • Start the policy writing process for your chapter earlier in the year • Host informal events, like Pizza and Policy, to develop resolution ideas within your chapter • Hold a mock House of Delegates (HOD) to decide between different ideas in your chapter • See mock HOD supplemental PowerPoint • Have at least one alternate resolution in the case that your original thought is duplicated

9. Pizza and Policy • Chapter members come together to discuss current policy and advocacy topics affecting pharmacy while enjoying pizza • Choose a topic • Use the meeting as a brainstorming session for MRM policies • Identify a current hot topic affecting the field of pharmacy • Order pizza • Invite members from your state association or professors to offer their expert knowledge on the topic being discussed. • Let the round table discussion begin! • Give students background on the topic being discussed • Open the floor up for comments and discussion

10. Creating a Policy Resolution • Emphasis on creativity • See past APhA-ASP Adopted Resolutions (http://www.pharmacist.com/sites/default/files/files/ASP_Adopted_Resolutions.pdf) • Review previous resolutions to ensure originality • Emphasis on quality • Create solid background statements with researched references • Reference any resolutions that are already adopted • If idea is similar to current standing resolutions, chapters should defend why their resolution is different

11. Creating a Policy Resolution • Emphasis on innovation • Example resolutions from this past year’s APhA2012 Annual Meeting are attached in email • Emphasis on support • Each chapter is strongly encouraged to take this opportunity to advocate on the behalf of their profession • It only takes one student pharmacist to change the pharmacy profession!

12. Mock House of Delegates Chapters are encouraged to host a mock House of Delegates event, in order to: • Familiarize the chapter delegate and other members with the procedures used at MRM and Annual Meeting • Select which resolution the chapter will put forward at Region IV’s MRM • See mock HOD supplemental PowerPoint • See APhA-ASP: The Capsule; Introduction and Orientation to the APhA-ASP Policy Process (http://www.pharmacist.com/what-apha-asp-policy-process)

13. MRM Elections • Leadership opportunities within your region • Regional Delegate • Regional Member-at-Large • Regional Midyear Regional Meeting Coordinator (MRMC) • Voted on at the Closing Business Session at MRM

14. MRM Election Procedures • Submit an application for APhA-ASP elected office. • Complete the Regional Officer Candidate Examination • Participate in the Meet the Candidates Session • Be interviewed by the Regional Nominating Committee • Provide up to a four-minute speech during the MRM Closing Business Session • Be present during the MRM Closing Business Session in which he/she is elected.

15. Regional Delegate • Responsible for promoting policy and advocacy activities within their region • Serve on the APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee • Attend the APhA-ASP Regional Officer Meeting held each January in Washington, DC • Responsibilities at the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition and APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meeting.

16. Important Dates • Dates specific to Region IV APhA-ASP Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy • Policy Proposals Due • Friday, October 12th • Proposals can be submitted before due date • Notification of possible Policy Proposal duplicates with other chapters • Monday, October 15th • Please send all proposals and questions to loysonad@umich.edu

17. Adam Loyson, loysonad@umich.edu 2011-12 Regional Delegate • Please contact me with any questions you may have • I look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s Region IV MRM in Madison, WI!