June 1999
Volume 63 |
Number 6
|
| |
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
|
| If You Cannot
Do Everything, Do Something! |
Barry M. Glazer, M.D., Speaker of the House of Delegates
I would like to take this opportunity to do two things: briefly
discuss what I do for ASA and then to discuss, at some length,
what you can do, some of which will be the very simplest of actions.
The primary responsibility of the Speaker of ASA's House of
Delegates is to serve as presiding officer at the two meetings
of the House at ASA's Annual Meeting, in cooperation with the
Vice Speaker. This includes oversight for the conduct of Reference
Committee hearings. These hearings provide a mechanism for every
member of ASA to participate in the deliberations and to provide
input, as ASA's legislative body develops the Society's policies,
programs and positions. The Speaker provides details about the
functioning of the House and the Reference Committee system each
year in the August NEWSLETTER.
Since that article already provides me with an opportunity to
describe the activities of the House of Delegates, let us discuss
something else - the many ways that every member of ASA can contribute
to the health of our specialty and of our professional Society.
First of all, there are the simplest measures. Ensure that your
dues are paid on time every year, saving ASA the trouble and expense
of repeated billings and threats of dropped membership. Provide
ASA with your telephone number, fax number and e-mail address
(if you have one), when requested, so that our Executive Office
can begin to build a membership database that will permit us to
contact you rapidly about urgent matters, when necessary, and
to begin to build a 21st-century communications system. ASA will
not use such information to intrude on your privacy.
Secondly, a few activities that might require a little effort.
Write a check in some amount to our political action committee
(PAC). In our current political system, it provides the mechanism
for us to gain an audience with influential members of Congress
and to thank those who support our legislative agenda. The percentage
of members joining the PAC is as important as the amount of their
contributions, so if you feel the requested amount is too much,
then you decide what is appropriate, but please write the check!
Watch for the President's Update mailings and read them
promptly. They provide an abbreviated explanation of critical
issues impacting our specialty. When there is a call for action,
please take the time to respond appropriately.
Get to know your state and federal legislators. If you can,
develop a personal relationship with them, and even consider participating
in their campaigns at some level. At a minimum, find out who your
representatives and senators are, how to contact them at both
the state and federal level. Write or call them when requested.
If you receive a member survey, take the time to think carefully
about your responses and to provide them promptly. ASA is currently
implementing numerous activities based on our strategic plan,
which in turn is based on membership surveys. The plan will be
updated at intervals, so your changing opinions can influence
the direction of ASA.
Speak up with your opinions on issues affecting anesthesiology.
Express your concerns to ASA's officers and your state's component
society officers. Use ASA's headquarters to find out what we are
doing and how you can help with regard to issues of importance
to you. Do the same at the state level. Learn what works and what
does not, what can be done, and what is beyond realistic expectations.
Get to know your delegates to ASA's House of Delegates and your
Director on the ASA Board, and make sure they know your opinions
and concerns. They are the mechanism through which you can most
effectively implement new ASA programs and positions or influence
the direction of existing activities. I firmly believe and observe
on a regular basis that these representatives are reliable ambassadors
for their constituents, but they cannot guess what you are thinking.
Be a good medical citizen. Provide good service to your associates,
your surgeons and your patients. Participate in a positive manner
in medical staff committees. Look for opportunities where your
personal interests and talents can be turned into a contribution
to the benefit of your anesthesiology department, your medical
staff and your hospital. Be a visible and positive member of the
nonmedical community. There is nothing ASA can do in its public
relations activities to counteract a negative image of our profession
that may occur on the local, personal level. There is nothing
better for our specialty than our tens of thousands of members,
each, as individuals, making a positive contribution to our image.
I certainly understand that no individual can do all these things.
This is why every individual should do something. Some
do not have the time, and some do not have the talents, resources
or desire to do many of the activities that I have suggested.
If you cannot do everything, please do not decide that the appropriate
alternative is to do nothing.
Review these activities, decide which are important to you and
to anesthesiology, and place them somewhere in your life's priorities.
When every member makes some contribution, the power of our specialty
will be immeasurable.
return to top
|