Resolutions Help Shape the Future of the Specialty
As a member of the Board of Governors (BOG) Executive Committee I am often asked how an individual member or BOG society can make a difference or communicate local issues, concerns, or trends to the AAO-HNS Board of Directors (BOD). Every member of the BOG has the opportunity to participate in and shape the future of the specialty. Submitting a resolution to the Board of Governors is the key to getting your issue to the BOG and BOD.
Board of Governors’ resolutions provide an opportunity for the membership to raise issues affecting the specialty and recommend solutions to the Board of Directors. A resolution is a request for the AAO-HNS Board of Directors to take action, consider an idea or strategy, and adopt policy or take a position.
Follow the Process
Understanding the resolution process is crucial to submitting an effective and approvable resolution. Missing a step or a piece of information can prevent or delay the resolution and approval.
Any AAO-HNS member who is a member of a BOG society may introduce a resolution via one of the BOG society representatives. All resolutions are submitted to the BOG Secretary who forwards them to the appropriate BOG committee for consideration.
List of BOG Societies and representatives
The BOG Secretary issues a call for resolutions twice a year, prior to the Annual Meeting and the AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum. Resolutions must be submitted 30 days prior to each of these meetings. For example resolutions to be considered at the BOG General Assembly meeting on Monday, March 16, 2015 must be submitted no later than Friday, February 13, 2015.
Crafting Your Resolution
There have been many great ideas that come forward in resolutions that are not considered or approved because they are not actionable or lack adequate information. When writing a resolution the following items need to be considered.
Is the resolution:
- Actionable
- Affordable and within the limits of the resources of the organization
- Within the core mission of the organization (Working for the Best Ear, Nose, and Throat Care)
- Within the scope of influence of the organization
- Within the scope of strategic activity of the organization
- Reasonable, ethical, and legal
When writing a resolution include all background information (do the research), address issues of strategic importance, include an appropriate preamble (whereas—background information), include a “resolved” statement that is the call to action, and include a fiscal note and impact on staff resources (the BOG Department can assist in identifying financial and human resources).
Sample model resolution:
Whereas, more than 100 individual Pay for Performance efforts are currently underway in the U.S. Healthcare sector.
Whereas, otolaryngologists across the country will soon be asked and encouraged to participate in these programs.
Whereas, there is little agreement to measure or reward quality in otolaryngology Pay for Performance programs.
Be it therefore resolved, that the Academy create a commission to evaluate already existing or developing Pay for Performance programs and grant or deny endorsement/approval.
It is also important to consider the timeliness of the resolution and the resources needed for the AAO-HNS BOD to take action. While criteria have been established to respond to emergency requests, most resolutions are not emergencies. Resolutions brought forward at the September meeting will be included in the strategic planning and budgeting process for the following year.
Your BOG Executive Committee works on behalf of the grassroots members. We are here to bring your issues to the attention of the AAO-HNS Board of Directors. However, you must make your resolutions thoughtful, actionable, and timely. Submit your resolutions by Friday, February 13, 2015 to be considered during the 2015 AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum. Please see below for a link to the Resolution Form. The BOG Staff and members of your BOG Executive Committee are available to help you identify the resources necessary to complete your resolution. Contact the BOG department at 1-703-535-3726 or bog@entnet.org.
Jerry Schreibstein, MD
Chair (2008-2009), Board of Governors
