The Board of Directors of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is seeking nominations for Alternate Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Congress of Delegates. Members interested in applying for this position must be an active OAFP member and submit the following documentation:- Online Application and Delegate Questionnaire
- Two-page Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Deadline to submit materials is Friday, January 5, 2024. Please send your CV and delegate questionnaire to Executive Vice President Kate Mahler, CAE, or mail them to 4075 N, High St. Columbus, OH 43214.
Candidate materials will be reviewed by the OAFP National Action Workgroup and a recommendation for selection will be made by the Board of Directors by presidential appointment at its next meeting set for Wednesday, February 7, 2024. Per OAFP Bylaws, all appointments shall terminate at the next annual meeting at which time the OAFP Nominating Committee shall present a nominee for the unexpired term.
Powers and Duties of AAFP Delegates and Alternate Delegates: (As defined by OAFP Bylaws)
The delegates and alternate delegates to the AAFP Congress of Delegates from the OAFP, elected for a two-year term, shall be appointed to the OAFP Board of Directors with full privileges as members are entitled. (Chapter XI, Section 1- Board of Directors)
It shall be the duty of the delegates to attend all meetings of the AAFP Congress of Delegates as representatives from the OAFP. In the event the delegate cannot be present at the AAFP Congress of Delegates, the alternate delegate shall assume the powers and duties of the delegate. (Chapter XIV, Section 9 – Power and Duties of Officers)
The delegates and alternates shall be ex officio members, with vote, of the OAFP Board of Directors and attend all of its meetings. Their term of office shall begin immediately following their election and continue until a successor is elected, except when an AAFP delegate or alternate is serving as an AAFP officer he or she shall resign as an AAFP delegate or alternate. (Chapter XIV, Section 9 – Power and Duties of Officers)
- Works with other members of the Board of Directors to ensure that OAFP activities are focused appropriately to achieve our mission and strategic plan.
- Represents the OAFP at the AAFP Congress of Delegates; attends reference committees and all other appropriate meetings held for delegates and alternate delegates during the Congress of Delegates.
- Prepares for the Congress of Delegates by reviewing and researching as necessary the resolutions and board reports presented to the AAFP Congress of Delegates for consideration.
- Understands AAFP Congress of Delegates rules of procedure in order to effectively represent the OAFP and participate proficiently in AAFP Congress of Delegates proceedings.
- Meets jointly with other OAFP delegates and alternate delegates prior to the AAFP Congress of Delegates to review submitted resolutions in order to develop a consensus opinion for Ohio on resolutions and/or issues under consideration of the AAFP Congress of Delegates.
- Analyzes the qualifications of candidates for AAFP office focusing not only on the candidate speech and candidate question/answer session but also in a longitudinal fashion weighing the candidates’ entire body of relevant work in leadership to the AAFP and family medicine. (While candidates for AAFP office will be discussed at the National Action Workgroup meetings held in conjunction with the AAFP Congress of Delegates, delegates are not bound to vote according to the consensus opinion reached at those National Action Workgroup meetings. Candidates from the Ten State region will be reviewed in that context and can be favored in instances of equal experience and qualifications.)
- May opt to attend one other out-of-state meeting other than the AAFP Congress of Delegates, if desired; that other meeting could be the AAFP Annual Chapter Leader Forum (ACLF), Ten State, another constituent chapter annual meeting, or any other appropriate meeting that promotes the mission and goals of the OAFP and is approved by the OAFP Board of Directors in advance.
- Attends the OAFP annual meeting and OAFP board meetings to hear testimony on resolutions presented so they can fairly represent the OAFP should any of these resolutions or items go forward to the AAFP Congress of Delegates.
- Writes and refines items from the OAFP that need to go forward to the AAFP; makes the arrangements for these items to be forwarded to the AAFP.
- Serves on the OAFP Board of Directors as an ex officio member with vote (both delegates and alternates) and attends all board meetings providing information back to the board on AAFP issues and learning what OAFP discussions should be carried forth to the AAFP.
- Serves on and attends all National Action Workgroup meetings, assisting with the campaign efforts for anyone running for national office.
- Prepares a written report on the AAFP Congress of Delegates meeting for the OAFP Board of Directors for distribution at the next regularly scheduled OAFP board meeting that follows the AAFP Congress of Delegates.
- Writes an article on the AAFP Congress of Delegates for publication in The Ohio Family Physician and Weekly Family Medicine Update.
- Periodically reviews the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the AAFP delegate/alternate positions to ensure SOP is accurate and current.
Travel Responsibilities
- Attends OAFP board meetings and National Action Workgroup meetings
- The delegates and alternate delegates attend the AAFP Congress of Delegates and may opt to attend one other out-of-state meeting other than the AAFP Congress of Delegates; that other meeting could be the AAFP Annual Chapter Leader Forum (ACLF), Ten State, another constituent chapter annual meeting, or any other appropriate meeting that promotes the mission and goals of the OAFP and is approved in advance by the OAFP board.
- The delegate and alternate delegates’ travel will be reimbursed in accordance with the current OAFP travel reimbursement policy.
- Greets out-of-state guests during the annual meeting (welcoming them and offering to provide information, assistance as needed and as is appropriate)
- Greets other official representatives or guests who attend the annual meeting (welcoming them and offering to provide information, assistance as needed and as is appropriate)
- Appears before the Nominating Committee to provide any information as appropriate
- Attends the OAFP annual meeting business session.
Questions? Please contact Executive Vice President Kate Mahler, CAE, or call 614.914.5626.