November 7, 2010

Greetings,

My first meeting of the Representative Assembly as your Representative starts on Monday, November 8^th and runs through the 19th.   Given this is my first time using the on-line meeting process I apologize for being a bit behind in getting information out to all of you!!!  I hope that you will take time to review the meeting agenda, the issues that we will be discussing and give me your feedback so that it can be represented during the meeting.   You can view the items that will be discussed at the meeting and follow along with the discussions through the AOTA Website.   The meeting agenda and items is posted under the Governance Section of the website.   You can also get more information and follow along using OT Connections.   AOTA Members have access to the discussions that take part of this meeting but cannot post during the meeting.   I encourage you to check out the various activities that will take place over the 2 week period.

Fall RA 2010 Meeting information is posted at  http://www.aota.org/Governance/RA/FallOnline.aspx (you will need to sign into your AOTA Account to access this information)

Representative Assembly Fall 2010 Meeting discussion and activities can be followed on OT Connections. (You will need to sign up for that group)

There are a series of action items that will require a vote during the meeting and I would love to hear your input/feedback as I deliberate on your behalf.   The item by the Commission on Practice and The Commission on Education relate to the same issue so are combined in my description but will be acted upon separately.  The items that are up on the agenda for action include:

1) Approval of Societal Statement on Obesity Revision -  The Representative Assembly Coordinating Council (RACC) recently undertook the task of reviewing all of AOTA’s Societal Statements and are recommending the changes in this statement to be consistent with the current AOTA guidelines for societal statements.   (A copy of this paper is available on the RA Meeting Webpage at:  http://www.aota.org/Governance/RA/Online.aspx (AOTA Logon required to access))

2) Approval of “Practice Advisory: Services Provided by Students in Fieldwork Level II Settings” - Commission on Education and the Commission on Practice have an action item to approve this new document that addresses issues related to students providing services in various setting, specifically skilled care whereby there have been issues associated with Medicare reimbursement.  (A copy of this paper is available on the RA Meeting Webpage at:  http://www.aota.org/Governance/RA/Online.aspx (AOTA Logon required to access))   The paper proposed for approval addresses the following:

• specifies supervision guidelines to follow for providing appropriate
• supervision to students during fieldwork, in particular as they relate to OTA fieldwork in skilled nursing facilities;
• establishes supervision requirements and responsibilities for occupational therapy assistant students during the delivery of occupational therapy services;
• clarifies AOTA’s position that Level II Fieldwork students are providing the skilled occupational therapy intervention, when adhering to the supervisory principles stated and with other regulatory and payer requirements;
• clarifies that those services should be reimbursable by Medicare when the student is appropriately supervised

3)    Bylaws, Policies and Procedures Committee has 8 motions for action.  (The documents associated with these motions are available on the RA Meeting Webpage at:  http://www.aota.org/Governance/RA/Online.aspx (AOTA Logon required to access))   They included:

a. Adopt document:  Levels and Process for Review of Official Representative Assembly Documents of the RACC SOP

b.    Adopt revised:  AOTA Awards Descriptions, Information, Requirements & General Procedures of the Recognitions SOP

c.    Adopt the revised:  Vice Speaker Job Description

d. Adopt the revised:  Nomination form that is part of the Representative and Alternative Representative Job Description

e. Adopt the revised:  Glossary of Terms

f.     Adopt the revised:  Administrative Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

g.    Adopt the document:  Basics of Managing Motions which is part of the Administrative SOP

h.    Rescind the document:  Parliamentary Management of Motions which is part of the Administrative SOP

i.      Rescind the document:  Internal Document Evaluation Checklist which is part of the Administrative SOP

Please feel free to give me feedback on any of these action items as well as any of the other reports which are part of the Fall 20110 Representative Meeting.  I welcome your input!!  There is a survey document whereby you can provide feedback on the various action items on-line at:  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BBFNXBZFX or you can send me an email directly at guiness@uic.edu.  Feel free to call me as well!

Robin Jones, MPA, COTA/L, ROH

Illinois Representative to the Representative Assembly

312-208-0754 (Cell phone)

guiness@uic.edu

October 7, 2010

AOTA has announced a new program aimed at developing leaders in the profession.  This is consistent with AOTA’s Centennial Vision and compliments the recently released COOL program (information in previous message posted to the List or available on AOTA’s website).   Please pass this information along to individuals that you think may be interested.   Individuals must be members of AOTA to participate.

Thank you,

Robin Jones, MPA, COTA/L, ROH

Illinois Representative, AOTA Representative Assembly

AOTA Emerging Leaders Development Program

Letter of Invitation and Application

The continued development of strong leaders within the profession is essential to achieving the goals we have for the Centennial Vision. The Emerging Leaders Development Program recognizes and develops those emerging practitioners who have shown an initial dedication to the profession and service at the start of their career. The program provides selected candidates with leadership training and ongoing mentorship while identifying needs for service within AOTA, and matching current opportunities with each participant’s own leadership goals.

Once candidates are chosen, they will receive a formal face-to-face (2-day) training focusing on leadership development and other components of the program. Following this training, candidates will participate in a service learning component where they will collaborate with AOTA or a state association on a project or leadership role where they fill a real need. Assistance will be given to match current needs and opportunities with candidate interest areas. The training program will also include a formal mentored experience where emerging leaders are paired with individuals who currently hold a leadership position within AOTA. This period of formal mentorship will continue for at least 1 year following the face-to-face training. Participant emerging leaders will also be expected to share their experiences via AOTA publications or formal/informal presentations.

Who Should Apply?

Candidates considered for this program may be OT or OTA students in the last year of their professional preparation or new practitioners with 5 or fewer years of experience. Candidates must also be current members of AOTA.

This is a program for individuals who see themselves staying involved in AOTA leadership and volunteer opportunities. Candidates must be able to commit to the following:

• attendance at a funded 2-day training at AOTA in Bethesda on January 14 & 15, 2011;
• a formal mentorship/training period of 12 months;
• completion of a service learning project decided upon in collaboration with their mentor; and
• an expectation of ongoing leadership service within AOTA for a period of time.

It is the program’s goal and hope that the leadership training and experience inspires individuals to continue service within AOTA throughout their careers.

Application Process

Submit a personal letter of intent (no more than three pages, double spaced, 12-point font) describing why you see yourself as an emerging leader. In your narrative, please include the following:

• Please tell us specifically what you hope to accomplish in your career and professional life, listing any personal and professional goals as they relate to your leadership development.

• Discuss how/why you think your participation in the Emerging Leaders Development Program will help you grow in your current role, as well as achieve your goals. Please specifically share how participation in this program will enable you to develop a trajectory towards leadership within AOTA and the profession.

• Include a list of your past and current leadership experiences (professional as well as community) and choose one example to describe how you demonstrated leadership most effectively. Please provide examples of how you were able to successfully lead others, citing any personal challenges and achievements during that particular experience.

• Provide an explanation of how you see yourself benefitting from a structured mentoring relationship within the organizational structure of AOTA and what you would bring to a mentoring partnership. Please also identify areas within the organizational structure of AOTA (COP, COE, Ethics, SIS, etc.) that you are interested in working with during your period of mentorship.

Applications to the Emerging Leaders Development Program also require a letter of reference from a current AOTA member who has firsthand knowledge of your leadership ability. The reference letter should provide a strong recommendation, as it accounts for approximately 1/3 of the total score in the selection process. Individuals providing the letter of reference may come from schools, be existing AOTA leaders, or be involved in state associations. Reference letters should specifically address aspects of your personal character, leadership qualities you possess, your leadership potential, and their opinion as to your appropriateness for this program and potential to successfully complete the program.

Please include your resume and e-mail address. Applications should be electronically submitted to vstein@aota.org and be received no later than November 2, 2010. No hard copy applications will be considered.