AABIP Regional Chapters

I. Summary of proposal

Members of the AABIP believe that there is value in developing regional Chapters to gather more grassroots business, improve AABIP’s leadership communication with its members and increase awareness on what AABIP does and can do for them. The loco-regional chapters further the purposes of the AABIP at a state or multi-state level. Each chapter represents a state or small group of states. Each chapter has one leader referred to as a Representative, which is elected by the AABIP members in that region. The resulting Council of Representatives should be the main vehicle through which the BOD communicates with the membership and in turn, the membership keeps the BOD updated regarding their needs as practicing interventional chest physicians. Though having AABIP chapters may be beneficial for the interventional pulmonology community, there is a need for creating standard operating procedures. This document describes the goals and responsibilities of such chapters. When reviewed and revised by the BOD, it must be voted into bylaws.

II. Specific Goals of the Chapters:

1. To serve as a local representative of the AABIP, advertise and promote its mission among the local chest physicians
2. To oversee and supervise the variety of the regional educational activities in the area of Interventional Pulmonology
3. To facilitate collaboration among the regional interventional pulmonologists in clinical training and research projects

III. Overview of Duties and Responsibilities:

Chapters operate under the direction of the Membership committee. The internal organization of each Chapter is left at the discretion of the loco-regional Representative as long as the following responsibilities and conditions are met.

1. Prior approval must be obtained from the AABIP Membership committee for any emails, including but not limited to advertising and surveys, intended to be sent to the regional healthcare providers on behalf of the AABIP
2. All loco-regional educational activities developed by a specific Chapter endorsed by the AABIP must be reviewed by the Membership and Education Committees
3. Ten percent (10%) of the revenue from all AABIP endorsed CME or non CME loco-regional educational events will be donated to the AABIP’s research funds
4. The leadership of each Chapter should include ONE interventional chest physician (pulmonologist or thoracic surgeon) elected by the local members every 4 years. The elected Representatives must attend a conference call every quarter (organized by the Membership Committee) and must communicate with the Membership committee regarding all activities outlined in III.1 and III.2. Representatives’ term can be prematurely terminated if the BOD becomes aware of, and agrees that their actions or behaviors are discordant from AABIP’s strategic plan or ethical conduct. Other responsibilities include:
   • Advocacy:
     • Present at least one advocacy-related lecture every year in their communities
     • Reach out to their local legislators or their staff at least twice during their term
       • Identify and address local regulatory issues with regards to the practice of interventional pulmonology
       • Identify advocacy champions to support AABIP national advocacy outreach (become or identify a loco-regionally trusted medical affairs resource person to communicate with the local or regional legislators)
       • Send a letter to their local legislator at least twice a year on topics determined locally based on the members’ needs to strengthen the local voice from professionals to legislators
     • Membership:
       • Ensures retention of members through personal contact
         • Facilitate communication with dues-delinquent or departing AABIP members
         • Promote the use of AABIP educational and research resources
       • Communicate regularly (quarterly) and survey the constituents (biannually) using email blast about membership needs
       • Provide a voice to and for members at the loco-regional level with regard to their professional needs, focusing on membership, education, and reimbursement
     • Education:
       • Survey members in their region about educational needs
       • Disseminate evidence based interventional pulmonology- related educational information to members in their region
       • Promote AABIP educational activities to members in their region
       • Provide opportunities to engage junior professionals in chapter activities or leadership including chapter educational programs
       • Attend a structured leadership development lecture/symposium during the course of their appointment

IV. Composition and accountability of Council of Representatives (COR)

1. The COR, when fully constituted, will have members representing the following regions (Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast)
2. Chapters startups: The Membership Committee encourages the development of new local chapters within these regions if deemed necessary and agreed upon by the BOD
3. The local organization of each chapter is the responsibility and left at the discretion of the loco-regional Representatives to encourage autonomy and make the Chapter more relevant to the local community need
4. The term of a Representative is 4 years with eligibility for re-appointment for another 2 years. Nomination procedures for available seats are the responsibility of the Nominating Committee and should be performed based on the current standard operating procedures.
5. The COR is accountable to the AABIP Membership committee which reports to the BOD
   • The Chair of the Membership committee reserves the right to inform the BOD of any Representatives’ misconduct or consistent failure to participate in the COR’s tasks of advocacy, education and membership. The Representative can be dismissed if the BOD agrees through voting
   • The Representatives or their appointees are expected to attend at lest 50% of the scheduled conference calls each year
   • The Representatives will deliver a brief report (year in review) at the conclusion of the year which will be presented at the BOD meeting and subsequently will be made publicly available on the AABIP’s website

V. Disclaimer

The information provided and opinions reflected in the statements of individual Representatives or publications of the chapters represent the views of the author(s) or position of the chapter only. The AABIP does not share, endorse, or warrant any such information or opinion published or provided by a chapter unless specifically indicated otherwise.

References

1. American College of Chest Physicians. ACCP CoG-Policy manual -2013
2. American Thoracic Society. http://www.thoracic.org/chapters/resources/2014-01-2013-Chapter-Year-in-Review.pdf; accessed on 7/4/14
3. Society of Thoracic Surgeons. http://www.sts.org/advocacy ; accessed on 7/4/14