APMA News - February 2012 - (Page 30)

Report from the APMAPAC Chair By Gerald D. Peterson, DPM We’re on a Roll I want to take a moment, as the celebration of APMA’s 100th Anniversary marches forward, to remind all of our members that without your support and contributions to APMAPAC for the last 39 years, the profession would not have made remarkable leaps forward in terms of our recognition as medical professionals. It has been through those contributions that we have been able to elect members of Congress who understand our issues and who will help us achieve our goals. As illustrated in the Federal Advocacy Forum (page 28), there have been many changes to the level of government involvement in health care in the past 50 years. So too, there have been many changes to the way organizations like APMA are allowed to advocate for their professions. In 1972, shortly after the Watergate scandal shook the nation, the federal government formed the Federal Election Commission (FEC), whose responsibility is to monitor and make transparent the activities of organizations and individuals taking part in the elections of candidates for federal office. This body, modified over time both by changes adopted by Congress as well as through decisions from the courts, established the mechanism through which individuals with a shared purpose may participate in the election of candidates for federal office: political action committees (PACs). It is important for all APMA members to understand that, as established by the FEC, our PAC has two bank accounts. One, the federal account, is where we deposit our members’ personal contributions. Donations to federal candidates’ campaigns come from this account. The other, the Government Education Fund (GEF), is where we deposit our members’ corporate contributions, as well as contributions from state societies and corporate sponsors of the Kaplan-Clarke Invitational. The GEF is the account from which we draw support for APMA’s legislative and lobbying activities. I’d like to direct your attention to this GEF account this month. We use the GEF to educate members of Congress. In partnership with APMA, the GEF supports the annual Legislative Conference to bring your state’s APMAPAC coordinator and state president to Capitol Hill to lobby for our profession. This two-day event brings together approximately 250 podiatric leaders and students from around the nation to pound the pavement for podiatric medicine. The fund also provides for resources such as the APMA eAdvocacy website (www.apma.org/eAdvocacy) and other advocacy materials for our membership. As much as the APMAPAC board needs your financial support through your personal contributions to ensure that we can elect candidates who are knowledgeable and supportive, we also need your support for the GEF so the association can continue to lobby Congress effectively on members’ behalf. I encourage everyone to go the additional step and forward your support for the GEF to us today. Your additional donation to the APMA GEF above your , regular APMAPAC contribution, will further expand our presence and effectiveness in Washington, DC. Every year, we have moved closer to the big brass ring while achieving many other victories that benefit APMA members and preserve our incomes. We are on a roll. Help us continue our forward momentum. Don’t watch as the parade passes you by. Get on board by sending your financial support to APMAPAC and the GEF today. n Credentials Certiﬁcates for 2012 House of Delegates Credentialing information for the 2012 House of Delegates (HOD) was recently mailed to component association presidents and executive directors. Please be sure to return your credentials certificates as soon as possible. Certificates also are available on the APMA website at www.apma.org/2012hod/creden tialscertiﬁcate. If you are unable to accommodate this request, please contact Teena Vaughn, executive assistant, at 301-581-9251 or tdvaughn@apma.org. Again this year, delegates and alternates may choose between receiving HOD materials in the traditional binder or on a flash drive. If you select the flash drive option, you will receive your flash drive as part of the second mailing of HOD materials, and you will not receive a report book. The second mailing will be sent in early March. All information provided after the second mailing will be distributed in hard copy and made available online. For the most up-to-date information regarding the HOD meeting, log on to the APMA website at www.apma.org/2012hod. Contact Dr. Peterson at pac@apma.org. 30 APMA News February 2012 http://www.apma.org/eAdvocacy http://www.apma.org/WorkingForYou/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1382 http://www.apma.org/WorkingForYou/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1382 http://www.apma.org/WorkingForYou/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1382

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - February 2012

APMA News - February 2012
President’s Message
Contents
APMA Social Media: 2011 Success and 2012 Stategy
The National in 2012: Celebrating 100 Years Advancing Podiatric Medicine
APMA By the Decade: 1922–1931
Profiles in Progress: Student Recruitment
2011 Podiatric Practice Survey: Sources for Patient Referrals
Confronting the Residency Shortage
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Young Voices
Small Business 101
APMA All Stars
Awards Nominations
In Short
Worthy of Note
Resolutions Submissions
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
Annual Scientifi c Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions

APMA News - February 2012