How many of us in the US will welcome the mandatory state or national association membership along with an yearly 'recertification' process by the NBCOT, similar to the Canadian system? Currently, the cost of AOTA membership is $225.00. With 35,000 members, AOTA receives revenues in the amount of approximately $ 7,875,000.00 through membership dues. If all practicing OT and OTAs (~115,000) were manadated to become members, the same amount of revenues could be generated by charging less than $70.00 per individual. Again the costs such as maintaining an online library etc. would drive down due to increased sharing. I was told that an institution that had approximately 200 members were required to pay $ 12,000.00 per year to access the OVID Gateway (Medline, ACP, Cochrane, CINAHL, Medline, OVID all included). However, individual access costs around $ 250.00 yearly. I am assuming that with mandatory membership we could bring the governance process under one umbrella, better serve membership interests and have a more unified existence at a much lower cost to the practitioners. In my opinion the Canadians have it right again! Joe
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Maloney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <OTlist@otnow.com> Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2006 12:09 AM Subject: Re: [OTlist] OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 8 > Ok, I've been sitting on the sidelines for a bit, but > now must speak up. Chuck, regarding a few of the > "eight elements viewed as relevant to a shared vision" > from the "Proposed Centennial Vision Statement" you > detailed in Vol 15, Issue 8: > > "3. Membership equals professional responsibility" > > How about we start by unifying our professional > competence governance (in reference to one of the "six > barriers" identified in the proposal "4. Inconsistent > competencies for education and practice") I pay dues > to the AOTA, get access (albeit LIMITED - more about > this later) to the "members only" section of the > website. Then, to legally use the designation of OTR, > which I initially earned after passing the > certification exam (issued originally by the AOTA > prior to its historic, and well-publicized battle with > what's now the separate entity known as the NBCOT) I > pay an extra $60.00 biennially. Come on. > Professional responsibility indeed. What about the > responsibility of the leadership to it's paying > members? > > Then, from the "six barriers identified" we have: > "3. Limited appeal of AOTA membership" > > Well, for starters refer to the above information. > Can you tell me why any responsible consumer would be > attracted to pay into such a chaotic and non-cohesive > organization? We can't even agree amongst our own > colleagues as to how to credential and identify our > practitioners: we have OTR, LOT, OT/L, OTA/L, COTA, > LOTA, LOTR. Are you kidding me? Professional > identity indeed! Check out our colleagues on the > other side of the isle, and chances are you'll find > one designation: PT or SLP----period. > > It is a little surreal to read all of the > "cheerleading" and well-meaning pseudo-positive > statements from the leadership individuals posting to > this list. I suggest we cease with all the political > rhetoric and posturing and start by unifying our > profession once again, present a TRUE united front, > then build a plan to be a relevant player in the > healthcare environment. I mean seriously, did > everyone read the same posting from Chuck that I did? > Is it me, or is it fraught with useless committee > lingo? No offense intended to anyone, but can we > please see some real results before imploring > practitioners to "be responsible" by joining? > > And finally, my last rant: > Under the "Four strategic directions emerged after a > careful analysis of barriers and opportunities" > section: > "1. Building the capacity to fulfill the profession's > potential and mission." > > One of the bullet points is "* Increasing research > capacity and productivity" > > When I log in as a member on the AOTA website, and > attempt to access the "OT Search" feature, I find that > I must pay an additional $75/year (since I am a > member, but would pay $200.00/year if I weren't) to > fully use the research capabilities on the site. So, > if I choose to use the designation of OTR, (for which > I felt I initially "earned" the right to use) I pay > $60.00 biennially to another entity to do so. If I > elect to be an AOTA member, I pay $225.00 annually. > If I want to access research capabilities in the > comfort of my own home on the website for which I > purchased a membership I pay an additional $75.00. > Anyone? > > Perhaps I should consider involvement in our > profession on a leadership level. It's not been an > interest of mine for quite some time, but when I look > from the sidelines at the state of our profession, and > wonder almost daily if I will continue to be proud of > my profession for the remainder of my career, it > almost feels inevitable. > > > > --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > >> Send OTlist mailing list submissions to >> OTlist@otnow.com >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, >> visit >> http://otnow.com/mailman/listinfo/otlist_otnow.com >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body >> 'help' to >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it >> is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of OTlist digest..." >> >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: questions (Ron Carson) >> 2. Re: questions (Charles Willmarth) >> 3. Re: questions (Joe Wells) >> 4. Re: questions (Ron Carson) >> >> >> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 22:40:47 -0400 >> From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions >> To: Joe Wells <OTlist@OTnow.com> >> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >> >> Joe, this is toooooo good!!! >> >> What is the battle? >> >> =============================================== >> Monday, April 17, 2006, >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> >> > Choose your battle, select your general, >> gather your logistics, >> > declare war and.....fight! If you lose, at least >> you lose trying. >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 2 >> Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 23:25:48 -0400 >> From: "Charles Willmarth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions >> To: <OTlist@OTnow.com> >> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII >> >> Ron, >> >> Check out this page on APTA's website: >> > http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8895 >> >> Click on the link "letter." >> >> Chuck >> >> >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 04/19/06 10:03 PM >>> >> Hello Chuck, thanks for writing. There are so >> many things in your >> message that it's difficult to respond to them all. >> So, I guess that I >> will just pick a couple topics. >> >> For one, I don't blame AOTA for everything wrong >> with our profession. >> I don't really blame them for anything, I just >> don't agree with some >> of what does and doesn't go one. Obviously, I know >> NOTHING about the >> inner workings of AOTA, all I know is what I read, >> either as official >> documentation or through non-official channels. I >> base my opinion of >> AOTA on these sources. I have no doubt that >> AOTA is full of hard >> working people, and I am not knocking anyone for >> doing their job. But, >> I do have a difference of opinion about some >> things and I certainly >> feel that voicing that opinion is appropriate. >> >> Your below message reiterates that OT is ideally >> suited to meet the >> needs of people of all ages, however, I again take >> great exception to >> this statement. Many factors stand in the way of OT >> being able to meet >> peoples needs. Off the top of my head, here are a >> couple: >> >> 1. Lack of unity within our profession >> 2. Lack of name recognition among payers and >> referral sources >> 3. Lack of consistency in service delivery >> 4. Lack of consistency between philosophical base >> and service delivery >> environment >> >> Chuck, I don't think that AOTA is to blame for >> these problems. I do >> think, however, that when AOTA leaders >> continually focus on the >> positive aspects of our profession to the >> exclusion of the negative, >> then they are painting a false picture and doing a >> disservice to our >> profession. >> >> For example, a while back, APTA was pushing >> hard to gain Medicare >> direct access. In the process, AOTA took a stand >> basically saying that >> if PT gets direct access, then so should OT and SLP. >> APTA took this as >> AOTA was not supporting them. The APTA president >> really came down hard >> on AOTA saying that they were reevaluating their >> relationship with >> AOTA. Now, AOTA was great about disseminating >> information about what >> how they had gone to bat for our profession >> but they never once >> publicly mentioned the dissension between APTA and >> AOTA. I think this >> is wrong and that AOTA should have let us know the >> entire story, but >> they didn't. PT's knew about it because it was >> on their web page. >> Thus, PT's in the work force knew. I'm sure there >> were many OT's who >> were caught off guard by the situation, whereas had >> AOTA told us about >> it and posted some information, then OT's could >> have probably taken a >> more informed stand. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Ron >> >> ========================================== >> Monday, April 17, 2006, 11:13:56 AM, you wrote: >> >> > Ron, >> >> > I hope that you will reconsider renewing your >> membership in AOTA and >> your state association. >> >> > For $80/year, I think the Florida Occupational >> Therapy Association >> does quite a bit for your dues. >> > http://www.flota.org/member.html >> > As you probably know, your dues go to support a >> lobbyist and an >> > association management company in Tallahassee. >> > This year FOTA created a political action >> committee to strengthen its >> influence. >> > >> > http://www.flota.org/FOCUS/FOCUS%20March-April%202006.pdf >> > Three years ago AOTA worked with FOTA to defeat a >> proposal that >> > would have tripled licensure fees. >> >> > Certainly AOTA and the profession faces many >> challanges. I think >> > it's easy to blame AOTA for everything that isn't >> going right in the >> > profession. But is AOTA a building in Bethesda, >> Maryland or is AOTA >> > its individual members? There are 115,000 >> occupational therapists >> > and occupational therapy assistants in the US. >> AOTA has about >> > 35,000 members (including students). The more >> members we have, the >> > more that we can do to move the profession >> forward. >> >> > I terms of your quote from a leader in the >> profession, I think you >> > are refering to the AJOT article From the Desk of >> the Executive >> > Director: Charting a Path for the Future which was >> published in AJOT >> > March/April 2005 Volume 59 / Number 2. I will >> paste more from that >> > article to provide readers with some additional >> context. >> >> > http://www.aota.org/ajot/getpdf.asp?doc=5921.pdf >> In viewing the >> > prospects that lie ahead for occupational >> therapy, I am optimistic >> > and enthused about the opportunities the future >> holds. There is no >> > question that we face a difficult >> environment. Changes in the >> > organization and delivery of health care >> services and reforms in >> > reimbursement systems driven by federal and >> state budget pressures >> > have profoundly affected occupational therapy >> practice. All health >> > care professionals are increasingly being >> required to demonstrate >> > the effectiveness and appropriateness of their >> services. Resource >> > constraints have fostered challenges to the >> traditional domains of >> > many professions. Nonetheless, as a profession >> that offers unique >> > services that are ideally suited to meet the >> health, participation, >> > and quality of life needs of people of all >> ages, occupational >> > therapy is well-positioned to succeed and >> flourish in the 21st >> > century. The philosophy and conceptual models >> of occupational >> > therapy and the needs of society are >> intersecting to create great >> > opportunities for the future. The full >> realization of occupational >> > therapy's potential however will depend on >> vision, strategy, and >> > unity of effort within the professional community. >> >> > AOTA's Representative Assembly will consider a >> Proposed Centennial >> > Vision Statement at its 2006 meeting in Charlotte, >> North Carolina. >> > Detailed background information is available on >> AOTA's website >> > including information about how the proposed >> statement came about. >> > I will paste an excerpt below. Elements to a >> shared vision were >> > identified, as were barriers. Strategic >> directions emerged from >> additional discussions. >> >> > >> http://www.aota.org/members/area6/2006-ra/ce_VP2.pdf >> >> > >> > http://www.aota.org/members/area6/2006-ra/ce_centennial.pdf >> >> >> > Here is the proposed statement: >> > "We envision that occupational therapy is a >> powerful, widely >> > recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based >> > profession with a globally connected and diverse >> workforce meeting >> society's occupational needs." >> >> > Here is the excerpt: >> >> > "During this process the participants considered >> member and >> > nonmember feedback, and generated shared vision >> > elements, identified important underlying >> barriers, and defined >> > four strategic directions to support the proposed >> > shared centennial vision. >> >> > The eight elements viewed as relevant to a shared >> vision included: >> > 1. Expanded collaboration for success >> > 2. Power to influence >> > 3. Membership equals professional responsibility >> > 4. Well-prepared, diverse workforce >> > 5. Clear, compelling public image >> > 6. Customers who demand occupational therapy >> > 7. Evidence-based decision making >> > 8. Science-fostered innovation in occupational >> therapy practice >> >> > Six barriers were identified: >> > 1. Rigid adherence to the status quo >> > 2. Misalignment between the current OT priorities >> and the external >> environment >> > 3. Limited appeal of AOTA membership >> > 4. Inconsistent competencies for education and >> practice >> > 5. Overemphasis on a "helping culture" in the OT >> workforce >> > 6. Unclear professional language and terminology >> >> > Four strategic directions emerged after a careful >> analysis of barriers >> and opportunities: >> >> > 1. Building the capacity to fulfill the >> profession's potential and >> mission. >> > This includes: >> > * Ensuring an adequate and diverse workforce for >> multiple roles >> > * Preparing OTs and OTAs for the 21st Century. >> > * Increasing research capacity and productivity >> > * Strengthening our capacity to influence and lead >> >> > 2. Demonstrating and articulating our value to >> individuals, >> organizations, and >> > communities. >> > This includes: >> > * Meeting societal needs for health and well-being >> > * People understanding who we are and what we do >> > 3. Building an inclusive community of members >> > 4. Linking education, research, and practice >> >> > Chuck Willmarth >> > Director, State Affairs >> > AOTA >> >> >>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4/16/2006 4:08 PM >>> >> > For one, I have not considered my State >> association membership to >> be >> > worth the money. Even though I recently >> joined, I am not sure that >> I >> > will renew. >> >> > Regarding AOTA, I am not pleased with the way >> our leaders present >> our >> > profession. I sometimes feel that some AOTA >> leaders have a >> PollyAnna >> > perspective. >> >> > For example, a while back one of our leaders >> stated: >> >> > "In the United States, occupational >> therapy is ideally suited >> to >> > meet the health needs of people of all >> ages." >> >> > Personally, I think the above quote is far >> off-base and should >> read >> > something like: >> >> > "In the United States, OT is missing the >> mark on being able >> to >> > best meet the needs of patients who most >> need our services." >> >> > This is just one example of why I am questioning >> my financial support >> of >> > AOTA. Granted, AOTA has personally helped me but I >> am unsure of the >> cost >> > benefit of continued support. >> >> > Ron >> >> >> > -- >> > Unsubscribe? >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> > Change options? >> > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com >> >> > Archive? >> > www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com >> >> > Help? >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Unsubscribe? >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> Change options? >> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com >> >> Archive? >> www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com >> >> Help? >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 3 >> Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 00:36:33 -0400 >> From: "Joe Wells" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions >> To: <OTlist@OTnow.com> >> Message-ID: >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; >> charset="iso-8859-1"; >> reply-type=original >> >> Ron: >> >> You been a busy man! >> >> Well, as I said- you will have to choose your own >> battle. It could be- >> 1. Brand- recognition/ true autonomous >> "professional" status equal to >> others, second to none >> 2. Direct access under Medicare/ Medicaid >> 3. Home health qualifying service under Medicare >> 4. Justifying the "occupation" in occupational >> therapy (if you truly believe >> that "occupation-based" therapy is the answer) >> 5. Making occupational therapy scientific/ >> evidence-based >> 6. Make OT the preferred hab & rehab services >> provider under the medical >> model or otherwise >> 7. Have the OT logo on the 'backpack' or, may be >> even the 'walker basket' >> 8. Establish OT as a holistic health service serving >> all age groups >> 9. Or, even re-name the profession- I personally >> feel had we gone with >> Ergo-therapy, it would have saved a lot of confusion >> today >> >> So, Ron, as your fellow soldier, I truly hope you >> will not quit the >> battlefield even though you can not see eye-to-eye >> with some of the >> commanders, and though the army may seem to be on >> the losing end and we are >> currently under heavy fire. So, which battle did you >> choose? We have to win >> the war. >> >> Joe Wells, OTR/L >> www.americare-health.com >> www.f-cot.org >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Ron Carson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "Joe Wells" <OTlist@OTnow.com> >> Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 10:40 PM >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions >> >> >> > Joe, this is toooooo good!!! >> > >> > What is the battle? >> > >> > =============================================== >> > Monday, April 17, 2006, >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> > >> >> Choose your battle, select your general, >> gather your logistics, >> >> declare war and.....fight! If you lose, at least >> you lose trying. >> > >> > >> > -- >> > Unsubscribe? >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > >> > Change options? >> > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com >> > >> > Archive? >> > www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com >> > >> > Help? >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 4 >> Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:19:24 -0400 >> From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Subject: Re: [OTlist] questions >> To: Charles Willmarth <OTlist@OTnow.com> >> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >> >> Hello Chuck: >> >> Thanks for the link, I hope other OTlisters will >> read the letter. >> >> It sort of highlights my previous message >> about AOTA not making >> anything public regarding the dissension between the >> professions!! >> >> Ron >> >> =============================================== >> Wednesday, April 19, 2006, [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> wrote: >> >> > Ron, >> >> > Check out this page on APTA's website: >> > >> > http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8895 >> >> > Click on the link "letter." >> >> > Chuck >> >> >>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 04/19/06 10:03 PM >>> >> > Hello Chuck, thanks for writing. There are so >> many things in your >> > message that it's difficult to respond to them >> all. So, I guess that I >> > will just pick a couple topics. >> >> > For one, I don't blame AOTA for everything wrong >> with our profession. >> > I don't really blame them for anything, I just >> don't agree with some >> > of what does and doesn't go one. Obviously, I >> know NOTHING about the >> > inner workings of AOTA, all I know is what I >> read, either as official >> > documentation or through non-official channels. >> I base my opinion of >> > AOTA on these sources. I have no doubt that >> AOTA is full of hard >> > working people, and I am not knocking anyone for >> doing their job. But, >> > I do have a difference of opinion about some >> things and I certainly >> > feel that voicing that opinion is appropriate. >> >> > Your below message reiterates that OT is >> ideally suited to meet the >> > needs of people of all ages, however, I again >> take great exception to >> > this statement. Many factors stand in the way of >> OT being able to meet >> > peoples needs. Off the top of my head, here are a >> couple: >> >> > 1. Lack of unity within our profession >> > 2. Lack of name recognition among payers and >> referral sources >> > 3. Lack of consistency in service delivery >> > 4. Lack of consistency between philosophical base >> and service delivery >> > environment >> >> > Chuck, I don't think that AOTA is to blame for >> these problems. I do >> > think, however, that when AOTA leaders >> continually focus on the >> > positive aspects of our profession to the >> exclusion of the negative, >> > then they are painting a false picture and doing >> a disservice to our >> > profession. >> >> > For example, a while back, APTA was pushing >> hard to gain Medicare >> > direct access. In the process, AOTA took a stand >> basically saying that >> > if PT gets direct access, then so should OT and >> SLP. APTA took this as >> > AOTA was not supporting them. The APTA president >> really came down hard >> > on AOTA saying that they were reevaluating >> their relationship with >> > AOTA. Now, AOTA was great about disseminating >> information about what >> > how they had gone to bat for our profession >> but they never once >> > publicly mentioned the dissension between APTA >> and AOTA. I think this >> > is wrong and that AOTA should have let us know >> the entire story, but >> > they didn't. PT's knew about it because it >> was on their web page. >> > Thus, PT's in the work force knew. I'm sure >> there were many OT's who >> > were caught off guard by the situation, whereas >> had AOTA told us about >> > it and posted some information, then OT's could >> have probably taken a >> > more informed stand. >> >> > Thanks, >> >> > Ron >> >> > ========================================== >> > Monday, April 17, 2006, 11:13:56 AM, you wrote: >> >> >> Ron, >> >> >> I hope that you will reconsider renewing your >> membership in AOTA and >> > your state association. >> >> >> For $80/year, I think the Florida Occupational >> Therapy Association >> > does quite a bit for your dues. >> >> http://www.flota.org/member.html >> >> As you probably know, your dues go to support a >> lobbyist and an >> >> association management company in Tallahassee. >> >> This year FOTA created a political action >> committee to strengthen its >> > influence. >> >> >> > http://www.flota.org/FOCUS/FOCUS%20March-April%202006.pdf >> >> Three years ago AOTA worked with FOTA to defeat a >> proposal that >> >> would have tripled licensure fees. >> >> >> Certainly AOTA and the profession faces many >> challanges. I think >> >> it's easy to blame AOTA for everything that isn't >> going right in the >> >> profession. But is AOTA a building in Bethesda, >> Maryland or is AOTA >> >> its individual members? There are 115,000 >> occupational therapists >> >> and occupational therapy assistants in the US. >> AOTA has about >> >> 35,000 members (including students). The more >> members we have, the >> >> more that we can do to move the profession >> forward. >> >> >> I terms of your quote from a leader in the >> profession, I think you >> >> are refering to the AJOT article From the Desk >> of the Executive >> >> Director: Charting a Path for the Future which >> was published in AJOT >> >> March/April 2005 Volume 59 / Number 2. I will >> paste more from that >> >> article to provide readers with some additional >> context. >> >> >> http://www.aota.org/ajot/getpdf.asp?doc=5921.pdf >> In viewing the >> >> prospects that lie ahead for occupational >> therapy, I am optimistic >> >> and enthused about the opportunities the future >> holds. There is no >> >> question that we face a difficult >> environment. Changes in the >> >> organization and delivery of health care >> services and reforms in >> >> reimbursement systems driven by federal and >> state budget pressures >> >> have profoundly affected occupational therapy >> practice. All health >> >> care professionals are increasingly being >> required to demonstrate >> >> the effectiveness and appropriateness of their >> services. Resource >> >> constraints have fostered challenges to the >> traditional domains of >> >> many professions. Nonetheless, as a profession >> that offers unique >> >> services that are ideally suited to meet the >> health, participation, >> >> and quality of life needs of people of all >> ages, occupational >> >> therapy is well-positioned to succeed and >> flourish in the 21st >> >> century. The philosophy and conceptual >> models of occupational >> >> therapy and the needs of society are >> intersecting to create great >> >> opportunities for the future. The full >> realization of occupational >> >> therapy's potential however will depend on >> vision, strategy, and >> >> unity of effort within the professional >> community. >> >> >> AOTA's Representative Assembly will consider a >> Proposed Centennial >> >> Vision Statement at its 2006 meeting in >> Charlotte, North Carolina. >> >> Detailed background information is available on >> AOTA's website >> >> including information about how the proposed >> statement came about. >> >> I will paste an excerpt below. Elements to a >> shared vision were >> >> identified, as were barriers. Strategic >> directions emerged from >> > additional discussions. >> >> >> >> http://www.aota.org/members/area6/2006-ra/ce_VP2.pdf >> >> >> >> > http://www.aota.org/members/area6/2006-ra/ce_centennial.pdf >> >> >> >> Here is the proposed statement: >> >> "We envision that occupational therapy is a >> powerful, widely >> >> recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based >> >> profession with a globally connected and diverse >> workforce meeting >> > society's occupational needs." >> >> >> Here is the excerpt: >> >> >> "During this process the participants considered >> member and >> >> nonmember feedback, and generated shared vision >> >> elements, identified important underlying >> barriers, and defined >> >> four strategic directions to support the proposed >> >> shared centennial vision. >> >> >> The eight elements viewed as relevant to a shared >> vision included: >> >> 1. Expanded collaboration for success >> >> 2. Power to influence >> >> 3. Membership equals professional responsibility >> >> 4. Well-prepared, diverse workforce >> >> 5. Clear, compelling public image >> >> 6. Customers who demand occupational therapy >> >> 7. Evidence-based decision making >> >> 8. Science-fostered innovation in occupational >> therapy practice >> >> >> Six barriers were identified: >> >> 1. Rigid adherence to the status quo >> >> 2. Misalignment between the current OT priorities >> and the external >> > environment >> >> 3. Limited appeal of AOTA membership >> >> 4. Inconsistent competencies for education and >> practice >> >> 5. Overemphasis on a "helping culture" in the OT >> workforce >> >> 6. Unclear professional language and terminology >> >> >> Four strategic directions emerged after a careful >> analysis of barriers >> > and opportunities: >> >> >> 1. Building the capacity to fulfill the >> profession's potential and >> > mission. >> >> This includes: >> >> * Ensuring an adequate and diverse workforce for >> multiple roles >> >> * Preparing OTs and OTAs for the 21st Century. >> >> * Increasing research capacity and productivity >> >> * Strengthening our capacity to influence and >> lead >> >> >> 2. Demonstrating and articulating our value to >> individuals, >> > organizations, and >> >> communities. >> >> This includes: >> >> * Meeting societal needs for health and >> well-being >> >> * People understanding who we are and what we do >> >> 3. Building an inclusive community of members >> >> 4. Linking education, research, and practice >> >> >> Chuck Willmarth >> >> Director, State Affairs >> >> AOTA >> >> >>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4/16/2006 4:08 PM >>> >> >> For one, I have not considered my State >> association membership to >> > be >> >> worth the money. Even though I recently >> joined, I am not sure that >> > I >> >> will renew. >> >> >> Regarding AOTA, I am not pleased with the way >> our leaders present >> > our >> >> profession. I sometimes feel that some AOTA >> leaders have a >> > PollyAnna >> >> perspective. >> >> >> For example, a while back one of our leaders >> stated: >> >> >> "In the United States, occupational >> therapy is ideally suited >> > to >> >> meet the health needs of people of all >> ages." >> >> >> Personally, I think the above quote is far >> off-base and should >> > read >> >> something like: >> >> >> "In the United States, OT is missing >> the mark on being able >> > to >> >> best meet the needs of patients who most >> need our services." >> >> >> This is just one example of why I am questioning >> my financial support >> > of >> >> AOTA. Granted, AOTA has personally helped me but >> I am unsure of the >> > cost >> >> benefit of continued support. >> >> >> Ron >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Unsubscribe? >> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> Change options? >> >> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com >> >> >> Archive? >> >> www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com >> >> >> Help? >> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> >> > -- >> > Unsubscribe? >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> > Change options? >> > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com >> >> > Archive? >> > www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com >> >> > Help? >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> > -- >> > Unsubscribe? >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> > Change options? >> > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com >> >> > Archive? >> > www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com >> >> > Help? >> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> -- >> Unsubscribe? >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> Change options? >> www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com >> >> Archive? >> www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com >> >> Help? >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> >> End of OTlist Digest, Vol 15, Issue 8 >> ************************************* >> > > > -- > Unsubscribe? > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Change options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com > > Help? > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]