>Terry,
>
>Why not add what you wrote to me about the new organization to the discussion?
>
>Does the steering committee have an agenda on how it wants to sell the idea to
>the membership? I would hope not as this would start a ACPORS backlash.
>
>If this is a good idea and the time is right it will not be hurt to be open
>about it.
>
>Al
>
OK, Al, here is the message (edited) that I sent to John Michael,CPO and
Mel Stills, CO and forwarded to you. To answer your second question, I had
expected to have more communication from the steering committee (IE: the
exec board of AAOP, ABC, AOPA, and chairman of NCOPE)) and staff before
now. I’ll “blame it” on the holidays and weather. My feelings about the
conference and my new favorable feelings about consolidation still have not
changed. As I said in my last message to you I’ve been interviewed for an
articale in the March Almanac. Terry
———————–
12-12-98
John and Mel,
I spent last weekend in Tuscon and Phoenix at the CARF Meeting and the O&P
Consolidation Conference. There is alot of work to be done on both and I
may need your support on them.
At the Consensus Conference, I was convinced that now IS the right time for
consolidation. Ian and Sam may have been right back in 1992 but for the
wrong reasons. Irregardless, the process that the leadership is going
through is being done correctly, and I have faith in David J. and the rest
of the steering committee working on this. This will be another paradigm
shift like the one we experienced with education up in Minniapolis in 89 &
90.
I missed the first day of the Conference because of the CARF meeting. That
worried me because I was the “odd man out” in Chicago at the joint board
meeting. By the first break on Sunday morning, I knew that, regardless of
the out come of the votes this fall, the everyday practitioner and business
owner was going to have a chance to be heard and have input into where we
are going. That was my greatest fear in Chicago.
(edit: Key paragragh for me. TS)
The outcome of the conference was very positve for me. The key issues of
quality of O&P care based on education and credentialing are being
addressed. They will be the cornerstones of the new organization. The ABC
and NCOPE will be maintained as autonamous (budget, policy, governance, &
staff) entities but under the umbrella of the new organization. The
Acadamy’s acronym is maintained but it becomes the American Association for
Orthotics and Prosthetics. CO, CP, and CPO and the other ABC titles will
become the property of the organization but will still be protected.
Individuals certifies will have the same voting power but with greater
numbers (edit: all certifiees not just the current AAOP members) than
businesses.
I agree with the mission statement and goals that were developed. I can
live with the name. (I liked “Alliance” instead of “Association.”)
Something will need to be done about a loss of the Acadamy’s “esprit
d’corp” but that can be worked on as we go through the process.
The part of the governance that has been flushed out so far keeps the
control of the organization within the certified individuals and the
accredited facilities but with avenues for suppliers, tech, associates,
non-certified educators, students, residents, licensed practitioners and
others that are involved with O&P.
The proposed membership will be divided into individual and business
categories with sub-categories for voices that have not been part of the
process before now. The suggested voting rights is structured along the
same lines. The subcategories would elect boad members but never a
majority. The bottomline from the consensus was that the control of the
new organization would still remain in the hands of the people that now
control the Academy and AOPA.
(edit: Key paragragh for me. TS)
There was strong agreement that ABC and NCOPE had to remain autonomus but
within the family. They will have non-voting membership on the Board.
There was strong sentiment that they needed to retain their NCCA and CAAHEP
accreditation respectively.
(edit: Very key paragragh for me. TS)
Anytime that a consensus was not reached, the recommendation was that the
membership would make the decision. Things like the election/appointment
of board officers; relationship of state/regional organization; the
creation of a foundation for education, research, philantropy; relationship
with other accreditation groups; etc. will be flushed out by the steering
committee with lots of input from the profession.
There will be DRAFT bylaws drawn up for the AAOP meeting. That will be
after a couple of months of input by membership. Those are necessary so
that we are all talking from the same page. It’s also necessary to get some
idea of what a working budget would be for the new organization and what
expected costs would be for individuals and businesses.
You will be getting lots of information over the next several months before
the meeting in New Orleans. If you have any question let me know or send
them on to David J. I can fax you a list of the conference attendees and
steering committee members if you want it, in case you want to talk to any
of them.
One of the last things brought out at the conference was the AAOP past
presidents letter that I sent out in 1992. Any letter sent by me this time
would be in support of consolidation. By the time we are through with this
process, I hope that you will agree with me.
I’ll talk to you later.
Terry
Terry Supan, CPO
Associate Professor
Director, Orthotic Prosthetic Services
SIU School of Medicine
Orthotic Prosthetic Services, LL0300
PO Box 19652
Springfield, IL., USA, 62794-9652
phone: (217) 782-5682
fax: (217) 782-7323
E-mail:
