Why I should join the Chapter
(Application Form)
We already belong to the National AAP; These are the reasons We joined California Chapter 1.
Advocacy
Increase your knowledge of and participation in legislative and advocacy activities at a local level.
Increase involvement in the legislative arena to positively influence the quality of pediatric practice and the welfare of children in Northern California
· Build coalitions with other organizations working toward improving children’s health and well-being
· Promote the interests of California pediatricians in the American Academy of Pediatrics
· Collaborate with the statewide District legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of children and pediatricians in California
· Annual Legislative Day in Sacramento with visit to local legislators
· Participate in National AAP sponsored advocacy training and advocacy summit
· Receive regular reports from State Government Affairs Committee representative
· Disseminate to the chapter membership latest legislative updates provided by District IX
· Testify before the California State Legislature on key child health issues
Leadership
· Participate in Chapter Committees in areas of interest
· Run for chapter office and serve on the Board of Directors
· Participate in chapter projects directed at community action, such as SCHIP advocacy efforts, obesity prevention projects, community garden projects, school health projects, dental health initiatives, immunization issues, private payor advocacy, membership recruitment, continuing medical education
Networking
· Network with other pediatricians with similar interests
· Become or find a mentor
· Improve chapter membership participation at the state and national AAP level
Education
· Receive discounted registration for all Chapter 1 CME activities
· Receive chapter newsletter, California Pediatrician magazine and other informative communications like faxes, mail, and email announcements
· Communicate to membership through Chapter Web site Blogs
· Attend local PREP courses and learn the latest updates in clinical practice from the Continuing Medical Education conferences sponsored by the Chapter
· Prepare yourself for the future role of the pediatrician in the health care system and for the future management of your practice
· Learn more about how the recertification process works and be prepared to successfully complete this process
What has your Chapter done lately?
· Instituted multi-state advocacy events and demonstrations in support of SCHIP and Healthy Families
· Contacted local newspapers regarding the difficulty physicians were having in obtaining flu vaccines for their pediatric practices
· Provided Annual Legislative Update and Advocacy training at the Annual Chapter Business Meeting
· Held Annual Winter CME Meeting in December 2008 on “The Neonate and the General Pediatrician”
· Held Annual Spring CME Meeting in 2009 focused on “Pediatric Emergencies”
· Held several social events for Young Physicians to introduce them to AAP and for networking
· Established a mentor program to pair pediatricians in practice with graduating residents to familiarize them with the local medical community
· Held Annual Getting To Know Your Chapter program to introduce pediatric residents to the community pediatricians, Chapter 1 AAP leadership and committee chairs.
· Provided CATCH grant application review for Northern California community pediatricians and Pediatric Residents wishing to work on local projects and served as fiscal agent for CATCH grant awards.
· Participated in the statewide Annual Healthy Schools/Healthy People conference.
· Participated in obesity prevention coalitions throughout Northern California.
· Presented demonstrations on healthy lifestyle practices and nutritional education to grammar school and middle school students.
· Maintain a chapter website with updates and links to resources such as event calendar, obesity immunization updates, as well as links to the District and National websites.
· Created Young Physicians listserv for regular email updates on AAP activities and to list possible job opportunities in Northern California.
· Created Blogs on the chapter website
· Expanded Advocacy Committee activities to address legislative action and to work with the media to promote pediatric issues.
· Sent representatives to National Legislative Conference, Advocacy Summit, and National AAP Annual Leadership Forum.
· Chapter Youth Committee was active in local and state issues on teen health
· Initiated regular email updates to chapter members on issues of concern and continued to publish a quarterly chapter newsletter.
· Scheduled a strategic planning meeting to refocus relevant Chapter activities
Annual Chapter Dues:
Voting Fellows: $160 ($100 to Chapter, $60 to District for advocacy work), Candidate Fellows: $160 ($100 to Chapter, $60 to District for advocacy work), Emeritus Members: $60, Retired Fellows: $60, Chapter Affiliates: $160 ($100 to Chapter, $60 to District for advocacy work), Residents and Post Residency Training Fellows: FREE
Whom do I contact?
Contact Executive Director Beverly Busher at 415/479-9200 or aapbev@sbcglobal.net
You can visit the California’s Chapter 1 Web page at www.aapca1.org.
© 2001 American Academy of Pediatrics Updated 07/09