RA Update

The 2003 on-line RA meeting was held during two full weeks in November 2003. This was the second year for the on-line meeting, which is held approximately six to sevenths months after the RA meeting during the national conference. There was an increase in the positive responses to the ease, efficiency and productivity of the on-line meeting as compared to last year. Currently, on-line meetings do not behoove themselves to spontaneous discussion so items that are presented are often the least controversial but necessary items to address. The items that were discussed may be categorized into several groups including awards process and the recognition of educators, continuing competence, membership fees, educator role papers/doctoral degrees and the RA vision, mission and core values. Each of these categorizes is summarized below:

Awards Process; Recognition of Educators - One motion identified the need for an ad hoc committee to review procedures and mechanisms for the bestowing of awards, honors, and recognitions by official bodies of the Association; four motions involved the recognition of retired or deceased educators at the AOTA National Conference

Continuing Competence - The RA approve the document "Model Continuing Competence Guidelines for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants; A Resource for State Regulatory Boards."

Membership Fees - The motion regarding the member dues increase approved for initiation on January 1, 2004 be postponed until July 1, 2004, in order to ensure the necessary implementation and testing of AOTA's new automated association management system (AMS) that will be relied upon heavily for the smooth transition and customer service related to the dues increase was adopted by the RA. In addition, the RA adopted a new membership category, effective July 1, 2004, for graduate students for membership dues of $150 per year. Individuals must be full-time students who are registered in an accredited school for a period not to exceed 2 years for an Advanced Masters or 4 years of a Doctoral program.

Educator Roles Papers/Doctoral Degrees - Three papers involving the educator's role were adopted; the papers include the following; Role Comp for a Professional-Level Program Director, Role Comp for a Professional-Level Faculty Member and Role Comp for an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. In addition, the RA adopted the Statement on the Academic Terminal Degree.

Statement: The academic terminal degree for occupational therapists is a doctorate. Though some faculty may have doctorates in occupational therapy and occupational science, currently it is usual and customary to have a doctorate in related areas of science or social science, practice or education, including but not limited to education, neuroscience, public health, psychology, policy, or sociology. Thus, a degree in any of these areas would be a considered a terminal degree for occupational therapists in academia. A doctorate as a terminal degree in occupational therapy applies only to academic settings and does not apply to occupational therapy practice settings.

RA Vision, Mission and Core Values - Adoption of this motion represents philosophical agreement with the material presented in each section, but recognizes the need for further development of the document, especially in relation to metrics that will be needed to plan core strategies and annual plans that will track progress toward the RA vision. I further move that Ms. Herold continue to work with the speaker and others in the further development of this strategic document and report progress at the 2004 May RA.

Vision Statement: On the MOVE with collaborative governance

- Member-Centered
- On-Time decisions
- Visionary planning
- Ethical leadership

Mission Statement
As eyes, ears, and voice of the AOTA members, the Representative Assembly is the legislative body that exists to serve and represent the membership by establishing proactive standards, policies, and procedures that define and guide the practice of occupational therapy as well as governance of the Association and influence public/private sector policies that are responsive to our consumer's needs.

Core Values
Member-Centered: member dialogue, representation, responsive
On-Time Decisions: service excellence, accountability
Visionary Planning: proactive
Ethical Leadership: strong, principled, integrity, commitment
Collaborative: mutual respect, flexible

Scope of Practice Issues:

This monthly newsletter was a result of a 2003 Representative Assembly charge to create and publish an e-mail update to members on scope of practice issues. This newsletter highlights trends affecting your profession and developments shaping your ability to practice and is available exclusively to members. Read and/or subscribe to this monthly e-newsletter at http://www.aota.org/

Comments requested on the Standards for an Accredited Educational

Program for the Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant

These Standards establish the critical competencies necessary to prepare individuals to become entry-level occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. All comments received by March 15, 2004 will be reviewed at the April 23-24, 2004 meeting of the ACOTE Educational Standards Review Committee.

Additional opportunities for comment on the ACOTE Standards will be provided at a Standards Open Hearing scheduled for May 20, 2004 at AOTA's Annual Conference in Minneapolis.

Access the full article regarding the Call for Comment on the ACOTE Educational Standards:
http://www.aota.org/nonmembers/area13/links/LINK52.asp

Jody Tate RA

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