It's funny sometimes the way energy cycles around...

Hi Peeps,

Once again there was a longer pause between posts than I would like. Does anyone else find that having a smart phone pushes your visits to an actual, real computer further and further apart? That's been my observation and I definitely think it impacts the blog. Convenience can be a double edged sword at times.

I have some really big news but first the happy news to share is that I was re-elected GA Delegate. I was one of three NPs to be elected, the third being an alternate. Hurray NPs!!! Nearly inconceivable is the fact that by the time the 2011 House rolls around I will no longer be a New Professional. Five years go by quickly when you're trying to take over the world. And to be honest, I've had the thought on more than one occasion recently that I did not play my cards very well in those years. I guess it's human to second guess the course of one's actions. But with the dual disappointments of thinking I had a shot at PTAG President and later thinking that I would be asked to serve as Georgia's Chief Delegate, perhaps the youngest PT in either role, my APTA energy was pretty low. It's not that I begrudge anyone their reasons for withdrawing their support or changing their plan. I choose the word 'disappointed', well, pointedly.

Through a combination of my own experiences, both good (the Physical Therapy and Society Summit, presenting at a CDC symposium on Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, and being at the House of Delegates with "junior" Chief responsibilities) and bad (discovering my own ineptitude in the Georgia Membership Secretary role, struggling with acceptance of the idea of a Preventative Health specialty at the APTA and University level, and crashing and burning on a post-PASS website initiative), I had begun to question how truly ready our organization was to bring my generation of young leaders out onto the stage. Which is why a recent email caught me completely off guard...

Someone has nominated me for the APTA Nominating Committee. That's a huge honor. I'm not sure where the process will go. I imagine it would take a seriously progressive Nom Com to allow me to be slated. Back when I was a new NP, my plan was to have a certain other NP run for APTA Board of Directors in his first five years. Unfortunately, he went and messed it up by becoming staff. Punk. I never saw myself as the one to try to break through that barrier. I'll have to let everyone know what develops. My thought is, "Why not have a run at it?". If nothing else, what better way to learn about the process and test my 'true readiness' theory, right? I'll definitely be looking for feedback and support from all of you. Let's see if a New Professional can shake up the election process!

Be excellent to each other and cheers,

Ben

Rekindling

To say the least, I've skipped a chapter or two of my 'new job' story. Things are going well and the environment offers a lot of opportunities that I didn't have previously. But as with all busy times, refocusing is a necessity and I've looked forward to turning my attentions back to this project. In the beginning, this blog was an opportunity to espouse my thoughts, spell out some arguments for or against issues facing healthcare and physical therapy, and especially, to give a voice to new professionals looking for their place within a changing health paradigm. I continue to wish my efforts to bring in other opinions had met with greater success. But, the blog continues and things of great interest are on the horizon.

I head later this morning to the Georgia Fall Physical Therapy conference. With programing and meetings today, I hope to make enough of an impression on members to be re-elected as a Georgia Delegate tomorrow. It's very exciting (and intimidating) to see the slate I'm running against. A CEO, a past PTAG president, two past vice-presidents, a nationally experienced PT advocate, an out of state past-delegate, and 3 recently graduated, enthusiastic rock stars. I suppose it becomes a conceit of being a "not so new" New Professional, new faces are good for 'us' but perhaps not for 'me'... It is going to be a tough re-election. It's great to know PTAG has so many great people pursuing the role though. Without a doubt, the association will be in good hands next year. But now I suppose I should go clean myself up a bit and polish my networking skills!

More blogging to come soon! Of particular interest, Emory is putting together an event in March which sets out to shape the future of practice. It will synergize themes from the Physical Therapy and Society Summit and the Vitalizing Practice through Research Conference in a progressive, focused environment. I have the good fortune of being a panelist for the event and will have much to report!

Cheers,

Ben

Accelerando and Decrescendo

As I type from a coffee shop next to the Berklee School of Music, I can't help but inflict a musical theme or two. So for the non-music buffs, that's an increase in tempo with a decrease in volume. I think it's an apt description of the end of the House. Things began to move very, very quickly but then many of the "hot topic" motions were withdrawn prior to a vote. In fact, the House ended hours earlier than expected. Contrast that to last year when there was speed reading and a frenetic pace up to the last minute. But for now I'll move to the coda and share my thoughts.

While the House process always leaves behind some frustrations and lingering questions, there was at least one common theme that I found encouraging... mostly. There were two groups seeking to "find their voice". One was the PTAs as they continue to push for greater voting rights within the States. And the second was New Professionals. To me, "voice" was the central theme of essentially every bylaw amendment before the House. While it was more explicit in the PTA initiative, the 'block' of bylaws addressing APTA executive leadership related, both directly and rhetorically, to New Professionals.

If you weren't there, I'll spare you a description of the 150+ possible combinations of new rules the APTA almost had. I say almost, because none of them went to a vote and thus, nothing changed. Three different states brought forth initiatives to facilitate more rapid turnover of APTA leadership. Again, I'm oversimplifying to spare you the minutiae. Discussion went on but the entire issue (transcripts attached) was punted to the Governance Review Task Force, a group which probably didn't expect to take center stage in House activities this year. Best of luck to them as they try not to step on any toes now...

Good things that came from this year's House: APTA will be guiding us to better address the obesity epidemic. (Even if it's peds alone, we have to start somewhere.) APTA is more explicitly saying that torture is bad. (Despite it being inherent in our Code of Ethics, if our governing body wants it spelled out, so be it.) Extender language was discretely withdrawn. (I applaud the Private Practice folks for rousing a little rabble in the process.) And my personal favorite, the APTA is going to try to do a bit more of the "League Building" which I'm such a big fan of with other primary care provider organizations. (And I would like to politely take a little credit for that "other" being in there.)

Cheers to all!

Ben


ps~ Wish me luck being a mentor tonight at the Student Assembly mixer! And please, please, PLEASE, share with me what you all want this blog to be about!!! Coming soon: Passing the OCS, prepping for the NCS, Why lobbying is more effective if you're under 30, and a New Professional asking why we aren't on the APTA board yet! New Energy, new authors, and your topics!! (if you just email me them)

House Update

For those that are Twitter savvy (though, I'm only pretending to be), I'll be giving updates with the hashtag #hod2010.

~ben

Thoughts from Day 2

My biggest take away from today is that this year's House Motions justify the governance review process. What I mean by that is that we need to change the way we do business because we're doing the wrong business. It's not necessarily that I disagree with our process. I just think the resource allocation (human capital and financial) could be better allocated. For instance, this year there are a number of bylaw amendments being proposed because "It's a bylaws year." when in fact bylaws can be, albeit more difficulty, heard in any year with the right amount of support and prior warning. That may be a bit jargony but the point is that we're running on tradition over reason. I hope this theme won't persist. Instead of waiting to see what an appointed group recommends changing, we are debating, at great length, what changes should be made...

In other news though, a good group of New Professionals and current student leaders socialized, mentored, and networked over several tall, tasty pints at Pour House. Wish you all could have been there! More to come tomorrow.

Cheers and Good night,
Ben

Early thoughts on this year's House

My biggest take away from today is that this year's House Motions justify the governance review process. What I mean by that is that we need to change the way we do business because we're doing the wrong business. It's not necessarily that I disagree with our process. I just think the resource allocation (human capital and financial) could be better allocated. For instance, this year there are a number of bylaw amendments being proposed because "It's a bylaws year." when in fact bylaws can be, albeit more difficulty, heard in any year with the right amount of support and prior warning. That may be a bit jargony but the point is that we're running on tradition over reason. I hope this theme won't persist. Instead.of waiting to see what an appointed group recommends changing, we are debating, at great length, what changes should be made...

In other news though, a good group of New Professionals and current student leaders socialized, mentored, and networked over several tall, tasty pints at Pour House. Wish you all could have been there! More to come tomorrow.

Cheers and Good night,
Ben

Boston, Boston

Well, I'm unemployed and on my way to Boston.  I suppose, actually, I have a job waiting for me next Monday, but it still feels like limbo. The blog has been down for I while, but I'm hoping for a nice little spike in activity for the House of Delegates(APTA's governing body). 

There are a couple nice things on tap for New Professionals at this year's House.  Among other things, Laura Doskocil and I are trying to pull together all of the NP delegates for a caucus.  In the past, and this isn't a criticism, new delegates were primarily exposed to members of their own delegation, those sitting nearby, and perhaps a regional caucus.  This will be the first time a group of us convenes based on the New Professional demographic.  I am very curious to see how the opinions of this small group defer from those of the group at large, or if they do for that matter. 

I am also going to try gprs tweetcast from the House.  I've never done that before, so we'll see how it goes.  The two big issues worth bringing up in advance are a) should PTAs have full voting rights in each state chapter? and b) how should APTA term limits change to improve participation in leadership?  I've been accused of over simplifying the issues.  But, sometimes I find that help in order to see how people develop support or opposition for the underlying concept.  That, or I just over simplify... 


    Cheers and more to come (hopefully note from my phone in the airport),  Ben