SHCA Committees

SHCA Committees develop projects to help the society meet its goals and objectives. Specifically, Committees create Action Plans outlining projects; set realistic time-frames to accomplish projects; submit Action Plans to the Board of Directors (BOD) for review; and communicate progress updates on all projects to the BOD through the committee liaison.

Call for Committee Volunteers
Deadline April 27, 2012

If you've been thinking of a way to give back that will best use your time and talent, consider becoming a committee member for the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy. Volunteers are at the heart of the society’s work. Your participation will expand your own leadership skills, broaden your professional network, and provide you with a sense of satisfaction, all while supporting SHCA strategic goals for advancing the profession.

Candidates are asked to complete the short online form, and share your interests, experience, and relevant expertise.

The deadline to respond to the Call for Volunteers is Friday, April 28, 2012; appointments will be made by May 31, with the first meetings starting in mid-June.

We welcome your input and enthusiasm to this active and talented group of volunteers. We hope you will take some time to review this opportunity for participation, and discover in SHCA a vehicle to contribute to the profession.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact SHCA at (312) 422-3700 or shca@aha.org. To volunteer for a committee, click here.

Advocacy/Communications Committee

This committee shall monitor national, state legislative, and policy developments. The committee shall research, develop and promote advocacy programs that represent the interests of the membership, patient advocates, and the patients they serve. This group also will work to successfully and consistently communicate the brand of the SHCA; identify opportunities for improvement, innovation and cross promotion of the SHCA brand and communicate this information to staff with feedback.

Chair: Appointed by the President

Criteria: Past committee or leadership experience required; previous experience working on advocacy and communication committees or communication strategies preferred

Criteria for Participation:

Member in good standing
Commitment to attend regular meetings
Expressed interest in working with members and chapters in the dissemination of information and the gathering of information
Expressed interest in gathering news, resources, and information that is beneficial to members and can be used in newsletters, on the web site, etc.
Past contributor of articles to SHCA News is preferred
Expressed interest in advancing the patient advocacy profession through advocacy
Any prior experience in advocacy or legislative affairs at the state or national level is preferred
Ability to write clearly and concisely

Deliverables

Monitor perception around the brand, communicate to staff
Acts as a focus group to provide feedback and to gather information regarding the development and innovation of the Brand.
Communicate member feedback to staff
Communicate deadlines for content to membership and interested content contributors
Identify trends affecting the profession and sources of content that address them
Build vendor relationships and hand off to staff for advertising opportunities
Research professional websites and provide feedback
Identify opportunities for adding member value using the SHCA website
Monitor ease of use of the website and those member benefits contained there-in; provide feedback to staff \Developing and reviewing an annual advocacy agenda based on feedback and input from Board of Directors, SHCA staff, Board committees, AHA, and other SHCA stakeholders
Publishing communications to members providing updates and information on key legislative issues
Publishing SHCA position papers on various issues with input from Board and members, with Board approval
Scheduling and coordinating advocacy visits to Washington D.C. as appropriate
Participating in regional and national forums, meeting, or conferences on advocacy issues that affect the profession
Supporting state advocacy initiatives as appropriate with Board approval

Annual Conference Planning Committee

This Committee will be responsible for planning and conducting the annual educational conference. This committee shall work with other committees, as well as the board of directors, to identify issues and speakers that provide members with a valuable professional development opportunity. In concert with other committees, the board, staff and volunteers, this committee will be responsible for developing and executing activities related to the conference including fundraising, networking, community outreach, and vendor relationships.

Chair: Appointed by the President- Elect (One-Year Term)

Criteria: Past committee and/or leadership experience required; connection to Annual Conference location preferred

Criteria for Participation:

Member in good standing
Commitment to attend regular meetings
Ability to meet and participate in all planning meetings, whether at conference site or elsewhere
Ability to attend annual educational conference
Expressed interest in working as part of a team to deliver a major educational conference
Expressed interest and/or experience in fundraising, community outreach, or vendor relationships
Prior experience in training/education is helpful

Deliverables

The committee will develop action plans that may include:

Reviewing data from previous conferences and other sources to gather input from membership, as well as presenters, on possible topics, activities, and events
Executing President’s theme through entire conference experience
Designing educational and networking program for conference
Working closely with SHCA staff to finalize all details and promoting conference to members and non-members in the profession
Working within budget provided by SHCA staff and Board of Directors
Working with others to raise awareness of conference and financial support of conference
Providing input to next year’s committee

Awards Committee

This committee organizes and reviews the nominations for specific SHCA Awards, including the APEx program.

Chair: Appointed by the President

Criteria: Past committee or leadership experience required; previous experience working on awards committees preferred

Deliverables

The committee will develop action plans that may include:

Identify each SHCA award and application timeline
Develop, with staff, member notices to market the awards and APEx program
Create award nominee acknowledgements and letters
Continually look for ways to improve award and recognition program by reviewing award criteria and submitting suggestive changes to Board of Directors
Review the APEx applications as they are submitted

Chapter Relations Commitee

This committee will develop strategies to support current chapters and develop new chapters as appropriate.

Chair: Appointed by the President

Criteria: Past committee or leadership experience required

Criteria for Participation:

Member in good standing
Commitment to attend regular meetings
Expressed interest in supporting SHCA members and communicating with current and potential SHCA members on a regular basis

Deliverables

The committee will develop action plans that may include:

Promoting strong relationships between the SHCA and its affiliated chapters
Developing programs and awards for chapters
Creating programs that develop leadership in chapters and support succession planning
Creating learning and networking opportunities at a local or regional level
Expressed interest and/or experience in grassroots membership and chapter development
Continually look for ways to improve award and Chapter recognition award program by reviewing award criteria and submitting suggestive changes to Board of Directors
Develop the chapter function agenda and materials that is held in conjunction with the annual conference

Member Value Committee

This committee will assess the needs of members by analyzing internal and external market research to identify those services and product opportunities that bring value to membership. It will develop programs, products, and services that support the SHCA strategic plan and will work closely with SHCA staff to identify resources to produce and develop them.

Chair: Appointed by the President

Criteria: Past committee or leadership experience required

Criteria for Participation:

Member in good standing
Commitment to attend regular meetings
Expressed interest in serving members by developing programs, products, and services that support professional development
Prior experience in developing educational programming is helpful
Demonstrated ability to develop relationships, i.e. partnerships with other organizations, to the benefit of SHCA

Deliverables

The committee will develop action plans that may include:

Regional and national webinars that support the SHCA Domains of Practice
Publications and reference resources
Collaborative ventures
Initiatives that address emerging and important issues to members and their profession
Development of educational materials that will provide ongoing professional development

Nominating Committee

Chair: Immediate Past President

Criteria for Participation:

In addition to the Immediate Past President, the Committee on Nominations will consist of 4 additional SHCA members:

1 current board member
1 Past President
2 at-large members who have been members of SHCA for at least three (3) years

Member in good standing.
Commitment to attend and actively participate in all meetings.
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the strategic direction of SHCA

Deliverables

Establish positions that need to be filled and elected by membership
Review current bylaws; execute all actions in conformity with bylaws
Assess present composition of Board by reflecting on the diversity of members and potential members
Review qualifications of current Board members who will be considered for slate. The Committee may consider length of time on Board, meetings attended, contributions made, committees served, and other contributions to the organization
Evaluate the candidates’ experience and expertise against the needs of the Board and the strategic direction of the organization
Based on the criteria outlined in the job descriptions, interview and select the most-qualified candidates to be placed on the slate
Prepare a single slate of directors for election by the full membership

Organizational Growth and Development Committee

This committee will develop goals and strategies to recruit new SHCA members and retain current members.

Chair: Appointed by the President

Criteria: Past committee or leadership experience required

Criteria for Participation:

Member in good standing
Commitment to attend regular meetings
Expressed interest in supporting SHCA members and communicating with current and potential SHCA members on a regular basis

Deliverables

The committee will develop action plans that may include:

Creating individual membership campaigns
Determining recruitment and retention thresholds and target marketing
Recommending specific recruitment materials and strategies based on member demographics and trends
Reviewing current recruitment materials and recommending ways to reach out to potential members
Creating individual membership campaigns based on board strategic initiatives
Communicating opportunities to membership for participation in committee structure

Professional Identify Committee

This committee will assess the patient advocate profession and increase the visibility and efficacy of the profession by focusing on the domains of practice and validate the role of the patient advocate.

Chair: Appointed by the President
Criteria: Past committee or leadership experience required and; teaching experience and knowledge around the domains of practice preferred

Deliverables

The committee will develop action plans that may include:

Identify and promote competencies needed for patient advocacy
Identify the subject matter expert(s) for each domain and engage them in creating and delivering the content.
Ultimately, the committee acts as subject matter experts and reviewers of the Domains of Practice certificate program.