Assembly Representative (AR) responsibilities:
1) Attends the official meetings of the APA Assembly in November held in Washington, D.C., and during the Annual APA Conference in May.
2) Provide a report back to the Executive Committee after every Assembly meeting and submit a brief summary of proceedings to be distributed to all SUSP members.
3) Participates in monthly SUSP business meetings by telephone/VTC and ad hoc meetings as required.
4) May be asked to participate on SUSP’s behalf in various activities at the APA district and national level.
5) Attend the annual SUSP Tri-Service Psychiatry Conference held in conjunction with the annual APA conference.
6) Complete tasks assigned by the President.
7) In accordance with current SUSP bylaws, the Assembly Rep will serve a three-year term in office.
Responsibilities per the APA:
In order to represent the views of the District Branch, the Assembly Representative shall have the following responsibilities:
1) Attend District Branch, Area Council, and Assembly meetings and be actively involved in Reference Committee and liaison work with other components.
2) Serve on the DB Executive Council.
3) Know the views of the DB or represented group leadership and membership, bring their concerns and requests for action to the Area Council and Assembly, solicit their views regarding already proposed Assembly actions, and represent those views in Area Council and Assembly discussion and floor debate.
4) Craft action papers addressing members concerns, proposing effective and feasible actions, and present such action papers to DB or represented group and Area Council for review before submission to the Assembly.
5) Report the activities of the Assembly back to the membership, both verbally and in writing, through such available means as Executive Council meetings, DB or represented group listservs, and newsletters.
6) Act as a resource for the general membership regarding other mechanisms by which the APA may respond to their needs (e.g., in initiating local legislative efforts and public relations efforts on issues important to psychiatrists and their patients).
7) Recruit members among psychiatrists and trainees, encouraging their participation in DB and national activities, and mentor any members interested in Assembly office.
To read more, see PROCEDURAL CODE OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION