The AAFP Board of Directors has established a new structure to govern the Academy, effective in 2006. The system, approved by the Board May 3, will align more closely with the strategic goals of the organization, according to Board Chair Michael Fleming, M.D., of Shreveport, La.
“This is a completely new structure, with all-new commissions,” said Fleming. “Each has a new scope of work designed to meet our needs and strategic priorities and to facilitate the new model of care. We had become less functional because our commission and committee structure didn't fit our strategic plan and priorities and was not necessarily responsive to our most pressing needs.”
The new governance system (Members Only) came after a year of review and study by the Subcommittee on Governance, appointed by the Board in 2004.
“We have spent considerable time over the past few years developing our new strategic plan and priorities -- the priorities that reflect those things that are the most important for our members,” Fleming continued. “This new commission structure is designed to have the greatest effect on these priorities, to do what needs to be done in the most efficient manner possible.”
With nine commissions and eight Board-mandated subcommittees (compared with the current 10 commissions and four committees), the new structure consolidates related issues, said Fleming. Under the new system, each commission will have a defined scope of work that includes activities formerly completed by committees.
New AAFP Governance Structure Puts Focus on Meeting Strategic Goals
By Leslie Champlin
5/4/2005
To accomplish the work, each commission may consult “content experts,” including Academy members and outside consultants. Commissions also have the option of establishing additional subcommittees approved by the Board chair. New subcommittees that require a fiscal note would require approval from the entire Board.
When in place, the structure will call for 121 participating active members, down from 124 under the current system. In general, current committee members will transfer to commissions most closely matching the work of their former committees.
Highlights of AAFP’s New Governance Structure
The new structure has nine commissions and eight Board-mandated standing subcommittees.
Additional subcommittees may be appointed by each commission as deemed necessary and must be approved by the Board chair. The entire Board must approve additional subcommittees that require a fiscal note.
Commissions may use "content experts” -- either Academy members or outside consultants -- as deemed appropriate and within commission budgets.
Each commission member will be appointed to a single four-year term.
Commission chairs will be chosen from the fourth-year class for service in a fifth year.
At-large directors on the Board will serve as nonvoting liaisons to commissions. Student and resident Board members will serve as voting members of the Commission on Membership & Member Services. The new physician director will serve as a nonvoting, ex-officio liaison to a commission of his or her choice.
Additional subcommittees may be appointed by each commission as deemed necessary and must be approved by the Board chair. The entire Board must approve additional subcommittees that require a fiscal note.
Commissions may use "content experts” -- either Academy members or outside consultants -- as deemed appropriate and within commission budgets.
Each commission member will be appointed to a single four-year term.
Commission chairs will be chosen from the fourth-year class for service in a fifth year.
At-large directors on the Board will serve as nonvoting liaisons to commissions. Student and resident Board members will serve as voting members of the Commission on Membership & Member Services. The new physician director will serve as a nonvoting, ex-officio liaison to a commission of his or her choice.
The number of chapter executives serving in the governance structure will increase from eight under the current system to nine in 2006. The consolidation of commission and committee activities will result in a reduction of residents and students serving on leadership panels from 32 in 2005 to 22 in 2006. The AAFP remains very committed to including residents and students in all appropriate bodies, Fleming said.
In June, current commission and committee members will receive notification that describes their status for 2006 and asks if they wish to serve in the new governance structure. In late June, the
Academy will ask constituent chapters to nominate commission chairs, to be chosen from the senior class in each commission. If members of former committees are in their last year of service on those committees, they also will be eligible for service as chairs of commissions to which they are reassigned.
