About NCCL
NCCL is a vehicle for member constituencies, recognized as women, BIPOC, new physicians, international medical graduates, and LGBTQ+ physicians, to exchange information, share experiences, and develop basic leadership skills. The conference is an opportunity for members of underrepresented constituencies to voice their individual and group perspectives.
- On this page
- NCCL resolutions
- NCCL elections
What is the National Conference of Constituency Leaders?
The National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL) serves as a platform for the different perspectives and concerns of AAFP members from underrepresented constituencies to help bring about change. Attend NCCL to help develop your voice and have it heard. Elect national officers, gain and enhance skills to become an articulate policy advocate and an effective leader, and meet others that share similar interests.
Who can participate?
Reference committees and business sessions are open to all NCCL attendees. General registrants may co-author resolutions and testify on issues during sessions, but to vote on resolutions and in most elections, you must be a chapter delegate. Contact your chapter to learn how to participate as a chapter delegate.
What is a chapter delegate?
Chapter delegates are official representatives from each constituency representing each chapter. All active members who meet the definition of the constituency group they will represent are eligible to serve as a chapter delegate. Chapter delegates are eligible to serve on and testify in all reference committees, vote on resolutions in the business session, and vote in the elections.
Can I earn CME?
NCCL offers enrichment credit for your time at the conference on an hour-for-hour basis. A certificate of participation is available for those who require attendance documentation.
What can I expect from NCCL?
NCCL gives you the opportunity to meet members with similar interests as well as Annual Chapter Leader Forum (ACLF) attendees. By attending NCCL, you can:
- Learn about the AAFP’s strategic priorities and how the AAFP and other key organizations address issues of importance to family physicians and the underserved.
- Receive instruction in parliamentary procedure and informed decision-making.
- Participate in special discussion groups and develop and debate resolutions on a wide range of topics.
- Network with national AAFP leadership.
- Attend educational breakout sessions.
- Hone leadership skills to use in your practice, in your community, with the media, and in advocacy for the specialty of family medicine.
NCCL resolutions
Resolution writing
Resolution writing is a great way to hone your advocacy skills. Starting as an idea, a resolution can develop into a formal proposal or recommendation. The purpose of a resolution from NCCL may be to establish AAFP policy, request investigation or implementation of an AAFP program, address issues of concern, or request the elimination of non-essential AAFP activities. Constituency discussion groups are ideal forums for generating resolutions.
To be considered, resolutions must:
- Address only one issue;
- Include “whereas” clause(s) that are stated clearly, factually, and are limited to relevant information;
- Include “resolved” clause(s) that stand alone without the rest of the document present (clear and concise, positively stating the action or policy called for by the resolution);
- Include a statement explaining any fiscal implications necessary to implement the “resolved” clause(s);
- Be endorsed by at least two NCCL Chapter Delegates (Active AAFP members only) at this conference; and
- Be submitted online
Each resolution is assigned to a reference committee. The Conference Manager determines the ultimate designation of which reference committee will act on a resolution. This determination looks at the relevance of the issue, the possible grouping of like issues for consideration, and the relative workload of each committee. At the publicized time, the committee hears testimony on its resolutions. The author of the resolution is allowed to testify first if so desired. Then, anyone with an interest in the resolution being discussed may offer input. Learn more about reference committees.
Each reference committee presents its recommendations via consent calendar during the final business session. After all actions have been taken (adopted, not adopted, reaffirmed), resolutions that have been adopted are forwarded to the Board of Directors and assigned to appropriate AAFP commissions. Any resolution that has been directly forwarded to the AAFP Congress of Delegates will be reviewed first by the Commission on Membership and Member Services.
Reference committees and business sessions are open to all NCCL attendees. General registrants may co-author resolutions and testify on issues during sessions, but to vote on resolutions in the business session, you must be a chapter delegate. Contact your chapter to learn how to participate as a chapter delegate.
Each constituency is limited to submitting 10 resolutions per the NCCL Rules of Order.
The NCCL resolution submission portal will be open on Thursday, April 23 from 1:00-3:00 pm.
NCCL elections
Elected positions include:
- LGBTQ+
- International Medical Graduates (IMG) Co-Convener
- BIPOC Co-Convener
- Women Co-Convener
- New Physicians Alternate Delegates
- New Physician Board of Directors Candidate
- AMA-YPS (Young Physician Section) Delegates
- Member Constituency Alternate Delegates
If you're interested in running for one of the positions listed above, please review this information about election timelines and eligibility requirements:
Co-Conveners: 2
Term: One-year only
Any active member of the AAFP who:
- fits the definition for the constituency (those who self-identify as LGBTQ+ or who are supportive of and aligned with LGBTQ+ issues);
- is registered for and in attendance at NCCL;
- and conforms to the expectations and regulations of the position.