What does a delegate do at Annual Meeting?

Delegates gather as the House of Delegates at the Annual Meeting. Their job is to be lawmakers for the MMA for one and a half days.

They vote on all the resolutions calling for MMA actions or policies that are put forward by component medical societies, specialty societies, and individuals.

In a typical year there are usually about 150 delegates who consider about 50 resolutions, listening to testimony in committee hearings and voting. Delegates may testify before reference committees, in support or in opposition to resolutions. Delegates may also submit resolutions themselves, either as individuals or through their component medical society, specialty society, or section.

Delegates also elect the officers for the year to come.
 

What if a person wanted to learn more about the
House of Delegates?

The MMA has created a brief manual explaining the ins and outs.
 

How do I submit a resolution?

If you have an idea you would like to develop into a policy – or at least to have it given serious consideration – bring it to your component medical society, specialty society, or section.

The MMA has a guide to help you develop your resolution and a worksheet titled "How to Write a Resolution" that explains the process step by step.

If you need assistance with the development of a resolution, MMA staff is available to help answer your questions.

The deadline for submitting a resolution is Friday, July 1, 2011.
 

What is the Resolution Review Committee?

The Resolution Review Committee, composed of eight members including one from each of the six MMA trustee districts plus the speaker and vice speaker of the House of Delegates, reviews resolutions before the annual meeting and recommends whether they should be:

• referred to a House of Delegates reference committee;
• referred to the MMA Board of Trustees;
• rejected or returned to the component medical society sponsoring them, or
• reaffirmed as existing MMA policy.

In August, registered delegates have the opportunity to vote electronically on the Resolution Review Committee’s recommendations. Delegates may recommend that resolutions be further considered by a reference committee at the annual meeting. Resolutions are sent to a reference committee if at least 25 percent of registered delegates submit such a request.
 

Where and when will this year's Annual Meeting be held?

2011 Annual Meeting
September 15-16, 2011
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
 

What does the typical schedule include?

The 2010 MMA House of Delegates adopted Resolution 106 (MMA Annual Meeting) that called for the implementation of a variety of changes to the Annual Meeting. An overview of the revised meeting follows:

Thursday

Reference Committees

Thursday afternoon will begin with the Reference Committee open hearings. There are usually three to four reference committees, each devoted to a different range of issues.

Reference committees consist of about five physicians who listen to delegates express their opinions on the resolutions. Delegates may testify and listen to the debate. Then the reference committee goes into executive session and writes a report with recommendations for action by the House of Delegates on Friday.

Complete this short form to express your interest in serving on a committee.

Education

A variety of educational topics will be offered Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. MMA members who are not able to serve as delegates to the House of Delegates are welcome to attend these free sessions. The specific topics are listed on the agenda.

President’s Inaugural

The new MMA president is inaugurated Thursday evening. The inaugural includes a wonderful dinner, MMA awards and the actual inaugural ceremony.

Friday

Friday morning the component medical societies meet to caucus, reviewing the Reference Committee reports and recommendations. The physicians from the Twin Cities Metro area caucus in one group and those from Greater Minnesota caucus in another.

A networking lunch follows a Keynote Address and Policy Forum. The MMA House of Delegates (HOD) convenes Friday afternoon.

House of Delegates

Setting Policy

At the HOD, delegates have an opportunity to extract any resolution from the Reference Committee reports and to testify on resolutions that have been extracted. By approving resolutions, the House of Delegates sets the direction for MMA policy. The House of Delegates can recommend to adopt, not adopt, refer to the Board, amend, or adopt a substitute resolution.

Elections

Delegates elect MMA leaders during the HOD. In the spring there is a nomination period, in which every member is invited to put forth the names of physicians they feel would do a good job at the key positions:

• MMA President-elect: a backup to the President, who serves as the MMA's main spokesperson. The president-elect is inaugurated president at the annual meeting the following year.
• Secretary-treasurer: manages the financial affairs of the association, and chairs the Committee on Administration & Finance.
• Speaker, MMA House of Delegates: presides at House of Delegates meetings
• Vice speaker, MMA House of Delegates: assist the Speaker of the House
• Trustees: manage the affairs of the MMA and set policy between sessions of the House of Delegates.
• AMA delegation: manage the affairs of the MMA and set policy between sessions of the House of Delegates.

Delegates receive an Election Guide, like this one, that explains who the candidates are.

If you are interested in being considered for an MMA office or if you would like to recommend a colleague to the committee, contact MMA CEO Robert Meiches, M.D., at rmeiches@mnnmed.org.

Other Business

A few key MMA leaders provide reports at the HOD and there is often a report from the American Medical Association.
 

Does being a delegate really make any difference?

Yes. Delegates set the course of action for the MMA. Debating and voting for resolutions have a ripple effect, providing guidance to other leaders and opinion-makers, while impacting the practice of medicine and your profession.
 

So how do I sign up?

Easy: express your interest to your component medical society, specialty society, or section. A phone call will do it. If you don't have your CMS phone number handy, see our list at this link. Or, simply complete this interest form and MMA will forward your interest to the appropriate person. Let them know that you’ve never been a delegate before and want to get involved.

Every MMA member is welcome to take part!