Let's Make Our Organization

[2win]

---

Members do not see this ad.

What do u think guys - is the time to make our REAL organization? Let's finish the ASA! An organization that will represent us, fight for us - one that we'll be proud about.

 

[Gern Blansten]

Great idea! Let's call it the "Student Doctor Network Institute For Doctors Who Can't Read Good and Want To Learn To Do Other Stuff Too"

But it will have to be at least...three times as big as this forum.

 

[2ndyear]

What do u think guys - is the time to make our REAL organization? Let's finish the ASA! An organization that will represent us, fight for us - one that we'll be proud about.

I do agree on some levels, but you'd have to have a full buy in. I'm not sure that even all ASA members have any idea about the current political threats from the AANA with pain, doctorates, etc. It seems there has been more ASA statements in the last few months. The recent letter to the NBME regarding the DNP exam comes to mind.

The problem with multiple organizations is evident in pain. Politically, they're fragmented into several groups, and they're likely weaker because of it. I'd probably be more in favor of getting like minded people into the higher-ups of the ASA. They have the organization in place, the lobbyists, etc. Problem is, it takes too long to get there, and we could have lost a whole lot by the time a real mover and shaker gets there.

 

[jwk]

What do u think guys - is the time to make our REAL organization? Let's finish the ASA! An organization that will represent us, fight for us - one that we'll be proud about.

You'd probably be surprised by how much goes on behind the scenes with the ASA that you never know about. It is not a do-nothing organization.

 

[Planktonmd]

You'd probably be surprised by how much goes on behind the scenes with the ASA that you never know about. It is not a do-nothing organization.

Yes, we don't know what happens behind the scenes, but so far whatever it is that they are doing doesn't seem to be working.

 

[Ender]

You'd probably be surprised by how much goes on behind the scenes with the ASA that you never know about. It is not a do-nothing organization.

I was recently at the ASA PAC Legislative Conference just last month. After spending a lot of time reading some of the things posted here over the last few years I was very curious to see how much they did or did not do. I was very impressed by the organization and the efficacy of the group. The PAC is strong a growing stronger. The Congressman and Senators know who we are and are now aware of our concerns. Many of them are fighting for our cause as well. The concerns that are discussed here are the same issues that the PAC is fighting for. We all have to realize that change takes time and big changes take more time. We also have to realize that if we sit back and complain, nothing gets done. If you want things to happen the best way to do so is to get involved in the already strong organization that is positioned to make them happened. How can you even consider starting a new organization without educating yourself about the current one by attending a conference and becoming a contributor? If you have not been involved then you are ignorant of what is really going on.

The DC conference was quite an education. We spent a few days going over the current concerns in our specialty, the current legislation on the table that forwarded our cause, the political climate in washington and most importantly how to get things done in the political world. They trained us on how to talk to our congressmen and senators about the current issues and what really drives them to action. On the last day we actually met with either our actual congressman and senators or with their Legislative Assistants (who suprisingly enough have a significant influence on the Legislators). Our actions had a strong possitive influence on the SGR fix in the HOUSE (forstalled the medicare cuts and permanately fixed the anesthesia teaching rule). In the Senate it was one vote shy of passing. Fortunately when the house and the senate reconviene one of the first things on the agenda is new legilation on these issues. The House sent an overwelming message that this needs to be fixed and I am confident that it will be. Once again, things in politics take time. If you want to make a change EDUCATE yourself and then call your senators and congressman. Urge them to suport our legislation. Sure the president can threatent to veto, but he may or may not based on the strength of the support these bills get on capital hill as well as his what his advisors tell him what he should or should not do in an election year with his party in the possition to lose the whitehouse.

In short if you tried to creat a new organization you would start with NOTHING. No experience, no organization, no longstanding political relationships, and effectively no power. We have an organization that is there to help us. It is made up of mostly private practive Anesthesiologist from what I could tell (not many academic guys came). It has experience, power, relationships, and numbers. What it could use is more active participation from within our ranks and more donors. You don't have to give big. $20 from 1000 people is even better than $40,000 from one person (yes I meant those totals to be different😉).

Besides, getting actual support for a new organization from people on SDN would be difficult. It is my observation that there are many people here who like to vent (no pun intended), but those who are willing to act are fewer in number.

If you want change, get involved, and become a leader. You will be suprised at how much you can do and how much your views and ideas are appreciated and held by many others in the ASA-PAC.

Just my humble opinion,

Ender

PS In other words I agree with JWK