Florida Occupational Therapy Association

Board Meeting Reporting Form

Name: Cathy Peirce

FOTA Position: Regional Representative Coordinator

Date report submitted: Date: October 1, 2015

Date of Board meeting: October 15, 2015

Highlight the FOTA activities conducted or task accomplished since the last FOTA Board meeting or since assuming your FOTA position.

Partnerships

(1)  Create at least one partnership between FOTA and an external agency annually

a.  I believe Sylvia’s group partnered with outside groups on the issue of the State benefit plan

(2)  Engage members with influence who serve in external agencies to work with FOTA

a.  No activity here that I am aware of

(3)  Create opportunities for the purpose of growing mentoring relationships among students and OT practitioners

a.  Region 7 just appointed 4 student members to the board, 2 from FIU and 2 from NSU

b.  Region 7 will once again be co-sponsoring a tri-school student research symposium in April

c.  NSU student class has been required to attend Region 7 annual legislative social October 21, 2015

d.  Second annual speed dating event held between students in practitioners in Rebecca’s region

(4)  Partnered research projects between FOTA liaison and students

a.  I am unclear about this goal; students do this with faculty currently

(5)  Seek ways to collaborate and support consumers of OT

a.  Rebecca’s region supports the Free Equal Access OT Clinic through practitioner volunteer commitments year round (serve 2 – 3 times a year).

b.  Supporting consumers of OT by provided CEUs to OT practitioners.

·  Monthly events held in Rebecca’s region

·  1 – 2 times per quarter events in Region 7; at a recent event a consumer, the parent of a child receiving OT was present and active; Ranyouri was scheduled to present in Region 7 on driving but event was canceled due to low sign-up. Another driving course taking place at same time, of which we were not aware.

If you have established goals on a prior report, describe the progress towards meeting these goals.

(1)  Cathy suggested to Region 7 to get involved with a community event; discussed by board but no action taken at this time.

(2)  Cathy filled one position (Sylva) but lost another (Rebecca) and has two forum leaders helping out in their regions until one year membership criteria has been met

(3)  Cathy regularly communicates with RRs by email; attempted to schedule on-line meeting which did not work. Instead communicated through our committee page about welcoming new region members. Uploaded welcome letter to be amended and used by RRs monthly.

(4)  Jacksonville forum up and running with first scheduled event, with assistance of Bonnie Inkel (8 in attendance)

(5)  Welcome letters sent to new members; preparing article for winter FOCUS (Julie)

What are the goals you hope to accomplish by the next meeting?

(1)  Julie: increase involvement in next forum event; one strategy will be starting a region Facebook page.

(2)  The four reporting RRs (Julie, Rebecca, Cathy, and Sylvia) all plan to continue to provide CEU events, networking events, and to increase participation by region clinicians, as well as increase political activism and membership in FOTA and AOTA. Region 7 is doing an activity during the legislative social toward this end, bringing lap tops to sign up members, as well as including a legislative action during the event.

What are the things that need to occur so that you and/or your committee can accomplish these goals?

(1)  I see that RRs are listed as responsible parties for STG “educate members on how to implement strategies”; however, I don’t think that the STG of creating an ad hoc committee was met in order for us to work on this. Maybe I am just not aware though and, in fact, was done. Please update.

(2)  See partnerships #4 above

(3)  Continued education from a legislative perspective on how to influence current efforts in Florida and additionally build capacity to have a louder voice here in North Central Florida.

Do you have additional concerns and/or suggestions for the FOTA Officers unrelated to your position and/or committee goals?

(1)  Rebecca says: I’d additionally love to learn more about how to support the FOTA Board.

(2)  Collecting reports from RRs in time for me to report is a concern