Addendum to President's Report to the RA
Hi all,
I just wanted to let you know that I have submitted an addendum to my report to the RA in regards to the reorganization proposal. This addendum came about because of two very informative calls with the members of the Ethics Commission. Based on their input, I believed it was important to make sure their ideas were included. Some of their ideas are not in this addendum, particularly in relation to how the adjudication process should be handled. I am working on those ideas and will make them available to the membership and the RA Task Group as soon as they are fully formulated. I want to thank Dr. Kitty Reed for facilitating the discussion about ethics and how our organization can develop an integrated ethics model. The conversation was exciting to hear the possibilities. I firmly believe that ethics is everyone's business and that the Organization should be strongly involved in the prevention of ethical problems through a concerted education approach.
Penny Moyers Cleveland
AOTA President
Addendum to President’s Report – Participation Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations
Further Development Relative to Ethics Commission
February 26, 2010
In late February, the Participation Ad Hoc Committee, along with President Moyers Cleveland, engaged in a phone discussion with the Ethics Commission (EC) about the recommendations that are specific to the EC and the ethics function. As a result of that discussion the committee would like to add a few more points to the description of how the EC needs to evolve in the transition process.
Evolution from our current ethics approach towards an integrated ethics approach across the association. AOTA would explore the development of an integrated ethics program that addresses ethical issues proactively as well as reactively. Organizational as well as clinical ethics would be addressed, with participation of practitioners and educators.
An increased focus on educating members Advisory Opinions, articles, book chapters, academic education materials and continuing education offerings.
The Volunteer Leadership Development Committee (VLDC) would have an ethics education function as part of all leadership training in order to promote ethical leadership throughout the organization.
The Coordinated Online Opportunities for Leadership (COOL) database would ask questions specific to ethics interests and expertise and establish a pool of ethics experts to use on a variety of ad hoc groups and in development of educational materials for members. As stated in Kitty Reed’s summary of the February phone call, “other groups within the AOTA could participate in providing information and training about ethics. For example, educators could assist in preparing an advisory opinion on emerging issues with technology in the universities or colleges that have occupational therapy ducational programs.”
These next items are other considerations that could be a part of the transition process:
We would encourage the development of a Community of Practice (CoP) related to ethical issues open to all members.
As previously stated the seated EC chairperson would be a member of the inaugural Council to provide guidance and assistance in the transition process. Having the seated EC chairperson on the Council makes it possible for the Council to consider immediately appointing an ad hoc committee to ensure appropriate plans be made relative to development of an integrated ethics approach for AOTA.
Issues remain related to the continued need for our current adjudication process; more information related to specific recommendations will be presented for discussion at the Task Group level.