How to Write a Resolution
As a WSMA member, you can help guide the direction of the
association and raise awareness of issues of importance to the
practice of medicine in Washington by authoring a resolution—a
proposal asking the WSMA to take a position or act on an
issue.
Resolutions, which are key policy drivers for the association, are
considered for adoption at the Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates each fall.
First steps
If you have an idea for a policy that you'd like the House of Delegates
to adopt, take a moment and consult the
WSMA Policy Compendium
to make sure the subject isn't already addressed in current WSMA
policy. Alternately, you may seek to modify existing WSMA policy. If
you'd like to advance a change in the governance and regulation of the
WSMA, download and review the
WSMA Bylaws
for reference.
For help developing your proposal, check out our
general discussion forum, where you can post a topic for discussion with other members.
Tapping the expertise of your colleagues can help you hone your
proposal and increase its chances for adoption. The forum is
password-protected and available year-round.
Requirements for submitting your resolution
Once you've decided on a proposal, you must:
-
Organize your proposal into the required resolution format. For
details on how to format your proposal using the five basic elements
of a resolution, review our
detailed instructions.
-
Identify a sponsor for your resolution. Resolutions must be
sponsored by a WSMA delegate, alternate delegate or member of the
board of trustees. If you are interested in authoring a resolution
but are not a delegate or board member, the WSMA will work with you
to develop your resolution idea and find a sponsor. Contact us at
hod@wsma.org or 206.441.9762 for
assistance.
-
Submit your resolution to the WSMA for review at
hod@wsma.org. WSMA staff will
review the resolution for any legal or legislative concern and will
work with you to establish a fiscal note (the cost, if any, to
implement the resolution if adopted). Your resolution may be
submitted at any time during the year; however, if you'd like your
resolution to be considered at the yearly meeting of the WSMA House
of Delegates, be sure to meet the deadlines for resolution
submission. For deadlines, check the
meeting webpage
or contact us at hod@wsma.org or
206.441.9762.
Submission complete—what's next?
Once your resolution has been reviewed by WSMA staff, it will be posted
online in our
virtual reference committees
to give other WSMA members a chance to review and discuss the merits of
your proposal prior to the WSMA Annual Meeting. During the meeting,
in-person reference committees allow members an additional opportunity
to offer input on proposed policies.
Reference committee members will consider all testimony, online and in
person, as they prepare their reports that contain recommendations for
the House of Delegates on how to act on resolutions. These reports are
distributed during the final House of Delegates session at the WSMA
Annual Meeting prior to voting.
The WSMA Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates brings together the
approximately 200 voting members of the WSMA House of Delegates to
debate and determine policy for the association, elect officers, and
network with colleagues. Free for WSMA members, the meeting is not only
your chance to help set the agenda of your state medical association,
but it is also a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your
colleagues and peers from throughout the state.
If you have never attended a WSMA annual meeting,
learn more about the how, when, where and why of our premiere
policy-making event.