Congress of Delegates Convenes in Phoenix
Sept. 23-25
Help Shape AAFP Policy by Submitting Written Testimony on Resolutions
July 10, 2024, News Staff — If you plan to attend the AAFP Congress of Delegates in Phoenix this fall, it’s time to start planning your trip to Arizona’s Valley of the Sun. The 2024 COD will convene Sept. 23-25 in the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown in conjunction with the Family Medicine Experience — the AAFP’s largest annual meeting — which is scheduled for Sept. 24-28.
As the Academy’s policy-making body, the COD is a chief component of the governance process through which members direct the AAFP’s work. It comprises two delegates and two alternates from each constituent chapter and from the various member constituencies (i.e., new physicians, residents, students, and other constituency groups represented at the National Conference of Constituency Leaders). Together, these member representatives will consider a host of business items — resolutions submitted by chapters and reports developed by the Board of Directors and commissions — and elect new AAFP officers and directors.
Also on the COD agenda: AAFP officers will provide updates on and answer questions about key Academy priorities during a Sept. 22 Town Hall, and several AAFP awards will be conferred during a luncheon on Sept. 24. And, of course, meeting participants will have plenty of opportunities to engage with FP colleagues and other attendees.
After last year’s successful debut, childcare options will again be available for COD and FMX participants who want to bring the whole family along. Children ages 6 months to 17 years are welcome to attend Camp FMX from Sept. 23 through Sept. 28. Expert care will be provided by Accent on Children’s Arrangements, and special full-day, half-day and hourly rates are available. If you plan to take advantage of this opportunity, register by Sept. 13 to reserve your child’s spot. Late and on-site registration requests will be accommodated if space is available.
Story Highlights
Participate From Your Home or Office
Even if you can’t attend the COD in person, you can still take an active role in helping shape Academy policy. This year, it’s easier than ever for you to share your thoughts on any of the measures delegates will take up. No need to attend virtual reference committee hearings; instead, any AAFP member can submit written testimony on resolutions between Aug. 23 and Sept. 3.
Chairs and members of the reference committees on Advocacy; Health of the Public and Science; Organization, Finance and Education; and Practice Enhancement will convene in executive session hearings the week of Sept. 9 to consider members’ written testimony and staff background materials. After reviewing this information, each reference committee will issue an initial report and consent calendar containing the committee’s recommendations for delegates regarding each measure (i.e., vote to adopt or not adopt the original resolution or a revised substitute, reaffirm it as current policy, or refer it to the Board for further consideration). These materials will be posted online no later than 5 p.m. CT Sept. 16 so delegates have ample time to scrutinize them.
Delegates may request extractions from these initial consent calendars via email through Sept. 19. They will also be allowed to extract items during the COD’s opening session on Sept. 23. At that time, items that have not been extracted will be adopted as a consent calendar.
Testimony on extracted items will be heard during one of two on-site Extracted Items Reference Committee hearings on Sept. 23. Those committees’ reports and consent calendars will be presented, debated and voted on Sept. 24–25.
Weigh in on AAFP Candidates
Reviewing the candidates for office and letting your chapter delegates know which candidates you support is another way you can participate in the AAFP governance process.
Start by exploring the 2024 AAFP Candidates webpage to see who’s running for president-elect, speaker, vice speaker and directors. Then link to each candidate’s individual page to learn more about them; it’s where you’ll find their contact information, personal statement, biography and curriculum vitae. You’ll need to be logged in to access these pages.
Check out the AAFP’s Candidate Campaign Activities and Rules document to learn how candidates can use social media for campaigning purposes and how you can use the official COD event hashtag — #aafpcod — to follow campaign activities and other events leading up to the election.
You’ll find more information about this year’s COD online, including links to a schedule of official activities as well as to resolutions as they are submitted. A registration and housing link is also available.
Finally, if you’re heading to Phoenix for the COD, but you’re still on the fence about whether to stay on for this year’s FMX, see what’s in store for the 2024 meeting, take a look at highlights from 2023, and find dates and locations for upcoming FMX gatherings — all in one place.