MMA Viewpoint
How Things Work
Our Minnesota Medical Association illustrates the adage “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Like the human body, it is the product of its complex, interacting systems.
The MMA staff is its skeletal support. They’re on the job every day, working with legislators at the Capitol, with the media, and with numerous organizations around the state on issues related to health care in Minnesota. Their behind-the-scenes work makes our jobs as the leaders of the association much easier and helps us advocate effectively and efficiently on behalf of the MMA.
Our membership at large is the integumentary component. It keeps the association informed about the status of our medical community, both at the local and state level. We depend on the feedback we get from Minnesota physicians, who provide us with the important information we need to move our MMA forward. There is strength in numbers and our influence largely depends on the fact that we represent most of the physicians in Minnesota.
The Board of Trustees and its subset, the Executive Committee, are the MMA’s muscles, driving the organization’s actions throughout the year. Their primary role is to promote the policies and positions of the association, manage its ongoing affairs, and, when needed, set new policy. These groups meet on alternate months to keep on top of developing and ongoing issues. This keeps our positions and concerns prominent in the proper venues.
The House of Delegates is the lifeblood of our organization. It generates the policies that inform our public statements, positions, and legislative goals. When the House meets during the Annual Meeting in September, delegates make decisions about the issues before them, giving the rest of the organization its marching orders. That makes the Annual Meeting essential; MMA success depends on the participation and deliberations of the House of Delegates.
The Annual Meeting is where all the components of the MMA come together. Here, all the various parts of our association—members, delegates, staff, and officers work together for patients and physicians in Minnesota. I would encourage you to attend and observe this gold-medal organization in action. Staff and other members will make you feel welcome and answer any questions you may have.
The House of Delegates is an entry point for getting involved in the MMA and learning about the workings of our association. If you want to become a delegate, you should work through your county/component society or your specialty society to do so.
It is important to encourage fellow physicians who express interest or who seem to have the desire and potential to become MMA leaders to start down that path by becoming delegates. Twenty years ago, in the fall of 1988, I volunteered to be a delegate from the Upper Mississippi Medical Society. When I received my delegate materials, I saw there was an opportunity to volunteer to serve on a reference committee. Being none the wiser, I said I was willing. I jumped with both feet into MMA policy deliberations and have never regretted that decision. I strongly encourage others to take up the challenge.
If you are not ready to become a delegate, however, feel free to come to the Annual Meeting and mingle with your colleagues at the reception, attend one of the CME sessions, or listen to reference committee deliberations.
Enjoy the rest of the summer. I hope to see you in St. Paul.