SOMA Presentation National Director of Political Affairs Travis

SOMA Presentation National Director of Political Affairs Travis Snyder Touro NV OMSIII travishsnyder@gmail. com 9199233714

Political Affairs Job Description • • • • • POLITICAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR Job Description and Task List Be familiar with all issues and projects relating to national legislation that has potential impact on SOMA, osteopathic medicine, or osteopathic medical students in general. Inform SOMA members of such issues. Coordinate letter-writing, phone, or other lobbying efforts in support of or against any federal legislation affecting the above, as determined by National SOMA and/or the SOMA House of Delegates. Lead any program in which SOMA is legislatively involved at the federal level. Contact Chapter Presidents so that local SOMA members can be informed of and assist in these matters. Work directly with the AOA Washington Bureau office to stay informed of current osteopathic political topics. Communicate monthly with this office to inform them of SOMA’s national activities promoting political development. Work directly with the AOA Washington Bureau Office to coordinate the annual D. O. Day on the Hill event. Attend the annual D. O. Day on the Hill in Washington, D. C. and encourage SOMA members nationwide to participate in the event. Chair the SOMA Political Affairs Committee. Work to increase student enrollment and active participation in OPAC (osteopathic political action committee), GOAL (grassroots osteopathic advocacy link), everypatientcounts. org, and other formal/grassroots political organizations dedicated to improving our osteopathic political environment. Inform SOMA members and local chapters about the federal process of bill introduction, ratification, and passage. Keep SOMA members updated as to what they can do to write, change, or influence such legislation. Promote the osteopathic political affairs honor society to SOMA members nationwide. Encourage participation and involvement in the society and coordinate the induction of new members, which should be held in conjunction with D. O. Day on the Hill and the SOMA Spring Convention. Work with other student, professional, and political organizations to enhance the political development of SOMA and its members. Develop relationships with individuals that possess the resources that could further the progress of SOMA’s Political Affairs program by acting as committee advisors. Maintain contact with the COSGP (Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents) National Chairperson in order to work with the Council on any pertinent political issues. Maintain contact with the AOA and AACOM so as to stay informed and work together on any pertinent political issues. If possible, attend relevant political/legislative conferences to represent and promote SOMA and osteopathic medicine as well as to receive new and pertinent legislative information.

Goals!!!!

National SOMA Political Survey • What? 20 Questions for all national positions and the 5 officers of each SOMA chapter • Why? It is important for any organization to understand the priorities and composition of it’s membership in order to best represent them. The results will tell us where we stand allow us to potentially tailor specific future programs. Create benchmarks to measure progress. • When? Conclusions and results will be presented in the Fall in San Diego and posted online.

Local Chapter Political Affairs Liason • Each chapter needs to have one! • Should be appointed or elected (chapter choice) concurrent with or immediately after officer elections. • Exploring the possibility of creating a new Political Affairs full officer position.

Job Description • Not too time consuming! • Coordinate with National Director and/or OPAC in national political advocacy campaigns. • Assisting and interacting with state Osteopathic Organizations. (State DO Day? ) • Alerting students to local health policy events, political rallies, elections, voting! • Registering voters, letter writing, campaigning? Like all ‘official positions’ results come from the person not the position; it can be whatever you make of it!

• • School (Region) • • • • • • AZCOM (III) CCOM (II) DMUCOM (II) KCUMB-COM (III) LECOM (I) LECOM-Bradenton (IV) MSUCOM (II) NSU-COM (IV) NYCOM (I) OSUCOM (IV) OUCOM (II) PCOM (I) GA-PCOM (IV) PCSOM (IV) TCOM (IV) TOURO-Nevada (III) TUCOM (III) UMDMJ (I) UNECOM (I) VCOM (I) WU-COMP (III) WVSOM (II) Political Affairs Contact Yes x x x x Not Yet x x x No response! x x

No Response • • KCUMB-COM (III) MSUCOM (II) NSU-COM (IV) OUCOM (II) PCOM (I) PCSOM (IV) TCOM (IV) TUCOM (III)

Omega Beta Iota update • Osteopathic Political Honors Society • First initiation last may in DC! • Constitution of new society and election of officers needs to be done • ‘Tweaking’ of eligibilities • Applications on SOMA website

Further goals • Work with AMSA • Work with OPAC, AOA • Work with COSGP • Website development • Quarterly presentations • Resolutions! • Contact me with ideas and/or comments!!

Student Power • • Residencies Internship year Match Student Loans

“Just because you don’t take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you. ” - Perciles

Any Questions?