Councils & Committees: Find Your Niche
BECOMING A LEADER
Florida Pharmacy Association Councils and Committees are Leadership Training programs. True, as a Council or Committee Member you are a volunteer at one of the biggest pharmacy associations in the world and most fun associations in Florida; thus, you are making things happen. You attend meetings. You go to events. You work with other FPA Members. But, Council and Committee Members are so much more – they are learning how to be better managers of people, projects, and money. Through Council and Committee work, you become better at your job.
That’s what FPA does – we help you:
Be Better at Business Tomorrow than You Were Today!
Councils and Committees Help You Hone & Learn
- Leadership Skills.
- Budgeting.
- Managing People.
- Customer Service.
- Organization.
- Precision of Language.
- Debate & Compromise.
- Delegation.
- Building a Team.
- Communication.
What is a Council / Committee?
The Board of Directors establishes or dismantles Councils and Committees of FPA based on the Board’s perceived needs, coupled with the goals of the Board. This is used done through modification of the Bylaws or Board Policy. Councils and Committees focus on particular areas of FPA oversight & success on behalf of the Board and for the Board.
They do not have authority in and of themselves. Their purpose is to research, brainstorm, monitor, and debate among themselves then present carefully crafted ideas, plans, proposals, and solutions to the Board as a recommendation for consideration. This is done through a motion. A motion must pass at the Council or Committee level before taken to the Board for consideration as a recommendation. Once passed by the Board, said motion becomes an FPA directive, event, program, policy, etc. which is then presented to the EVP/CEO to be executed by FPA Staff.
The Council or Committee Chair is appointed for an “Association year” by the President to serve during the upcoming Association year (Saturday of the Annual Convention through the next Annual Convention Saturday, which is usually held in mid-July). Councils and Committees may also have Vice Chairs who perform the role of Secretary (take minutes of the meetings) and assist the Chair or run the meeting in the Chair's absence. The Vice Chair is heir-apparent to the Council or Committee; meaning, if they do a good job and work hard, they will likely be the Chair of that Council or Committee the following Association year, as appointed by the then President-Elect. Council and Committee Chairs & Vice Chairs serve in their positions for one year.
How Do I Join a Council or Committee?
All FPA Councils and Committees are CLOSED; meaning, you have be selected to join. Some are CLOSED by additional rules or criteria to participate.
Since FPA Members are passionate and excited about their association, each Council and Committee has an Interest List of Members waiting their turn to serve. Although you, as a Member, can be on as many Interest Lists for as many Councils and Committees as you want, you can only be on one Council or Committee, unless specially appointed by the President. What’s more, if you are offered a position on a Council or Committee with a need and turn it down (you are too busy, you would prefer another Council or Committee instead, you don’t like when they meet, etc.) you will go to the bottom of ALL COUNCIL COMMITTEE INTEREST LISTS. So, choose the Councils and Committees on which you wish to serve carefully. Only add your name to the Interest List if you plan to serve when called upon.
Click on the buttons below to learn more about each Council or Committee and/or to join its Interest List.
How Long Can I Serve on the Same Council / Committee?
Members of FPA Councils and Committees serve for one-year terms; but can serve several terms back-to-back. There are some exceptions to this; such as, the two Members-at-Large that serve on the Budget & Finance Committee serve for two-year terms. That said, you can serve subsequent terms for most Councils & Committees.
The FPA advises that you consider serve on a different Council or Committee after you have been on the same one for three consecutive terms. This can be extended if you move into a Vice Chair or Chair role of that Council or Committee. The change and variation between different Councils and Committees expands your horizons, gives you new problems to solve, different situations to manage, and grows you into being a stronger leader.
Educational Affairs Council
The Educational Affairs Council considers any matters or issues pertaining to pharmacy education, or any other matters referred to it for consideration. The Council proposes policy and programs designed to provide quality continuing education to the pharmacists and technicians of Florida. The Council deliberates and decides the education designed for professional enhancement throughout the Association Year. The Council determines topics, format, speakers / presenters, and aid the FPA Staff in developing a budget for each of educational offerings.
Education is one of FPA's pillars, upon which the entire Association is built: Advocacy. Education. Governance, Membership. Sustainability.
Membership Affairs Council
The Membership Affairs Council facilitates the FPA's Membership recruitment and retention programs as well as oversees the activities of the #1 Club, or any other matters referred to it for consideration. The Membership Committee is charged with monitoring FPA Membership. It develops and implements plans for increasing Membership in all Membership Types.
Membership is one of FPA's pillars, upon which the entire Association is built: Advocacy. Education. Governance, Membership. Sustainability.
Organizational Affairs Council
The Organizational Affairs Council considers issues pertaining to the structure, function, and development of the Association, or any other matters referred to it for consideration. This, primarily, takes the form of research, reviewing, and deliberating on Board Policy, on behalf of the Board of Directors, to make recommendations to edit, modify, remove, or add policies to the Policy Manual. Such activity in association management, including the activities of the Board of Directors, is known as "Governance".
Governance is one of FPA's pillars, upon which the entire Association is built: Advocacy. Education. Governance, Membership. Sustainability.
Professional Affairs Council
The Professional Affairs Council considers matters or issues of interest to the pharmacy profession and arising from, or inherent in, the interface of the pharmacy profession with other professions, or any other matter referred to it for consideration. Included in its charge, and its primary activity, is monitoring the activities, regulatory changes, license requirements, and related decisions by the Florida Board of Pharmacy. The Council attempts to have at least one Council Member present at every Florida Board of Pharmacy Board Meeting for this reason.
Public Affairs Council
The Public Affairs Council was formed to consider matters or issues inherent in, or arising from, the interface of the profession with the public, or any other matters referred to it for consideration. The Council assists the FPA Staff in disseminating material relating to the practice of pharmacy to the public in order to enhance the image of the profession of pharmacy.
Student Affairs Council
The Student Affairs Council promotes & encourages student involvement in the FPA and serves as a liaison between the FPA & Florida Colleges of Pharmacy. Each year, the Council takes the lead, along with FPA Staff, in planning, organizing, and managing Legislative Day on Capitol Hill in Tallahassee and the associated Health Fair.
Budget & Finance Committee
Carrying the heavy load of making all of the financial-related recommendations to the Board of Directors to ensure the Association is sustainable for many years to come, this Committee has four responsibilities:
- Investment Policy of the Association.
- Preparation of an Annual Budget.
- Development of reimbursement policies for travel and per diem expenses of representatives of the Association.
- Provide recommendations for dues adjustments based on current financial position.
The Budget & Finance Committee consists of the Treasurer as Committee Chair, the Immediate Past Treasurer, President, President-Elect, Chairman of the Board, Speaker of the House of Delegates, Vice Speaker of the House of Delegates, two Members-at-Large (each serving two-year terms), and EVP / CEO.
Sustainability is one of FPA's pillars, upon which the entire Association is built: Advocacy. Education. Governance, Membership. Sustainability.
Government Affairs Committee
Many Members argue that the GAC is the most important thing that the FPA does. Whether you study the History of Associations or review Our History, the origination of FPA and the Association model is clear – for professionals and businesses to band together to advocate for themselves, the profession, and the industry. The purpose for associating, and the FPA, they would argue, is to defend the profession and industry from governmental attack and encroachment. One unarguable fact is that FPA was founded for Members to stand united for Advocacy and Government Affairs.
Advocacy is one of FPA's pillars, upon which the entire Association is built: Advocacy. Education. Governance, Membership. Sustainability.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee has one of the most important roles in the Association with the smallest time commitment. With their work primarily done in the fourth quarter of each year, this Committee establishes the guidelines for serving as a candidate for the Board of Directors or an Officer thereon. They, then, review the credentials and Membership of each nominated candidate to determine if the guidelines are met making the candidate eligible for election.
The Nominating Committee consists of the Immediate Past Board Chairman as Committee Chair, a representative from every standing Council, usually the Chair of that Council, and EVP / CEO. However, one condition of serving on this Committee is that no Committee Member serving is eligible to run for FPA office.
Presidents Committee
Consisting of FPA’s Officers, this is the most elite & prestigious Committee of the Association. The Committee is charged with making the decisions required to implement the actions of the Board of Directors. This Committee may take action on behalf of the Association and may make interim decisions between meetings of the Board of Directors, subject to the review and approval of the Board of Directors.
The Presidents Committee consists of the President as Committee Chair, President-Elect, Treasurer, Chairman of the Board, Speaker of the House of Delegates, Vice Speaker of the House of Delegates, and EVP/CEO.