For The Betterment of Public Health Since 1791

Delegation to the AMA

Delegates and alternate delegates to the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association (AMA) are elected in accordance with the constitution and by-laws of that body. Delegates and alternate delegates shall be elected for two-year terms and shall assume office upon election. No individual shall serve as delegate and/or as alternate delegate to the American Medical Association for more than five consecutive terms.

The AMA House of Delegates is the principal policy-making body of the American Medical Association. According to Article VI of the AMA Constitution:

The legislative and policy-making body of the Association is the House of Delegates, composed of elected representatives and others as provided in the Bylaws. The House of Delegates shall transact all business of the Association not otherwise specifically provided for in this Constitution and Bylaws, and shall elect the general officers except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws.

AMA Delegate/Alternate Delegate Job Description, Roles and Responsibilities

Delegates and Alternate Delegates should meet the following job description and roles and responsibilities:
Job Description and Roles and Responsibilities of AMA Delegates/Alternate Delegates

Members of the AMA House of Delegates serve as an important communications, policy, and membership link between the AMA and grassroots physicians. The delegate/alternate delegate is a key source of information on activities, programs, and policies of the AMA. The delegate/alternate delegate is also a direct contact for the individual member to communicate with and contribute to the formulation of AMA policy positions, the identification of situations that might be addressed through policy implementation efforts, and the implementation of AMA policies. Delegates and alternate delegates to the AMA are expected to foster a positive and useful two-way relationship between grassroots physicians and the AMA leadership. To fulfill these roles, AMA delegates and alternate delegates are expected to make themselves readily accessible to individual members by providing the AMA with their addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses so that the AMA can make the information accessible to individual members through the AMA web site and through other communication mechanisms. The qualifications and responsibilities of this role are as follows:

1. Qualifications
   
   • AMA member.
     
   • Elected or selected by the principal governing body or the membership of the sponsoring organization.
     
   • The AMA encourages that at least one member of each delegation be involved in the governance of their sponsoring organization.
     
2. Responsibilities
   
   • Regularly communicate AMA policy, information, activities, and programs to constituents so he/she will be recognized as the representative of the AMA.
     
   • Relate constituent views and suggestions, particularly those related to implementation of AMA policy positions, to the appropriate AMA leadership, governing body, or executive staff.
     
   • Advocate constituent views within the House of Delegates or other governance unit, including the executive staff.
     
   • Attend and report highlights of House of Delegates meetings to constituents, for example, at hospital medical staff, county, state, and specialty society meetings.
     
   • Serve as an advocate for patients to improve the health of the public and the health care system.
     
   • Cultivate promising leaders for all levels of organized medicine and help them gain leadership positions.
     
   • Actively recruit new AMA members and help retain current members.
     

Participate in the AMA Delegate/Alternate Delegate Job Description, Roles and Responsibilities

Delegates and Alternate Delegates should meet the following job description and roles and responsibilities:

Job Description and Roles and Responsibilities of AMA Delegates/Alternate Delegates

Members of the AMA House of Delegates serve as an important communications, policy, and membership link between the AMA and grassroots physicians. The delegate/alternate delegate is a key source of information on activities, programs, and policies of the AMA. The delegate/alternate delegate is also a direct contact for the individual member to communicate with and contribute to the formulation of AMA policy positions, the identification of situations that might be addressed through policy implementation efforts, and the implementation of AMA policies. Delegates and alternate delegates to the AMA are expected to foster a positive and useful two-way relationship between grassroots physicians and the AMA leadership. To fulfill these roles, AMA delegates and alternate delegates are expected to make themselves readily accessible to individual members by providing the AMA with their addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses so that the AMA can make the information accessible to individual members through the AMA web site and through other communication mechanisms. The qualifications and responsibilities of this role are as follows:

1. Qualifications
   
   • AMA member.
     
   • Elected or selected by the principal governing body or the membership of the sponsoring organization.
     
   • The AMA encourages that at least one member of each delegation be involved in the governance of their sponsoring organization.
     
2. Responsibilities
   
   • Regularly communicate AMA policy, information, activities, and programs to constituents so he/she will be recognized as the representative of the AMA.
     
   • Relate constituent views and suggestions, particularly those related to implementation of AMA policy positions, to the appropriate AMA leadership, governing body, or executive staff.
     
   • Advocate constituent views within the House of Delegates or other governance unit, including the executive staff.
     
   • Attend and report highlights of House of Delegates meetings to constituents, for example, at hospital medical staff, county, state, and specialty society meetings.
     
   • Serve as an advocate for patients to improve the health of the public and the health care system.
     
   • Cultivate promising leaders for all levels of organized medicine and help them gain leadership positions.
     
   • Actively recruit new AMA members and help retain current members.
     
   • Participate in the AMA Membership Outreach Program.

Last updated: Jun 27, 2005