The EMRA Representative Council passed a whopping 16 resolutions at its spring meeting in Orlando, tackling topics ranging from electronic and remote voting (now approved for the EMRA Rep Council) to social medicine issues such as equitable coverage, prison reform, and more.
Let's keep the momentum going – write a resolution for the fall meeting! Resolutions are due Sept. 15 (unless you're proposing a bylaws change, in which case it's due Sept. 8).
A Powerful Privilege
Resolutions shape EMRA's policy direction — and writing them is among the most fundamental ways for members to affect the specialty. While the language of a resolution may seem stilted, it's a simple process when you understand the elements.
What is a Resolution?
A resolution is a directive for EMRA to take a certain action, form a policy, or embrace a stance. Any EMRA member can write a resolution on any topic related to emergency medicine. Resolutions can be submitted by individuals or groups.
Spring 2017 Resolutions
The 16 resolutions adopted by the EMRA Representative Council in May 2017 include:
- Inclusion of Electronic and Remote Voting in the EMRA Representative Council Procedures
- Resolution in Support of Comprehensive Access to Quality Medical Care
- Health Disparities
- Coverage for Vulnerable Populations
- Pharmaceutical Strengthening: Improving Delivery in the ED
- Ensuring the Highest Level of Patient Care Within Our Countries' Hospital Emergency Departments, No Matter the Location
- Support for Infrastructure and Regulations Related to Freestanding EDs and Care Coordination
- Systems-Building for Critical Illness and Injury: Improving Bystander Intervention in Out-of-Hospital Critical Illness and Injury
- Support for Telemedicine in EM
- The Value of Electronic Health Information Exchange and Interoperability
- Emergency Medicine Training to Address Social Determinants of Health
- Emergency Medicine to Support Evidence-Based Policy Reforms of the Criminal Justice System
- Support for International Physicians and Their Practice in the United States
- EMRA Support for Paid Equal Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Resolution in Support of Protecting Access to Women's Health, Reproductive Health, and Organizations that Provide Increased Health Access to Women
- Mental Health and Emergency Medicine
How are Resolutions Structured?
Basic elements of every resolution include:
- Title
- Author(s)
- “Whereas” clause(s)
- “Resolved” clause(s)
- References
- Relevant EMRA policy (noted by Speaker of the Council)
- Fiscal notes (noted by Speaker or by EMRA staff)
“Whereas” clauses persuasively explain why EMRA should address your topic and support your “Resolved” clauses. Use “Whereas” statements to describe and quantify the problem you're addressing, or to justify why policy is needed. Back it up with facts!
“Resolved” clauses will be voted on by the Representative Council — making these the most important part of your resolution. Each “Resolved” clause must contain an actionable request and must make sense when read alone, since that's the part of your document that will become EMRA policy. Be as clear and direct as possible.
When's This Due?
Resolutions are due 45 days before each Representative Council meeting — so if you're writing one for the fall meeting, get it ready by Sept. 15. (Note: EMRA accounts for emergency resolutions after the deadlines)
Send resolutions to speaker@emra.org and emra@emra.org. We're waiting to see what direction you want to go!
Questions?
Please contact speaker@emra.org or visit emra.org/leadership/Representative-Council for more details, links, and a resolution template.