Dear colleagues:
A month ago, the AAAAI Board of Directors convened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to discuss proposed activities, move projects forward and monitor the progress of the AAAAI 2006-2009 Strategic Plan.
Over the course of the weekend, a number of important topics were addressed and decisions were made that I want to share with you:
- Recognizing the importance of leadership at the grass-roots level, the Board was pleased to grant approval for the establishment of the RSLAAIS Leadership Award.
- In the past, the RSL's have conducted yearly forums with sponsorship from the pharmaceutical industry. A few months ago, this funding was eliminated for 2008. Nevertheless, this year's RSL Forum will proceed as usual, with funding approved by the AAAAI Board of Directors.
- Global networking and alliances are increasingly important to the specialty and to providing optimal patient care. To that end, the Board voted to continue the International eMembership and eFellowship pilot program, as well as continue to offer discounted Annual Meeting registration for members and Fellows from developing nations. Additionally, the AAAAI will continue its involvement in the WHO Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) initiative.
- Establishment of a "Communications Officer" for each of the Interest Sections. This representative will bridge the gap between Interest Section expertise and information and the AAAAI Web site and other methods for communicating with peers and the public.
- Significant discussion was given to the concept of extending AAAAI voting privileges beyond Fellows to include Members. A motion to amend the bylaws to reflect this concept will be made and voted on by the Fellows at the 2009 Annual Meeting.
The three Divisions of the Board of Directors-Education, Practice & Policy, and Research & Training met individually at the Board meeting to discuss committee activities and requests, and to make recommendations to the full Board.
- Budgetary approval was given to support the following:
- Redesign of the NAB Station Count display
- The 2009 Association of Asthma Educators National Asthma Educator Certification Review Course
- Allied Health Travel Scholarships and the Allied Health Professionals Assembly Travel Awards for the 2009 Annual Meeting
- 2009 Military Allergy/Immunology Program coinciding with the 2009 Annual Meeting
- Creation and publication of the 6th Edition of the Primer, to be published in 2010
- 2009 Chrysalis Project, introducing promising medical students to the specialty
- 2009 International Travel Scholarships
- Over $1 million in research and training grants for 2009
Approval was also granted for the Food Allergy Initiative to join the ranks of official AAAAI lay organizations.
The decisions made at this and every Board meeting start as pertinent discussions within committees, assemblies and Interest Sections. If you were a part of the grass-roots level in the progress made at this Board meeting, thank you. If you want to play a role, you can start today by becoming involved in the myriad of opportunities available through the AAAAI.
Sincerely,
Hugh A. Sampson, MD, FAAAAI
AAAAI President
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