Hello DCOTA!

As we are preparing to head to New Orleans, LA, I wanted to update you all on what took place at our Fall Meeting in November, as we head to our Spring Meeting this week. 

Summary of the RA Fall Online Meeting November 5–12, 2018

The Representative Assembly (RA) met online from November 5–12, 2018. There was a request to suspend the rule (#10) requiring RA members with voice and no vote to post “voice/no vote” each time they engaged (posted) in debate. The motion to suspend this rule was defeated, and the Rules of the Day were adopted as originally posted. 

The outcome of voting on action items included in the meeting agenda was as follows: 

Motion to Update Policy E.6 Entry-Level Education of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants: Postponed. A motion to postpone action until Spring 2019 was adopted following discussion that additional information was needed prior to making a decision on the educational point of entry. 

Approval of Dual-Entry of Practice for OT and OTA Education (Ad Hoc Committee):Adopted. This motion will establish an ad hoc committee to gather information to adequately inform members of the RA in order to discuss and vote on educational point of entry for the OT and OTA. 

Survey to Obtain Data as to Level of Constituent Support of Entry Level: Adopted. This motion requires that the Speaker request the Board of Directors to authorize a survey regarding level of support from stakeholders for a single point of education entry for the OT and OTA. 

Preparing for the Faculty Workforce of the Future:Adopted. This motion will establish an ad hoc committee to examine the current and future OT and OTA faculty workforce for the purpose of making a fully informed decision about the capacity of delivering entry-level education at the OTD level and baccalaureate level. 

Motion to Modify Article III Section 4 of the Official Bylaws of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. Related to Conditions for Membership Revocation: Defeated. This motion was defeated following discussion that it was important to maintain a fair process of membership termination that includes the right of the member to present evidence to protect her or himself. 

The meeting was adjourned at 3:01 pm on November 12, 2018. 

At our Spring 2019 Meeting beginning on Wednesday afternoon and ending Thursday afternoon, we will be taking on the following (3) motions: 

·     Motion 1: A Motion to Update Policy E.6 Entry-Level Education of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Secure/Governance/RA/2019-spring-meeting/Motion1_Update_PolicyE6_Entry_Level_Edu.pdf

·     Motion 2: A Motion to Update Policy E.6 Entry-Level Education of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Secure/Governance/RA/2019-spring-meeting/Motion2_Policy_Rec_vs_Mand_Edu_Levels.pdf

·     Motion 3: A Motion to Update Policy E.6 Entry-Level Education of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Secure/Governance/RA/2019-spring-meeting/Motion3_OTA_Edu_and_Prac_Expansion.pdf

Feel free to send me any questions or concerns regarding those motions. After the meeting adjourns, I will send out an update on the conclusion of these motions. 

I look forward to seeing you all in New Orleans! 

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Alisha M. Williams, MS, OTR/L

DC RA Representative