Medical transcriptionists are working this month on deciding how to vote in the ongoing voting process that will significantly restructure their professional association, AHDI. It’s sometimes confusing, sometimes we’re just not sure even why change things, and sometimes there are those who haven’t been involved long enough to really know much of the history of how things got to where we are today. I was talking with a friend of mine this week, and she had some real information to add on the history, so today we have a guest post.

Pat Forbis is a past president of AAMT (now AHDI), twice even. I first met Pat when I was a brand new leader in the association and she was my board contact. It is Pat who taught me to apply the phrase “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” It was also Pat who was one of my mentors when I came onto the AAMT board of directors (she had by then moved into a staff role). I was really green and learned so much from her. Pat was also a member, and eventually the chair, of the Commission for Representative Governance, which is the committee that worked many years ago to establish the AHDI House of Delegates. She has authored several books and articles, and is the person who did the Willie Getwell series that some of you may be familiar with about proofreading. Pat is also a person who always says she will go to her grave standing up for medical transcriptionists, and I sure believe she will do just that. Here are some thoughts she’d like to share with you. Over to Pat!

An AHDI History Lesson

I’ve read with interest your recent blogs and feel compelled to share some thoughts.

The loss of the house of delegates (HOD) will silence the only voice an association member has. Don’t buy the double-speak that creating a so-called National Leadership Board (NLB) will be an adequate substitute; it will not. Be aware that Roberts Rules of Order does not recognize a governing body titled NLB. Neither do corporation codes. The governing body of a corporation, a for-profit organization and a nonprofit association is appropriately titled the board of directors. Where was the parliamentarian during the NLB discussion??

The original bylaws (1979) of the original association, AAMT, contained a section for a house of delegates. It was so early in the association’s existence that there weren’t enough members to warrant the creation of an HOD. In the very early 1980s, the board of directors voted to remove that section from those bylaws. Their decision was based on their belief that the board knew best what members need; after all, they were all MTs. There was a problem with that decision, however. Because there was no HOD, members were required to vote on such a change. In other words, the board believed they knew best what the other members needed and wanted.

A past AAMT president and a few other members confronted the board with a petition that demanded that the section be returned to the bylaws. This small group was sworn to secrecy by the board while they took the matter under advisement. One of the petitioners refused to allow it to be swept under the rug. Instead, she made a phone call that ultimately led to an emergent “expanded” bylaws meeting. The year was 1982. The room was standing room only. At the front were board and staff members, an attorney and a parliamentarian. Enthusiasm was palpable and discussion lively.

From that meeting, the Commission for Representative Governance was created and for two years, committee members from throughout the US worked hard to create a house of delegates, a house in which delegates selected by members would represent the voices of members in their locales. They would come together to discuss issues and proposed bylaws amendments. They would share information and collect pertinent data that would result in a vote.

The role of a house of delegates is to set the direction of an association based on the needs of members. The role of a board of directors is to find a way for the mandates set forth by the house to be reached, reporting findings and progress. The board is ultimately fiscally responsible for the association so this often presents challenges. Unfortunately, the current house of delegates has not operated in this way. I believe it can be fixed but it will require members to be actively involved.

And now It’s Up to You

I’d like to thank Pat for sharing a bit of history that I really wasn’t around to experience. While I don’t think any of us want or need to live in the past, I do think it helps to understand the history of things so we don’t repeat mistakes of the past.

Many of you are pondering your vote on the proposed structure for our organization. I encourage you to do your homework, be sure you understand it, ask questions, and then cast your vote. I heard this week that some have delegates asking them to vote NOW and vote YES. It’s really not their place. This is YOUR vote, YOUR voice, and only you can decide what’s best. I would presume to tell you how to vote, and as you know haven’t shared my own vote on this blog. I WILL tell you that’s it’s important to cast your vote and make it heard. This week has certainly shown that medical transcriptionists want to have a voice, want to be represented, and want things to change. It’s up to you to decide what works for YOU in that mix.

On a personal note, I am moving this week so if responses are slow, please know I’m reading and I WILL respond. It just might take a little longer than normal.

Let’s hear from you. If you have thoughts to share or questions, now’s the time!