The Council on Practice Advancement (COPA) is collecting applications for its subcommittees on an ongoing basis in order to fill upcoming openings as well as unplanned vacancies, and assist the committees in short-term projects.
This settings-based council is comprised of members who represent a variety of settings within our ten committees housed in the Council of Practice Advancement. These ten committees include: Armed Forces, Rehabilitation Clinic, Health Care Administration, Occupational, Performing Arts, Physician Practice, Private and Emerging Practice, Public Safety, Community Outreach and Analytics and Outcomes. The mission of COPA is to represent the professional practice settings of athletic training by increasing awareness, demonstrating value and assisting in efforts to expand and advance the profession.
The COPA Rehabilitation/Clinic Panel is seeking to fill two positions, one with the term beginning upon appointment and one with the term beginning June 2026. Interested candidates should provide their CV, NPI number and a statement of interest.
Interested candidates should either possess clinical experience within rehabilitation/clinic practice, or, serve as a subject matter expert within the field with at least five years experience. It is highly recommended to elaborate on this experience in your letter of interest and within the application questions.
If selected, this position is a one-year term, renewable three times.
In addition to general expectations of all NATA committee members, all volunteers must be certified or certified-retired NATA members in good standing with an NPI number.
Additional Scope of Work:
- Make every effort to attend on-line meetings, conference calls and the annual in-person meeting in conjunction with the NATA Clinical Symposia and AT Expo and the Joint Committee Meeting, if applicable.
- Communicate with my chair, including promptly informing the chair of any scheduling conflicts or contact information changes.
- Communicate with my district director about the committee’s progress.
- Contribute to discussions at scheduled meetings, having read the agenda and all background support materials relevant to the meeting. Display courteous conduct at all meetings.
- Openly debate issues with respect and rapport, without making personal attacks.
- Promote what is best for the entire committee and for the profession, not my personal agenda.
- Complete all assignments within time frames established by the committee chair.
- Serve as project or workgroup leader if assigned by the chair.
- Participate in the annual Volunteer Experience survey.
- Represent the NATA and my committee in a positive and supportive manner at all times.
- Avoid conflicts of interest between my position as an NATA volunteer and my personal and professional life. When necessary, declare a conflict of interest and abstain from both the discussion and voting of any matter in which I have a personal or business interest. (A conflict of interest is defined as any social, professional or economic relationship with individuals or the matter at hand that could affect my judgment and result in an outcome that might not reflect the best interests of the NATA and/or my committee.)
- Support in a positive manner all actions taken by the committee, even when I disagree with such actions.
- Uphold the NATA Code of Ethics
- Cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment
- Contribute towards providing programming, research and resources to support cultural competency and ensure athletic trainers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to better serve diverse populations.
- Ensure that the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and access are embedded in continuing education, conferences, communications, and the work of the association.
- Examine processes, policies, practices, communications, structures and barriers with an equity lens to promote authentic engagement, access, and inclusion of diverse individuals.
- Increase transparency and accountability on diversity, equity, inclusion and access by sharing data and information about the committee’s journey and commitments.
- Support and intentionally promote a diverse athletic training profession.
By accepting this position, you commit to fulfilling these responsibilities to the best of your ability and resign your position if you find you are no longer able to.
Conflict of Interest
Committee members avoid conflicts of interest between the position as an NATA volunteer and the member's personal and professional life. When necessary, members declare a conflict of interest and abstain from both the discussion and voting of any matter in which the member has a personal or business interest. (A conflict of interest is defined as any social, professional or economic relationship with individuals or the matter at hand that could affect one's judgment and result in an outcome that might not reflect the best interests of the NATA and/or the committee.)
The role of serving as a volunteer within the NATA demonstrates a distinguished level of service to the association. This policy is designed to identify, mitigate, and prevent conflicts and dualities of competing interests before they occur, ultimately protecting both the volunteer and the NATA. To ensure a rewarding experience, loyalty, dedicated service and member value, committee/council/task force members should hold no other positions on boards of directors (and/or officer) or committees, within Strategic Alliance partners from the time they begin shadowing for their NATA position until their term ends. Additionally, committee/council/task force members should hold no other volunteer positions with external athletic training or sports medicine organizations, associations, or societies (not including district or state athletic training organizations or service on a state regulatory board) from the time they begin shadowing for their NATA position until their term ends. The disclosure form and commitment to serve agreement must be submitted as part of the application for this position.
In the event a conflict of interest arises during the Member’s term of service, the volunteer must immediately disclose the conflict to the Volunteer Engagement Manager for review by the NATA Board of Directors to determine the timing of a succession plan. The Board may determine immediate resignation, resignation at the end of December or resignation/completion of term at the end of June. Additional exceptions may be considered by the NATA Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.
Intellectual Property
Work and materials developed, created or written—as a committee, work group, or board member, or in any other volunteer capacity for NATA—shall be deemed work-for-hire under copyright, intellectual property, and other laws. NATA is granted sole and exclusive ownership of all such work. Committee members waive all claims and/or so-called “moral rights” to the work, and assign these rights to NATA.
Confidentiality
In connection with your participation, you will be required to agree to a confidentiality agreement as part of your service to the Association.
NATA and its committees, councils and commissions are committed to represent, engage and foster the continued growth and development of the athletic training profession and athletic trainers as unique health care providers. To advance the mission and promote unparalleled delivery of athletic training services amid ever-growing global and diverse populations, NATA and its committees, councils and commissions embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and access as a leadership imperative for our association. All NATA members are welcomed and encouraged to serve on the association’s committees, councils, commissions, etc., as diverse backgrounds, experiences and knowledge help advance the profession and work of NATA