The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is comprised of members with interest or expertise in state legislative or regulatory affairs and includes liaisons from the BOC, BOD and NATA Staff. The group oversees the association’s state governmental relations and regulatory efforts and advocates for state regulation favorable to athletic training.
The chair will begin shadowing the current chair upon being appointed. The 2-year term will officially begin June 2027 with the option to renew for one additional 2-year term, ending in 2031.
Duties:
1. Serve as a resource on the governmental affairs process and support member activities pertaining to state regulation of athletic training.
2. Work with federal, state and local regulatory bodies to facilitate regulations and laws compatible with athletic training.
Qualifications:
1. United States Citizen
2. NATA member in good standing
3. BOC certified
4. National Provider Identification (NPI) Number
5. Current license in good standing in state(s) of practice.
6. Interest in state governmental affairs and regulation.
7. Previous service on state level governmental affairs committee.
8. Previous service on state athletic training regulatory board.
Expectations:
1. Attendance at the JCM and NATA Annual Meeting throughout term. Both meetings require pre-meeting collection of state reports for review by the committee during the meeting.
2. Planning GAC Conference calls throughout the year.
3. Openly debate issues with respect and rapport without making personal attacks.
4. Attendance and reporting of NATA GAC activities is encouraged at district and state meetings whenever possible.
5. Participate in the annual Volunteer Experience survey.
6. Always Represent the NATA and GAC committee in a positive and supportive manner.
7. Support in a positive manner all actions taken by the committee, even when the member disagrees with such actions.
8. Uphold the NATA Code of Ethics and Policies and Procedures as they pertain to the committee.
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 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.