The mission of the Council on Practice Advancement (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. This settings based council is comprised of members who represent a variety of settings within our ten panels housed in the Council of Practice Advancement. These ten panels 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 council Vice Chair would begin shadowing upon appointment; the official term would begin at the June 2025 Convention and end June 2027, with option for renewal through June 2029.
Qualifications
1. NATA member in good standing
2. National Provider Identification (NPI) Number
Though not a requirement, members of COPA and previous chairs of COPA panels are highly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
• Assist the Chair to fulfill the charge of the committee under the direction of the Board.
• Attend all monthly Council meetings, Joint Committee Meeting and NATA Committee Day
• Attend weekly COPA Leadership calls
• In coordination with the Chair, attend selected monthly Panel meetings to provide COPA leadership support to the Panel
• Lead meetings or interviews in the absence of the Chair
• Coordinate and support efforts of districts and states to develop a COPA committee structure within their associations
• Lead and/or support projects and initiatives as assigned by the Chair
• Complete work assignments within time frames established
• Remain up-to-date on events and circumstances affecting the committee and those it serves.
• Contribute to discussions at scheduled meetings, having read the agenda and all background support materials relevant to the meeting.
• Openly debate issues without making personal attacks.
• Promote what is best for the entire council and for the profession, not the member's personal agenda.
• Participate in the annual Volunteer Experience survey.
• Represent the NATA in a positive and supportive manner at all times.
• Avoid conflicts of interest between one's position as an NATA volunteer and one's personal and professional life. When necessary, 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 the volunteer's judgment and result in an outcome that might not reflect the best interests of the NATA
• Support mission/purpose of COPA and additional workgroups within the council to ensure work continues to align with NATA's overall strategic plan.
Additional Scope of Work
1. Assist the chair to define and communicate clear goals for the council and set a plan for achieving those goals.
2. Assist the chair to plan for and lead regular 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.
3. Communicate regularly with my members, board liaison and staff liaison.
4. Follow the timeline and procedure for the annual committee member appointment/renewal process.
5. Support in a positive manner all actions taken by the council and association, even when I disagree with such actions.
6. Uphold the NATA Code of Ethics
7. 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.
8. Expectations and ongoing projects for the NATA Council and/or its subgroups include: Serve as a resource to the NATA BOD, committees, councils, districts, staff and membership.
Governance and Decision-Making:
• The chair would govern the council with the support of the vice chair. The chair will be supported by a Vice Chair who will serve as chair in their leave. The chair, vice chair or a designee will be invited to sit in on all committee and workgroup meetings.
• The vice chair will serve as an extension of the chair to assist with the attending of meetings with committees, councils, and other entities. The vice chair will assist with leading meetings and supporting the work of the council at the direction of the chair.
• The council will conform to the NATA decision-making processes including voting procedures or other mechanisms to ensure effective decision-making.
Reporting and Communication:
• The vice chair and all council members will report to the council chair.
• Establish mechanisms for ongoing evaluation and feedback to continuously improve the council's operations and outcomes.
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 in a leadership role within the NATA is critical to the success of the association and should be considered an esteemed achievement. 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 chairs and journal leadership should hold no other positions on boards of directors and/or officer, committees, or other volunteer positions with Strategic Alliance partners and/or 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. Exceptions include where the NATA chair position requires participation with regulatory bodies and/or other groups. Exceptions also include serving as a CAATE peer reviewer, BOC exam writer, Foundation scholarship/grant reviewer, or journal article reviewer. 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 Chair’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.