COPE is currently seeking 1 member to join as the District 5 Representative.

The Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE) is a standing committee of NATA.  The Committee is composed of 27 representatives: 11 district-based members, 11 non-district-based members, and 5 at-large members. The role of COPE is to ensure enforcement of the NATA Code of Ethics, Membership Standards, Eligibility Requirements, and Membership Sanctions and Procedures.

Committee members fulfill the charge of the committee under the direction of the committee chair.  This involves attending meetings, participating in virtual conference calls, completing work assignments and remaining up-to-date on events and circumstances affecting the committee. (NATA COPE Guidelines and Procedures). The Chair of the Committee will appoint appropriate subcommittees and panels as described in the Guidelines as are necessary to conduct the Committee’s responsibilities.

The Committee on Professional Ethics is responsible for:

●       Addressing complaints of alleged violations of the NATA Code of Ethics and Memberships Standards

●       Periodically reviewing and recommending changes in the NATA Code of Ethics and Membership Standards, as well as procedures for processing and adjudicating complaints

●       Educating the membership as to the NATA Code of Ethics and Membership Standards, as well as procedures for adjudicating complaints against members

●       Responding to requests for interpretations of the NATA Code of Ethics and  Membership Standards

●       Ensuring that the NATA Code of Ethics and Membership Standards, as well as the complaint process, are not in conflict with any federal or state laws, rules and regulations, or any policies of the NATA

●       Attending conferences and meetings, virtual and/or in-person, throughout the term

Application/Election:

●       Must submit application via Gather

●       Interview with District Director, COPE Chair, COPE Board of Director Liaison and/or NATA Staff Liaison    

●       Appointed by District Director    

Qualifications:

●       Certified or Certified Retired Member in good standings with NATA, COPE and BOC

●        Residing in District 5

●        Be in possession of an NPI number

●        Experience within the athletic training profession

●        Demonstrates a high level of personal and professional integrity, trustworthiness, ethics and values through upholding the NATA Code of Ethics, NATA Membership Standards and all Professional Standards (BOC, State Licensure, etc.)

●        Ability to handle difficult situations and information while exercising good judgment    

●        Ability to operate and access Dropbox, Zoom, Zoom Chat, and Adobe. 

Commitment & Expectations:

●        Serve a 1 yr. term, renewable 3 times

●       Must provide in writing to the COPE Chair, Staff Liaison of an intent to resign – if possible, request a 3-month advance notice)

●       Engagement and attendance at COPE meetings (excused for extenuating circumstances – family emergency, chronic illness)

●        Participate in case and committee conference calls and meetings

●        Commitment to devote the necessary time and energy to committee work

●       Complete assigned tasks efficiently and thoroughly

●        Willing to work as part of a dedicated team

●       Collaborate and communicate in a timely manner with fellow panel members, committee chair, and staff liaison

●        Have no conflict of interest with any other committees or duties

●        Abide by confidential nature of the process

●       Ability to remain objective as information is gathered in adjudication process

●        Willing to professionally navigate uncomfortable situations and case materials

Expectations of all Committee Members:

●       Communicate with the chair, including promptly informing the chair of any scheduling conflicts or contact information changes.

●       Communicate with the member's 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 a personal agenda.

●       Complete all assignments within the 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 the committee in a positive and supportive manner at all times.

●       Support in a positive manner all actions taken by the committee, even when the member disagrees with such actions.

●       Uphold the NATA Code of Ethics and Policies and Procedures as they pertain to the committee.

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.)

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.

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.