Early Professionals' Committee District 1 Representative

The Early Professionals' Committee (EPC) was created to support athletic trainers in the early stages of their career by fostering leadership, developing educational initiatives and promoting professional and ethical values. The committee addresses issues around transition to practice, creates opportunities to develop career skills and leadership development opportunities and foster professional networking and mentorship for athletic trainers in the first six years of initial certification. The District 1 representative will begin a shadowing period beginning January 2025, officially beginning their term June 2025 at the annual convention with the option to renew annually until June 2029 (pending years of certification). 

Qualifications:

1. NATA member in good standing residing in District 1
2. BOC-certified less than 6 years
3. National Provider Identification (NPI) Number

Expectations of all committee members:

1. Communicate with the chair, including promptly informing the chair of any scheduling conflicts or contact information changes.
2. Communicate with the member's district director about the committee’s progress.
3. 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.
4. Openly debate issues with respect and rapport, without making personal attacks.
5. Promote what is best for the entire committee and for the profession, not a personal agenda.
6. Complete all assignments within time frames established by the committee chair.
7. Serve as project or workgroup leader if assigned by the chair.
8. Participate in the annual Volunteer Experience survey.
9. Represent the NATA and the committee in a positive and supportive manner at all times.
10. Support in a positive manner all actions taken by the committee, even when the member disagrees with such actions.
11. 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.)

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