SPA President’s Message - December, 2009
Submitted by Brenda Bray, MPH, SPA President
Membership Dues Increase and Other Changes Ahead as SPA Adjusts to Financial Challenges
As I mentioned at the SPA Annual Awards Banquet on November 4th, it has been an honor and privilege to serve this great organization as your president for the past two years. SPA continues to be a viable organization with a strong membership base (over 350!) at a time when small professional pharmacy groups across our state and country are struggling. The SPA Board of Directors has worked hard to uphold the mission of our organization which focuses on three areas:
- provision of timely, quality continuing education for our members
- maximizing our profession’s contribution to patient care
- increasing the awareness of the pharmacist’s contribution to patient care and to the health care system
In order for SPA to effectively sustain the mission and remain financially sound into the future, the Board had determined that changes must be made in the coming year. The most significant change will be an increase in the annual membership dues as outlined below.
Annual Membership Dues Change (effective January 1, 2010):
- Pharmacists $50.00 (currently $40.00)
- Technicians $25.00 (currently $20.00)
- Student Pharmacists $10.00 (currently no dues)
- Student Technicians $10.00 (currently no dues)
The $10.00 dues increase will be used to help cover operational expenses of the organization including maintenance of the SPA website (www.spokanepharmacy.org) and delivery of the SPA Drug Alert System. Five dollars from each member’s dues will continue to fund the Marguerite Villars Scholarship Fund which is awarded annually to a deserving student pharmacist. Members who join or renew during December will be subject to the current rates.
The financial support for our monthly Continuing Education events is another area which will likely undergo significant change in the coming year. Historically, SPA has been able to obtain unrestricted educational grants from the pharmaceutical industry which has been used to provide excellent speakers and topics (of our choice), as well as delicious meals. Due to dramatic policy changes within the pharmaceutical industry, we no longer are able to readily access support for such educational events. As a matter of fact, two speakers from the fall CE programs agreed to forgo the customary honorarium for their presentations due to our inability to obtain funding.
While nothing has been decided yet, the Board is actively exploring alternatives which include the following possibilities: fewer completely funded events during the year (4 instead of 8), a “shared cost” model for other events which could involve a charge for the event, more casual venues and/or food. We will keep you informed as the details are worked out.
Despite the challenges that lie ahead with finances and funding for CE, I am hopeful about SPA’s future. We are strong because of the pharmacists, technicians and students who form our membership. We are strong because of a dedicated Board of Directors who works hard to make sound decisions for the organization. And finally, we are strong because what unites us is our commitment to patient care and to our profession. With all of these strengths, we will only get better!
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to assisting the in-coming president and board in the coming year as past-president. Happy Holidays!
