Resolution: S-21-04: CREATION OF A NATIONAL PRE-SOMA STANDING COMMITTEE

[Valerie Lile]

WHEREAS, currently, the Junior and Senior Pre-SOMA Directors  are the sole managers of all Pre-SOMA activities, including social media, convention and event planning, chapter and membership drives, mentorship program, partnership advertisement, website development, and newsletter creation; and

WHEREAS, the roles and responsibilities of the Junior Pre-SOMA Director are to manage Pre-SOMA chapters and institute new chapters, contribute to social media posting, communicate with Pre-SOMA Chapter Leaders, create and manage the Pre-SOMA Liaison Database, and contribute to National Pre-SOMA Programming; and

WHEREAS, the roles and responsibilities of the Senior Pre-SOMA Director are to communicate with organizations such as American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO),  the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and all other future stakeholders; to establish and maintain partnerships that benefit Pre-SOMA members; to contribute to social media; to develop advertisements for all Pre-SOMA activities, including annual conventions and other events; and to lead the membership drive and the mentorship program; and,

WHEREAS, there are currently 42 active Pre-SOMA chapters; and,

WHEREAS, the growth in the number of Pre-SOMA chapters and the development of new projects, such as a monthly newsletter and an ongoing mentorship program, has created a need for additional support; and,

WHEREAS, there is support amongst the National Board of Trustees and National Board of Directors regarding this role being too broad for two Directors to fulfill successfully; and,

WHEREAS, current goals of National Pre-SOMA, including expansion of reach of National Pre-SOMA, by means of recruitment of more undergraduate students, would require the delegation of duties to a Pre-SOMA Standing Committee; and,

WHEREAS, the continuity of growth and engagement of Pre-SOMA year to year can be facilitated by the establishment of a Standing Committee; and,

WHEREAS, the creation of a Standing Committee for Pre-SOMA is not predicted to place any financial burden on SOMA; and,

WHEREAS, the objective of the Pre-SOMA Standing Committee is to carry out the existing activities of National Pre-SOMA on a larger scale, with the goal of increasing reach, membership, and resources to pre-medical students. These activities include but are not limited to: strengthening Pre-SOMA’s social media presence, maintenance of the mentorship program, membership and recruitment, the establishment of new chapters, leadership development, and valuable programming development and execution, including innovative virtual and in-person programming. Composed of both medical students and pre-medical students from a variety of regions in the United States and led by a Chairperson selected by the SOMA President, the Standing Committee will ensure the continuity of the recently instituted mentorship program, and explore ways to ensure the consistent growth and expansion of Pre-SOMA on the local and national levels. and,

WHEREAS, the Standing Committee shall be composed of both medical students from SOMA and pre-medical students from Pre-SOMA within a variety of regions in the United States and led by a Chairperson selected by the SOMA President; and,

WHEREAS, per National SOMA bylaws Article IX Section 1: “The Standing Committees of SOMA shall be created by resolutions submitted to and approved by the House of Delegates. Job description and responsibilities of a Committee Chairperson are to be approved by a simple majority of the Board of Trustees,” therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that SOMA establishes a Pre-SOMA Standing Committee.

Submitted by:
Amanda Buzzetta, OMS III, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Clara Hofman, OMS IV, Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Emily Chin, OMS IV, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn

Action Taken:

Date:

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