The mission of the IPTA Unity Committee is to encourage unity within the physical therapy profession.
Objectives:
- Increase participation within IPTA membership, leadership, and the profession in a manner that recognizes the unique strengths and perspectives of all individuals.
- Work to address barriers that impact entry into the profession and affect unity within the profession.
- Promote personal, professional, and societal accountability in the fair and equitable treatment of all individuals.
Action Plan:
- Assist in the recruitment and retention of PTs, PTAs, SPTs, and SPTAs to be IPTA members by:
- Collaborating with iMAP to diversify the mentor pool.
- Creating resources for foreign trained therapists coming to Illinois to practice.
- Assisting the Nominating Committees in recruiting members for leadership roles within the Chapter.
- Increase awareness of physical therapy as a profession for IL citizens in economic and educationally disadvantaged parts of our state by:
- Providing presentations to middle school and high school students in schools serving economically disadvantaged populations.
- Promote providing pro bono PT support for recreational sports programs in economically challenged parts of our state.
- Create and share a resource list of books, articles, podcasts, and documentaries that individuals can use to:
- Empower all community members to recognize the unique strengths of each individual and how working together strengthens our ability to provide physical therapy in Illinois.
- Create educational opportunities for the PT community on determinants of health/health injustices and how to combat them.
Accountability
The committee is accountable to the Board of Directors.
Constituency
The chair and members are to be appointed by the President and approved by the Board. Colleen Flannery will serve as the staff liaison to the committee. The President will appoint a Board member to serve as the Board Champion and liaison between the committee and Board.
The committee may seek input from others within and outside of the APTA as needed to complete their tasks.
Resources:
Funds needed will be requested with justification and submitted to the IPTA President. Additional resources should be requested through the assigned staff member (space, staff support, funds, information, etc). A response to the request (approval or options) will be provided within 48 hours.
Meetings:
The committee will determine the number, frequency, location/format of meetings. The Chair of the committee is responsible for preparing meeting agendas, assigning responsibilities, tracking progress and completion of tasks, and preparing interim reports to the Board as requested. The Chair will work with the assigned IPTA staff member to prepare and distribute materials in advance of each meeting.
Records:
The committee will appoint a member to keep meeting notes. Meeting notes and all related documents will become part of the IPTA Archives.