Board of Directors

Board meeting outcomes

In June 2021, the AOTA Board of Directors heard the recommendations from two key task forces—The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force, and the Governance Enhancement Task Force—and considered the FY2022 Operational Plan and Budget.

DEI Task Force report and strategic plan

After 18 months of outreach to the occupational therapy community, conversations with AOTA commissions and committees, review of AOTA documents, and review of work by similar organizations, the DEI Task Force submitted its DEI Strategic Plan for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in AOTA and the profession.

The Task Force identified critical values and behaviors: inclusivity, accountability, and authenticity. The Plan includes four strategic focus areas:

• Governance and accountability

• Education and awareness

• Diversifying the profession

• Language and communication

Believing that action must begin within AOTA, a key recommendation was establishing a DEI Committee reporting to the Board and guiding efforts across the Association.

Key actions: The AOTA Board approved creating a DEI Committee, to be charged with updating the DEI Strategic Plan for AOTA and assessing progress toward achieving the goals; guiding and informing the Board of Directors and other governance bodies on issues and opportunities related to DEI; and serving as ambassadors of AOTA’s DEI efforts and commitment. The committee is expected to begin its work in September.

Governance Enhancement Task Force

Associations like AOTA are addressing the need to ensure that their governance structure and processes are agile, effective, and focused on the strategic directions of the organization. AOTA began a careful review and update of its governance before COVID-19, but the pandemic and other issues reinforced the importance of this review.

The Governance Enhancement Task Force began working in late 2019 and submitted its Governance Enhancement Report on proposed changes to the governance structure and key processes. The recommendations are based on extensive member input, including multiple surveys, listening sessions, and commission/committee outreach, combined with thorough benchmarking with other professional associations.

The following are among the key recommendations from the Task Force accepted by the Board that will be considered as part of revising AOTA Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures:

• Realigning the Education, Ethics, and Practice Commissions to report to the Board of Directors (although these commissions will continue to work closely with the Representative Assembly on matters related to professional standards and policies).

• Inserting the DEI Committee Chair as a voting member of the Board of Directors.

• Granting voting rights to the President-Elect.

• Establishing an Executive Committee of the Board, to act on behalf of the Board in situations requiring immediate action.

• Sunsetting the Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures Committee (BPPC) as a standing committee to be replaced by a task force when bylaws changes are needed.

• Sunsetting the Commission on Continued Competence and Professional Development (CCCPD), with many responsibilities shifted to the Occupational Therapy Advanced Certification Commission. Issues related to continuing education and professional development will be addressed by the Education Commission.

• Moving to a single, qualified individual for committee and commission chairs, with an option to petition for additional candidates.

• Adjusting terms of service for commission/committee members from 3 to 2 years, with potential for two consecutive terms of service.

These recommendations will not take effect until revised bylaws are approved.

The Board also approved the Task Force recommendation to create an Awards and Recognition Committee. This will allow the Volunteer Leadership Development Committee (VLDC) to focus its efforts on a more inclusive and effective nomination, review, and selection process for the Board, chairpersons, and appointments to commissions and committees.

The second phase of the governance work will continue through mid-2022 and will include revision of the AOTA Bylaws, and revision and reorganization of AOTA governance, operational policies, and procedures.

Some members of the Governance Enhancement Task Force will continue to work with the BPPC, legal counsel, and staff on bylaws, policies, and procedures.

Updates on the proposed changes and opportunities for member feedback will be scheduled from fall 2021 through spring 2022.

Operational plans and budget

The Board approved the FY2022 budget as proposed, which includes $23.1 million of operating revenue, $24.1 million in operating expenses, and $1 million in other revenue for a net surplus of $2,000.

The FY2022 plans and budget include:

• Continued work on a new AOTA website to be unveiled in January 2022

• Improved digital communications

• A new value-based membership model to be introduced in early 2022

• Continued efforts on the Licensure Compact

• Developing robust continuing professional development and career planning resources

• Increased use of multiple approaches for continuing education and knowledge development

• New capacity building and practice tools

• Efforts in policy and regulatory work to address the visibility and role of occupational therapy and reimbursement for services.

FY2022 also includes a return to in-person meetings, with the addition of hybrid components to engage practitioners and students who cannot attend on site.

In addition to the operational budget, the Board approved a special initiative to develop a comprehensive professional development/career planning tool and resources. This 1-year project was approved for funds allocated from AOTA reserves, in accordance with AOTA’s finance policies.

Recognizing outgoing and incoming Board members

AOTA recognizes the contributions of its outgoing Board members:

Debra Young, Vice President
Paul Arthur, Director
Alyson Stover, Director

Incoming Board members whose service began July 1, 2021:

Alyson Stover, President-Elect
Arameh Anvarizadeh, Vice President
Brigitte Desport, Director

Board will host Town Hall series in FY2022

Over the next year, the AOTA Board will host a series of Town Hall sessions for members. Sessions will provide opportunities hear updates on key initiatives and directions, and to offer an opportunity for member input that will shape AOTA strategies. Watch for announcements about dates and areas of focus for each session.