Title: A Successful Mid-Year Meeting!

Author:

Section/SPIG: HIV/AIDS

Issue Date:

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The Leadership Group of the HIV/AIDS Section held a very successful Mid-year Meeting on March 22 and 23, 2004, at APHA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Thirteen members were in attendance, with other members participating via conference call. Members attending included:

Mike Case - Chair-elect and Chair, Nominating Committee;
George Clifford - Treasurer and Resource Development Chair;
Richard Conviser - Immediate Past Chair;
Susan Fulmer - Chair;
Kathye Gorosh - Action Board Representative and Representative to the Joint Policy Committee;
Angela Powell - Section Council, Policy Committee Chair, and Representative to Governing Council;
Scott Rhodes - Section Council and Program Chair for 2005;
David Rosenstein - Representative to Governing Council;
Scott Smith - Program Chair;
Stephanie Taylor - Section Council;
Ron Valdiserri - Representative to Governing Council;
April Winningham - Secretary and Communications Chair; and
Brenda Woods-Francis - Section Council and Bylaws/Operational Policy Chair.

The two-day meeting offered opportunities for the Leadership Group to dialogue with APHA staff. Dr. Georges Benjamin met with the Leadership Group, as did Barbara Reck (Membership), Fran Atkinson (Section Affairs), Don Hoppert (Federal and Congressional Affairs), Lakitia Mayo (Grassroots Advocacy and Affiliate Affairs), Kim Krisberg (The Nation's Health), and Alan Baker (Chief of Staff). In addition to reports from Section committees, discussions were held on a number of topics, including but not limited to: Section involvement and growth, collaboration with other sections and organizations, advocacy, proposed policies, resource development, outreach, the Annual Meeting and its program, meetings and events, and budgetary issues.

On Monday, March 22, the Leadership Group hosted a Policy Issues and Collaboration Luncheon, with special guests Dr. Judy Auerbach (Vice President for Public Policy, amfAR; formerly with NIH), Kate Smith (Assistant Director for Public Policy, SIECUS), Ann Lefert (Public Policy Associate, NASTAD), and Don Hoppert (Director of Federal and Congressional Affairs, APHA). The group discussed a number of current and upcoming issues that Section members may want to know about and advocate for, including but not limited to: CARE Act reauthorization in 2005; comprehensive health education; support for sexuality research; ADAP funding; and utilizing conferences as necessary opportunities to disseminate research findings. All in attendance agreed the meeting and discussion were beneficial and that opportunities for continuing collaboration should be pursued.

The Mid-year Meeting proved to be an important opportunity for face-to-face dialogue between the members of the Section Leadership Group, APHA staff, and organizations with whom we hope to continue collaborative relationships.