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AMA-MSS Resolution Writing Resources

Thank you for your interest in the AMA-MSS policy-making process. The following resources will guide you through the process of writing a relevant, high-quality AMA-MSS Resolution.

 

Resolution Writing Guide

Effective policy is focused, flexible, and forward-looking. Take some time to learn what makes a strong resolution by reviewing the AMA-MSS Resolution Writing Guide.

Resolution and Policy Making Procedures Forum and Conference Call

During the 2012 Interim Meeting, the MSS Assembly adopted GC Report A-I-12, which called for the Governing Council to convene a taskforce to study potential improvements in MSS policy-making procedures. 

In order to ensure a final process that is representative of the collective interests of membership, the Governing Council has created an online forum and a conference call all allow all MSS members to offer thoughts on the MSS policy-making procedures.

  • Online Forum
  • Additional conference call information and call-in numbers will be posted soon.

Resolution Alternatives

Before you write a resolution:

Writing a resolution can be an excellent way to accomplish a wide range of goals, from asking the AMA-MSS or AMA to support a broad idea to asking the AMA-MSS or AMA to take a specific action. However, writing a resolution is not always the most effective way to accomplish your goal. Before writing your resolution, please take a few minutes to learn more about some resolution alternatives that might better address your ultimate goal.

Resolution Writing Webinar

On March 25, 2012, the MSS Delegate and Alternate Delegate hosted a Resolution Writing Webinar in which they provided a step-by-step overview of MSS policy-making, some helpful tips on how to write a high-quality resolution, and a description of the recently updated MSS resolution submission process. 

2013 Annual Meeting Deadlines - tentative


April 19, 2013:

  • Deadline to submit resolution drafts to Terrence Cunnningham, MSS Staff Policy Analyst.  Your resolution will subsequently be posted to a forum that will allow MSS Delegates, MSS-HCC members, and MSS delegates to offer suggestions related to your resolution.
  • Deadline to complete all tasks and submit the MSS Resolution Checklist.
May 4, 2013:
  • Deadline to submit final draft of resolution to Terrence Cunnningham, MSS Staff Policy Analyst.
  • Deadline to submit background documents for inclusion in MSS Reference Committee background book (optional but highly recommended).

Resolution Template

Please note that all AMA-MSS resolutions must be written and submitted on the AMA-MSS resolution template.

Resolution Checklist

2012 Interim Meeting Resolution Checklist

While writing and editing your resolution, it is imperative that you share your work with your fellow medical students and other AMA members. Revision of your resolution based on this peer review will improve the quality and relevance of your resolution and could ultimately improve its chances of being adopted and successfully implemented.

The AMA-MSS Resolution Checklist outlines a series of tasks, including seeking peer review, that resolution authors must complete prior to submission of their resolutions. Specifically:

  • All resolution authors are required to send drafts of their resolutions to AMA-MSS Staff by September 15th (two weeks before the final resolution deadline).  The resolutions will be posted to an online collection so that other medical students can review and comment. We highly recommend that you take these comments under consideration and work with AMA-MSS leaders and subject-matter experts to improve your resolution.
  • In addition to peer review, resolution authors are required to contact AMA-MSS chapter, state, or region leaders about their resolutions. If your resolution will eventually be forwarded to the AMA House of Delegates (i.e. if it asks the AMA as a whole, not just the AMA Medical Student Section to do something), you are also required to contact the physicians who represent your state in the HOD as well as the physcians who represent relevant medical specialty societies.

Regional Delegate Contact Information

In accordance with the resolution checklist, authors are required to contact their regional delegates about their resolutions.  Please see the Regional Delegate List for contact information.

Have a Question? (MSS Delegates and Staff Contact Information)

Questions?

We're here to help! Please contact any of the following with questions about any aspect of the MSS resolution or policy-making process: