Community Service Committee

• About the Committee
• Committee goals
• Community service resources
• National Service Project highlights

About the Committee

The MSS Community Service Committee (CSC) is dedicated to the development, promotion, and implementation of community service and advocacy programs on the local, state, and national levels. Through the next year, we will develop informational reports, programs, and resources to assist chapter and state officers in the organization and implementation of community service projects. In short, we help medical students develop and implement community service projects in their community.

Meet the 2007-2008 MSS Community Service Committee

Contact the Committee

• Chair - Xin She
• Vice Chair - Priyanka Gupta

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Committee goals

• Provide detailed information on resources and contacts for chapter-level community service projects. Update and increase awareness of the Project Ideas Handbook and NSP resources on the AMA-MSS website.
• Work with the AMA Media Relations staff to increase media coverage of the NSP and service projects
• Publicize Chapter Involvement Grants (CIG) so that each chapter can receive $1,000 of funding for programming.
• Develop a generic media press release and press guide for local chapters to utilize to help publicize local events.
• Work with each medical school in the MSS to develop a year long health care access program for the coming year, including at least two events on each campus related to access. One event should be a service project in line with our two year “Health Care Access” National Service Project (NSP) and the other event should be an educational or advocacy program.
• Develop a mechanism for chapters to publicize successful community service projects via the Website and other resources.
• Update and increase awareness about Covering the Uninsured Week (CTUW) resources online and ensure broad involvement by most chapters.

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Community service resources

• Community Service Survey - Highlights (PDF, 355KB)
  See the highlights of CSC's national survey of MSS chapter community service events, as presented at the 2007 MSS Interim Meeting.
• Community Service Chapter Events
  Learn about community service events organized by MSS chapters across the country.
• Chapter Involvement Grants
  MSS chapters are eligible for up to $1,000 in Chapter Involvement Grant (CIG) funding per academic year to support recruitment and community service projects, including Cover the Uninsured events. Take advantage of this great opportunity and apply for a CIG to cover the cost of your CTU event. Be sure to submit your CIG application at least 30 days before your event.
• MSS Cover the Uninsured page
  You'll find everything you need to know to plan and implement a successful Cover the Uninsured project, including project ideas, information about funding, and tips to help you publicize your event.
• A Guide to Organizing and Promoting Your Health Fair
  This guide from the American Academy of Pediatrics provides helpful tips for planning and promoting your health fair.

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National Service Project highlights

As part of its 2007 Interim Meeting in Hawaii, the AMA-MSS continued its National Service Project, "Covering the Uninsured and Protecting Access to Care," with an event at Aloha Stadium. More than 40 medical students distributed AMA materials and spoke with nearly 1,000 Hawaii residents attending a high school championship football game about the crisis of the uninsured and voting with this issue in mind in the upcoming election. More than 150 petition signatures were collected supporting the AMA's Voice for the Uninsured campaign.

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