The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Board of Directors last year launched an effort to ensure that the Academy’s member constituency groups are organized to meet members’ needs.

Members now have two opportunities to share feedback – through an online survey or in person later this month at the National Conference of Constituency Leaders.

There are currently five AAFP Board-approved member constituencies: women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) members, new physicians, international medical graduates, and LGBTQ+ members and allies.

Please consider the following important questions and key issues:

• Are any constituencies now so well represented in Academy and chapter leadership that their group could be sunset?
• Are there some groups that should always be represented by a constituency?
• Would additional groups benefit from representation as a member constituency, and would such additions enhance Academy and chapter leadership and governance?
• If a group is perceived as underrepresented, should self-reported data be a factor in determining whether to include that group as a member constituency?
• Should there be a limit to the number of constituencies?

For more information, read the AAFP Voices blog by Cedric Barnes, DO, FAAFP, chair of the AAFP Commission on Membership and Member Service, and chair of AAFP’s Member Constituencies Task Force.