ALPHA Resolutions and Position Papers

How does ALPHA use resolutions and position papers?

Resolutions and position papers serve as ALPHA’s policy statements that help to shape ALPHA’s stance on a variety of public health topics reflecting the depth and the diversity of interests and expertise among ALPHA’s members. The resolutions and position papers serve as a regular source of information to many, including ALPHA’s members, its partners, and policymakers.

ALPHA refers to the resolutions and position papers as background for determining whether ALPHA will support or oppose legislation, regulations, and other actions based on the research, general position and recommendations included in the resolutions. The resolutions:

• Drive the content of legislative and regulatory recommendations including letters and comments sent to the Legislature and policymakers;
• Help to shape the development of legislative, regulatory, and media advocacy activities;
• Provide easy access to the latest research; and
• Help ALPHA develop statements, fact sheets, reports, and infographics.

How can YOU use resolutions and position papers?

ALPHA members can also use the resolutions and position papers to advocate for public health issues in their communities and organizations.

Additional opportunities for ALPHA members to use the resolutions and position papers include:

• Writing letters to the editor on various public health issues;
  • Equipping oneself with the latest research and knowledge when advocating for public health with local and organizational policy makers; and
• Developing and expanding public health programs and initiatives.

RESOLUTIONS AND POSITION PAPERS: REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURE

Current ALPHA members are invited to respond to the Call for Health Policy Resolutions and Position Papers in writing using the format requirements described below. For each resolution, please provide a clear statement and findings related to the resolution, including target audience and impact. Proposed resolutions and position papers accepted by the Health Policy Committee and approved by the Board of Directors will be submitted to the membership in advance and voted on at the Annual Meeting. Resolutions from Prior Years are available below.

A resolution or position paper may be submitted by any member of the Alaska Public Health Association. For a resolution and/or position papers, at least one individual (sponsor) must be named to represent the proposal at the annual meeting.

The following represents the schedule the Health Policy Committee will follow:

Resolutions and papers must be submitted in the format described below to be considered:

Resolution - A resolution is a statement of specific action, series of action, or a principle endorsed by the Association, and usually directed toward a specific external individual, organization, or event. Resolutions may be policy or non-policy in nature.

Health Policy Committee Responsibilities

1. The Health Policy Committee will review all resolutions and papers submitted. That review will take place throughout the year, and especially prior to the annual submission deadline.
2. The Committee's primary function is to assure that the document is:
   1. appropriately prepared for the Annual Meeting,
   2. appropriately researched and documented, and
      1. appropriately reviewed for suggestions and recommendations to improve the quality of the document.
3. The Health Policy Committee may review the resolutions and policy statement to develop a formal recommendation to the full membership. The membership will be apprised of those recommendations prior to the vote.

Public Hearing

1. A portion of the annual meeting will be set aside for the full membership to review and debate the merits of the resolution/position paper at the annual meeting.
2. Each sponsor, or their representative delegated the responsibility in writing, must attend the hearing where the policy statement is being reviewed to represent the proposal.

Late Breaking Resolutions at the Annual Meeting

1. A late-breaking event is an event occurring after the resolutions and position papers submission deadline.
   1. Anyone wishing to submit a late-breaking resolution should contact the Chair of the Health Policy Committee or one of the officers of the Alaska Public Health Association.
   2. All submittals must be in writing and be in at least 24 hours prior to the public hearing time, and must document the urgency for late submittal. The chair of the Public Hearing may suspend the rules and take up resolutions on late breaking events.
2. Late Breakers adopted by the membership will be labeled as such. Late Breakers will become the policy of ALPHA until the next annual meeting.
3. Late Breakers adopted by the membership will need to be reaffirmed by the membership the following year to become an ALPHA Resolution in perpetuity.
1. The following year, the sponsor of the Lake Breaker will follow the ALPHA Resolutions and Position Paper requirements and procedures and resubmit the Resolution.
4. This route of submission at the annual meeting is discouraged as it bypasses the entire technical review process.

SUBMIT A RESOLUTION OR POSITION PAPER HERE

Past Resolutions

Committed to developing sound health policy and advancing the public’s health, ALPHA solicits resolutions and position statements from members for action at our annual meeting. The adopted resolutions form the basis for our advocacy efforts and remain relevant in perpetuity unless revoked or archived by the association.

Here is a list of past resolutions.  Click on the link to view or download a copy resolutions by year. A summary only is provided for resolutions before 2011.