The deadline to submit resolutions to be considered by the 2022 ISMA House of Delegates is June 12. This is one month earlier than in past years; the 2021 House of Delegates adopted a resolution changing the deadline from 60 days before convention to 90 days, in order to give ISMA committees, commissions and districts sufficient time to review, consider, research and provide feedback on resolutions.

This year’s convention will be held in person at the Embassy Suites in Noblesville on Sept. 9-11. Resolutions written by members and adopted at convention can drive ISMA’s public policy and legislative agenda, determine ISMA’s formal position on issues, or make structural and process changes to our organization. That means that introducing a resolution is an unparalleled opportunity to make a difference for your profession and your patients.

While details of how to submit and comment on resolutions this year are still being finalized – including expanded opportunities for interaction using the ISMA Pulse member engagement tool – it’s not too early to begin researching and drafting a resolution. The following guidelines for writing an effective resolution will help make the process as efficient as possible and minimize the need for amendments:

• Research current policy on your issue.
  - If your resolution asks ISMA to do something, check the ISMA Public Policy Manual to see whether or how the issue has been addressed in the past.
  - If your resolution asks the AMA to take action, check here for any current AMA policy.
• Determine an action or position on an issue that you would like ISMA to take. Then, succinctly state the action or position and the reasons.
• Write a short title for your resolution.
• Include your name or the names of ISMA members introducing the resolution. Only members can introduce a resolution; nonmembers or organizations cannot.
• Write one or more “Whereas” statements that succinctly explain the issue and each reason ISMA should take action. Each “Whereas” statement should include only a single point.
• Conclude with one or more “Resolved” statements. Each “Resolved” statement is considered separately by the House of Delegates and, if adopted, becomes ISMA policy. Each “resolved” statement should:
  - State a clear, specific action plan for what you want ISMA to do.
  - Stand on its own; it must include all information necessary to be understood by someone with no prior knowledge of the issue and without reference to the “Whereas” statements.

If you have questions about writing a resolution, please email policy@ismanet.org. And, be sure to watch your email, ISMA Reports and our 173rd Annual ISMA Convention homepage for more details on how to submit and review resolutions for 2022!