Call for Volunteers

Purpose: The purpose of the Task Force is to explore the processes, systems, and resources needed for ACAPT to establish a peer-based, multi-faceted recognition system similar to the ASPIRE model capable of evaluating applications from academic programs seeking recognition of excellence in a wide range of attributes and to honor those selected. Ideally, the system would also include a process for programs to self-evaluate against established criteria in order to facilitate excellence.

Objectives: The objectives of the Task Force are to use focus groups for broad feedback and the experiences of other professions in order to:

• Recommend the categories of excellence based on the definition of excellence established by ACAPT, the work from the Criteria for Excellence Strategy meeting, the existing literature, and experiences of other professions; 
• Develop examples of data that could be used to support categories of evidence
• Identify the systems and processes needed that would allow programs self-evaluate against the criteria and apply for national recognition;
• Recommend a timeline for submission, review, and awarding of recognition of excellence;
• Recommend a process for review of applications, including time and resources needed
• Classify the ideal composition of the experts for each type of recognition who would evaluate the applications;
• Consult with the originators of the ASPIRE and Baldridge Excellence Framework for Education programs along with the Criteria for Excellence board workgroup to gain insights on how they accomplished it and what lessons can be learned from their successes and mistakes
• Identify the type of award for honorees that would be deemed most cherished and coveted (e.g., a plaque; name listing; cash award; etc); and
• Recommend process(es) for responding to applicants not selected for awards.

Composition of the Task Force:  The Task Force will be made up of the following:

Up to 3 individuals with an interest in this specific work

• 1 member from the Leadership Development Oversight Committee
• 1 member from the ACAPT Awards and Recognition Panel
• 3 members from the Criteria for Excellence meeting, one of whom is from the Benchmarks Task Force
• 1 member from the Student Assembly 

Guiding Principles: The composition of the Task Force should meet the following criteria:

• Remain in compliance with antitrust guidelines
• Involve multiple stakeholders in physical therapy education and not the proprietary interests of one practice area segment
• Not involve any commercial interests
• Be able to address issues within the timeline established
• Endeavor to work toward a positive impact for all parties involved
• Reflect the diversity of the profession
• All members of the Task Force shall be individual members of ACAPT member institutions in good standing. Representation from other communities of interest and/or stakeholder groups for which membership with ACAPT is not possible will also make up the Task Force.

Work Plan: The Task Force follows the working guidelines:

• Meets monthly via conference calls to review tasks completed and next steps to meet deadlines and objectives
• Reports progress/status to the Board of Directors on a monthly basis
• Conducts focus group discussions through an invitation process that factors meeting at ELC 2019 and CSM 2020 as well as virtual conference calls and online surveys

Resources: The following resources will be made available 

• >Support of ACAPT Staff
• Use of APTA Community Hub for dialogue and document sharing
• Use of ACAPT conference call line
• Use of ACAPT SurveyMonkey account
• Funding for up to $1,000 in travel and up to $500 in food & beverage to attend a face-to-face meeting of the Task Force at CSM 2020

Timeline: The Task Force is expected to meet the following timeline:

• Consult with the originators of the ASPIRE and Baldridge Excellence Framework for Education programs along with the Criteria for Excellence board workgroup to gain insights on how they accomplished it and what lessons can be learned from their successes and mistakes
• CSM 2020 –First face-to-face meeting of Task Force (a virtual meeting may occur before this)
• June 2020 –Preliminary report to Board
• September 2020 – Presents final findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors 

Roles and Responsibilities: All members of the Task Force

• All members must be active participants.  If not, the Task Force Chair may remove them.
• Adoption of any recommendations for the Board of Directors requires a majority vote of the Task Force members.

TASK FORCE APPLICATION

Volunteers for the Task Force must have the following qualifications:

• Time availability for Task Force work as outlined above
• Willingness to adhere to agreed-upon Task Force deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively with Task Force members via email and conference calls
• Working knowledge of current practice and PT education demands
• Ability to convert thoughts and ideas into concrete plans and actions

Interested individuals should forward a one page summary that describes your qualifications, including:

• Your primary area of practice or teaching focus
• Number of years teaching
• History of activity within ACAPT or APTA (leadership and other)
• Reason for wanting to serve
• Please also provide a copy of your CV or resume. 

Please send notification of interest as above with CV directly to the ACAPT Executive Office at acapt@acapt.org by October 25, 2019, to be considered for invitation. 

Task force members will be selected by ACAPT Executive Committee and all applicants will be notified within the week of November 4.   All applications shall be compiled and retained by the Executive Office and shared with those making the selection of the Task Force members.