Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) has several standing committees to assist with conducting the business of the Association and advancing pharmacy practice in Michigan. Joining one of these groups allows you to make an impact on your profession, while networking and collaborating with peers.
MPA will hold a committee kick-off day on January 19, 2023 involving the committees listed below. Additonal committee meetings throughout the year are scheduled by each individual group. Each committee is also assigned charges to accomplish throughout the year. Committee members are appointed to a one-year term (January-December).
If you are interested in participating in a committee, please fill out the online MPA Member Engagement Form.
Click on the black bars below to learn more about each committee.
Committee Purpose
The MPA Education Committee works jointly with MPA staff to support the development of educational resources that meet the needs of MPA members, while providing a means of engagement for members interested in education and training.
Leadership & Composition
This committee is made up of the staff liaison and at least two representatives from each MPA practice section (SMPA, MSPT, CSPM, MSCP, and MSHP) of whom one is appointed chair by the MPA President. Although an ideal committee size may range from 10 to 15 members, it is at the discretion of the MPA President how many total members are appointed/maintained throughout the year. Beyond the minimum practice section representation, it is also prudent for the MPA President to strive for diversity in practitioner type (e.g., new, independent, academic, long-term care, specialty, industry, etc.). Members are appointed by the MPA President to a one-year term. Consideration for reappointment is dependent on interest expressed to MPA using its current volunteer form. Members who miss three consecutive meetings or more than 50% of scheduled meetings are subject to removal from the Committee. If any vacancies occur, it is the responsibility of the committee to report this to the MPA President so that he/she may appoint a member(s) to fill the vacancy/vacancies. The chair is responsible for setting the committee’s meeting schedule for the year and leading its meetings. The staff liaison is responsible for sending meeting invites, providing a meeting agenda, recording meeting minutes, and making meeting minutes available to the MPA EB and practice section Boards of Directors. The chair and liaison are responsible for ensuring annual responsibilities and charges are fulfilled.
Annual Responsibilities
Ensure activities/products of the Committee align with the MPA Mission & Strategic Plan.
Identify a vice chair to serve as chair in the subsequent year (if needed) and in the absence of the chair in the current year.
Participate in MPA’s Committee Day(s) and additional meetings of the Education Committee. MPA Staff Liaison
Respond to requests referred to the Committee by the MPA EB and MPA practice section Boards of Directors.
Consider and make recommendations regarding the House of Delegates resolution(s) referred to the Committee by the EB.
Submit the annual committee report to the MPA EB by November 1, 2023.
2023 Charges (tentative)
Develop/update a list of speakers and topics for [live or virtual] educational programming provided by MPA.
Identify authors and topics for 3 continuing education articles that meet ACPE accreditation criteria for publication in the Michigan Pharmacist journal.
Support and approve the schedule of CE programming at the 2024 Annual Convention & Exposition, ensuring it meets the needs of members (e.g., pain, law, safety, practice-section specific, etc.).
The MPA Government Affairs Committee works jointly with MPA staff to advocate for pharmacy legislatively, in alignment with MPA’s mission and current strategy, while providing a means of engagement for members interested in legislative affairs.
This committee is made up of the MPA staff liaison, at least one representative from each MPA practice section (SMPA, MSPT, CSPM, MSCP, and MSHP), eight at-large positions, and not more than 12 members representing organizations belonging to the Corporate Pharmacy Council (with a limit of one member per organization), thus making the maximum committee size 25. Beyond the minimum practice section representation, it is also prudent for the MPA President to strive for diversity in practitioner type (e.g., new, independent, academic, long-term care, specialty, industry, etc.). Members, including the chair, are appointed by the MPA President to a one-year term in collaboration with the leadership of each practice section. Consideration for reappointment is dependent on interest expressed to MPA using its current volunteer form. Members who miss three consecutive meetings or more than 50% of scheduled meetings are subject to removal from the Committee. If any vacancies occur, it is the responsibility of the committee to report this to the MPA President so that he/she may appoint a member(s) to fill the vacancy/vacancies. The chair is responsible for setting the committee’s meeting schedule for the year and leading its meetings. The staff liaison is responsible for sending meeting invites, providing a meeting agenda, recording meeting minutes, and making meeting minutes available to the MPA EB and practice section Boards of Directors. The chair and liaison are jointly responsible for ensuring annual responsibilities and charges are fulfilled.
Participate in MPA’s Committee Day(s) and additional meetings of the Government Affairs Committee.
Submit the annual Legislator Scorecard to membership.
Assist in planning for the annual PAC Luncheon at the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition, including, but not limited to, providing recommendations for the Hank Fuhs Good Government, Good Public Health Policy, and Legislator of the Year awards.
Review and discuss any potential pharmacy related legislation, or regulatory changes and make recommendations to the EB.
Advocate for legislation to facilitate the expansion of pharmacist scope of practice, reimbursement and enhancing patient safety, focusing specifically in 2023 on: [TBD]
Collaborate with governmental stakeholders and payer organizations to increase billing opportunities for pharmacist-provided services, including medical provider status for Michigan Medicaid and other third-party payers.
Stimulate pharmacy professionals and others to take a more active and effective part in governmental affairs, political action, and civic responsibilities.
Raise funds for Pharmacy PAC to distribute to elected officials supportive of pharmacy and the pharmacy profession.
Produce one government-affairs- or advocacy-themed article for each issue of Michigan Pharmacist journal.
The MPA Marketing Committee acts as a sounding board for marketing strategies and tools, develops and hones innovative ideas, and provides feedback on marketing activities as requested by the MPA Marketing and Communications team. Each committee member brings unique marketing experience and a wealth of knowledge to share.
This committee is made up of the MPA staff liaison and at least two representatives from each MPA practice section (SMPA, MSPT, CSPM, MSCP, and MSHP) of whom one is appointed chair by the MPA President. Although an ideal committee size may range from 10 to 15 members, it is at the discretion of the MPA President how many total members are appointed/maintained throughout the year. Beyond the minimum practice section representation, it is also prudent for the MPA President to strive for diversity in practitioner type (e.g., new, independent, academic, long-term care, specialty, industry, etc.). Members are appointed by the MPA President to a one-year term in collaboration with the leadership of each practice section. Consideration for reappointment is dependent on interest expressed to MPA using its current volunteer form. Members who miss three consecutive meetings or more than 50% of scheduled meetings are subject to removal from the Committee. If any vacancies occur, it is the responsibility of the committee to report this to the MPA President so that he/she may appoint a member(s) to fill the vacancy/vacancies. The chair is responsible for setting the committee’s meeting schedule for the year and leading its meetings. The staff liaison is responsible for sending meeting invites, providing a meeting agenda, recording meeting minutes, and making meeting minutes available to the MPA EB and practice section Boards of Directors. The chair and liaison are jointly responsible for ensuring annual responsibilities and charges are fulfilled.
Participate in MPA’s Committee Day(s) and additional meetings of the Marketing Committee.
Lend marketing expertise, engaging in conversations to help improve MPA’s marketing efforts.
Participate in brainstorming sessions to develop innovative ways to market the benefits of MPA, including its products/services.
Identify possible marketing opportunities for the association. 
Share best practices and lessons learned as relevant and appropriate.
Provide feedback on marketing strategies and tools, including communications plans, materials, media strategy and social media.
Share MPA promotional materials and messaging with members’ pharmacy networks.
Working with the MPA Marketing and Communications department, develop a comprehensive plan for marketing MPA, including membership benefits, products/services, and promotional messages for all platforms (website, social media, newsletters and printed publications).
Evaluate the MPA’s current benefit offerings including its products/services and make a recommendation to the Board for opportunities for new offerings.
Identify marketing strategies to increase MPA membership and its products/services adoption, including investigating best practices of other state associations.
The MPA Membership Committee works jointly with MPA staff to recruit and retain MPA members, while providing a means of engagement for members interested in contributing to the success of the association through the vital component of membership.
Participate in MPA’s Committee Day(s) and additional meetings of the Membership Committee.
Provide ideas and feedback to membership staff for MPA publications/communications.
Identify strategies to increase Association membership including investigating best practices of other state associations.
Develop one contest for membership to engage members in increasing membership. Leverage to in-person audience of the Annual Convention & Exposition (ACE) to debut or highlight this contest.
Conduct at least 2 phone call membership drives for delinquent and new members.
Each committee member is responsible for recruiting 5 new members.
The MPA New Practitioners Committee works jointly with MPA staff to engage and support new practitioner MPA members, while providing a means of engagement for new practitioners serving on the Committee.
Participate in MPA’s Committee Day(s) and additional meetings of the New Practitioners Committee.
Develop and implement a strategy to interact with new practitioners in their first five years of membership to improve engagement.
Assign a New Practitioner Member Spotlight article for the last two 2023 and first two 2024 issues of Michigan Pharmacist). Submit a 1-page article (500-700 words) highlighting personal and professional goals and interests, why they are a pharmacist, and why they are an MPA member.
Plan a New Practitioner event/activity for the 2024 MPA Annual Convention and Exposition.
Explore, evaluate, and review the feasibility of engaging membership through technology, including but not limited to podcasts.
Recruit 3 new MPA members for each member of the Committee.
The MPA Professional Affairs Committee works jointly with MPA staff to evaluate professional issues and serve as a resource on issues that impact the profession, while providing a means of engagement for members interested in professional affairs. In addition, committee members manage the annual NASPA-NMA Student Pharmacist Self-care Championship held during the annual convention; evaluate patient safety tools; and educate members on health information exchange and involvement in regional health information organizations.
Participate in MPA’s Committee Day(s) and additional meetings of the Professional Affairs Committee.
Produce four articles per year for each MPA practice section’s respective newsletter, as assigned by the MPA Communications Manager.
Manage all aspects of the NASPA-NMA Student Pharmacist Self-care Championship, ensure participation by each college of pharmacy, and revise the competition procedure manual, as necessary.
Solicit authors and topics focused on health equity and/or patient safety for the April, July, October, and January issues of the Michigan Pharmacist journal.
Review and update MPA’s online patient safety resources and work to promote the utilization of the resources available on the MPA website.
Send letter/email to the new recipients of the Dean’s Professionalism Award to inform them of Committee Responsibilities and solicit their interest on serving on the Committee.
The MPA Public Affairs Committee works jointly with MPA staff to increase public awareness of the pharmacist’s role in patient care. The Committee provides a means of engagement for members interested in developing tools for pharmacists and technicians to use in their campaigns to promote pharmacy. This includes promotion through/of Michigan Pharmacy Week, patient adherence, pharmacist-patient dialogue, and other public relations initiatives.
Participate in MPA’s Committee Day(s) and additional meetings of the Public Affairs Committee.
Review and update the sections of the MPA website intended for patients/the public.
Produce four articles per year for each MPA practice section’s respective newsletter.
Identify and promote educational resources on wellness that pharmacy staff can provide to their patients and communities.
Develop a series of stories by July 1, 2023 for the public that highlight the impact of Michigan pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on patient outcomes. Implement a plan to highlight the stories through various internal and external communications channels. Ensure that stories reach a broader audience than just pharmacists.
Develop a strategy to promote pharmacy professionals to the public, including reaching underserved populations and submit for MPA Board approval by June 1, then implement the plan during Michigan Pharmacy Week. (The Committee should determine a benchmark metric to gauge success such as attendance, social media hits, etc.).
The MPA Workplace Environment Committee works jointly with MPA staff to raise awareness, increase dialogue with key stakeholders, and offer solutions related to workplace environment issues. The Committee provides a means of engagement for members interested in the advancement of the pharmacy workplace for the betterment of the well-being of pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians.
This committee is made up of the MPA staff liaison and at least two representatives from each MPA practice section (SMPA, MSPT, CSPM, MSCP, and MSHP), of whom one is appointed chair by the MPA President. Although an ideal committee size may range from 10 to 15 members, it is at the discretion of the MPA President how many total members are appointed/maintained throughout the year. Beyond the minimum practice section representation, it is also prudent for the MPA President to strive for diversity in practitioner type (e.g., new, independent, academic, long-term care, specialty, industry, etc.). Members are appointed by the MPA President to a one-year term in collaboration with the leadership of each practice section. Consideration for reappointment is dependent on interest expressed to MPA using its current volunteer form. Members who miss three consecutive meetings or more than 50% of scheduled meetings are subject to removal from the Committee. If any vacancies occur, it is the responsibility of the committee to report this to the MPA President so that he/she may appoint a member(s) to fill the vacancy/vacancies. The chair is responsible for setting the committee’s meeting schedule for the year and leading its meetings. The staff liaison is responsible for sending meeting invites, providing a meeting agenda, recording meeting minutes, and making meeting minutes available to the MPA EB and practice section Boards of Directors. The chair and liaison are jointly responsible for ensuring annual responsibilities and charges are fulfilled.
Participate in MPA’s Committee Day(s) and additional meetings of the Workplace Environment Committee.
Provide an update at the 2024 MPA Annual Convention & Exposition on the findings of the Committee.
Produce 1 article for publication in the April issue of Michigan Pharmacist journal, reporting on the output of the Committee.