I have dedicated my entire 16 year career to the high school level, serving as an athletic trainer, athletic director, and now as an assistant principal. Furthermore, I have actively worked with several athletic training committees including the NATA Secondary School Committee, the NATA Public Relations Committee, and the CATA Governmental Affairs Committee, as well as various NATA task forces and advisory groups. Specifically, I served on the NATA Nomenclature Taskforce in 2003, and contributed to the completion of both the NATA’s Position Proposal Guide and Position Improvement Guide for the Secondary School Athletic Trainer in 1998 and 2003 respectively. In 2006 and 2007, I shepherded athletic training regulation bills through the many committees and both floors of the California State Legislature, which ultimately made it to the Governor’s desk. Currently, I am the State Head Master Assessor for the CIF Wrestling Weight Management program. Through it all, I have gained invaluable experience and have remained fully committed to the advancement of our profession on a variety of important levels.
As I carefully considered the prospect of running for President of the California Athletic Trainers’ Association, I identified three key goals that ultimately motivated me to pursue this critical leadership position: 1) improving our political position, 2) enhancing public relations, and 3) investigating alternative revenue sources allowing us to forward our vision. Success in these areas will create considerable value for members of the CATA– and will ultimately increase the value and service of the athletic training profession as a whole across the state.
In order for our profession to thrive, the CATA needs to become a strong player in California’s political landscape of health care and government. While athletic training licensure remains the cornerstone of our governmental relations and professional recognition efforts, it cannot be our sole purpose. We must develop political allies from other medical and professional associations that will enhance our legislative clout and make future political efforts more fruitful. Additionally, CATA members should expect their association to effectively represent them in Sacramento and to take action– not only for our own recognition and regulation– but also to monitor other legislation that could impact our profession and either support or vehemently opposite it.
Having served as the CATA Governmental Affairs Chair for the last four years, I have supported these initiatives, but we must expand considerably if we are to compete successfully in the vast California health care market. As President of the CATA, I will use both my extensive governmental experience and an unrelenting passion to guide future legislative efforts and to represent our members to the California legislators and the public as a whole.
The CATA’s public relations efforts are integral to our political work. Gone are the days when a successful PR campaign involved selling T-shirts and having members hand out fliers. Though grassroots promotions are still important, the expansion of our responsibility and influence, coupled with the continued assistance of a professional public relations firm, is vital if we are truly intent on improving public recognition of athletic training. JWalcher Communications has worked with the CATA during the last few years to develop a PR presence across the state with increasing momentum and success. These efforts must grow with the support of CATA leadership in order to effectively solidify the identity of athletic trainers in California households.
Finally, the CATA needs to find ways to generate alternative revenues beyond membership dues. The association has a strong history of financial responsibility and stability. That will not change. However, all the aforementioned efforts are essential and costly. The NATA and the FWATA have been tremendously supportive for all that we have done, yet the funds provided by these organizations are limited. The CATA needs to investigate and secure alternative revenue sources, such as corporate and/or physician sponsorships that will provide continuous support for our legislative and public relations efforts as well as any other association/member needs that may arise.
It is my goal that as the California Athletic Trainers’ Association moves forward, each member realizes and appreciates the value of membership. Coupled with that, I aim to increase the perceived and actual value of athletic training services and our clinical expertise throughout California in both the public and private sectors. With an increase in political recognition/regulation and improved public awareness, we can achieve positive changes in the number and types of athletic training jobs, increased salaries, and realize a professional stature in which all of our members can take pride.