Dear Delegate:

Thank you for your service to the ASHP House of Delegates! As a delegate, you are one of approximately 200 ASHP leaders who play a key role in establishing ASHP professional policy that shapes the present and future of hospital and health-system pharmacy practice.

77th Annual Session of the House of Delegates

ASHP will host the Pharmacy Futures 2025 meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, so mark your calendars for June 7-11. Serving as a delegate is a rewarding and enriching experience, but getting acclimated during your first year may take some time. Whether you are newly elected or a seasoned veteran, I encourage you to read the welcome packet, visit the House of Delegates website often, and add the deadlines outlined on the delegate checklists to your calendar. If you are a new delegate, you should take a few minutes to view the welcome video. I also encourage new delegates to reach out to experienced delegates for direction, as they have a great deal of wisdom to share. Your state affiliate can provide contact information.

Delegates will take action multiple times throughout the year, via virtual voting in March, May (as necessary), and November, and at the in-person meeting in June. We will also meet at the Regional Delegate Conferences (RDCs) April 26-29, which will be conducted in-person and virtually, to review and discuss proposed policy recommendations. I have outlined below important delegate responsibilities for the upcoming virtual March and May House of Delegates and the RDCs.

Virtual House of Delegates in March and May

Policy recommendations are available now. The policy recommendations slated for consideration at the March virtual House have been posted to the House of Delegates website and ASHP Connect House of Delegates community. Delegates are encouraged to debate the policy recommendations on Connect throughout the spring.

Chair’s webinar. To provide more information about the March, May, and June House of Delegates, I will conduct a webinar on Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. ET. Please register at your first opportunity.

Resolution deadline is March 10. Most ASHP professional policies originate with ASHP member councils and sections. Resolutions, another source of policy recommendations, are submitted directly by ASHP members for House consideration. The deadline for the call for resolutions is March 10.

Delegates will vote on policy recommendations in early March and perhaps again in May. In March, delegates will receive an email message with detailed instructions for secure online voting, which will take place March 14-21. Delegates should review the policies with their constituents and discuss possible amendments with other delegates on Connect. The online voting process does not permit amendments, however, so delegates are encouraged to vote against any recommendation they strongly feel should be amended. Policy recommendations approved by at least 85% of delegates who vote will become ASHP policy. Policies not reaching that level of consensus will be considered by the House of Delegates in June. 

If you are a state delegate who will not be able to vote in March, please contact your state affiliate so an alternate can be appointed. Other delegates who are unable to participate should contact ASHP directly. Delegates whose credentials are not received by March 7 will not be able to participate in the March virtual House.

Following the RDCs, an additional online vote of policy recommendations may take place in May so that in June we can focus on the policies that generated the most discussion and possible amendments among delegates. Additional information will be forthcoming in future messages from me.

In-Person and Virtual RDCs April 26-29

We will offer in-person and virtual RDCs this year, and delegates and alternate delegates should plan to participate in one of the RDCs scheduled for April 26-29. Please visit the RDC section of the House of Delegates website for updates, review the RDC FAQs, and register for your in-person or virtual RDC option soon.    
 
Thank you again for your service. I look forward to working with all of you and, as always, I encourage you to contact me should you have any questions.