Dear AAFP Board of Directors,
Through my inside sources, I have learned that your first Board meeting of the year starts today. Actually, it wasn't through secret sources, it was through social media. First of all, I just wanted to thank all of you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to serve the Academy - what an exciting time for all of you!
A lot of people out here will give you policy recommendations on where the Academy should stand on certain issues. This letter is not that. This letter is to encourage the Board to continue its great use of Social Media to effectively communicate with membership and to communicate with the public.
As a Family Physician and Social Media Enthusiast, I have really enjoyed things like the Leader Voices blog, the increased activity of twitter/facebook, and the beginnings of the use of video announcements/commentary by Board members. There was probably an "orientation to media" session given at some point, and I hope that social media was a part of that.
I wish you all the best in your work this week at your first Board meeting. It's easy to get caught up in the work of the Board, but don't ever forget us our here in the grassroots. Even more important than what you're doing behind closed doors, what's more important, in my humble opinion, is communicating "what" and "why" you're doing something to the AAFP membership. Have a great Board meeting.
Mike Sevilla, MD