Resolution: Creating Options for Lifetime Active Membership

Introduced by: Elizabeth McIntosh, MD, MPH

Whereas, the current American Academy of Family Physician’s lifetime membership option require members to be fully retired or over age 70 to qualify;

Whereas, lifetime members of the American Academy of Family Physicians cannot vote or run for office;

Whereas, active membership dues may not be affordable for members who are part time or nearing retirement;

Whereas, having more experienced physicians in the AAFP provides institutional memory, increased mentorship opportunities, and increased numbers of potential preceptors for medical students and residents;

Whereas, having a path to lifetime membership that rewards members for continued membership or commitment to a certain number of years of membership may also encourage younger physicians to renew their memberships and stay involved with the organization;

Therefore be it Resolved that, the OAFP ask the AAFP to explore options for creating a new category of active lifetime membership, which would be for members who are not fully retired and who have demonstrated commitment to the organization, for example through having held a certain number of years of continued membership, or through pledging to commit to a certain number of years of membership.

Fiscal Note: Minimal, OAFP delegate time and participation at the COD.

Problem Statement
One big struggle in family medicine is finding mentors and preceptors for medical students and residents. Physicians who are active members of the AAFP/OAFP are more likely to be interested in mentoring the next generation, and are also more connected to AAFP/OAFP events and opportunities. But as physicians progress in their careers, they may also be more likely to stop being interested in paying high dues if they no longer need the CME activities, CME tracking, and other AAFP benefits. However, older physicians may also be more likely to have time to donate to meeting with and teaching the next generation, and have more clinical experience and knowledge to pass on. So there is a lot of value in keeping them involved as active members.

Problem Universe
Current and potential AAFP/OAFP members.

Proposed Solution
I think the AAFP should explore options for “lifetime membership” – we can take this to the COD without too many details, with the goal to just get it to a committee or board to look at more, but I think this would motivate both older physicians to stay members (for example if they’ve been members for a long time already, instead of leaving early they might be willing to pay dues for 2 more years to get the lifetime membership benefit), and motivate younger physicians to commit to the organization long-term if they can receive a lifetime membership benefit at the end of that period.

Existing Evidence
Some other organizations already do lifetime memberships with differing policies, where the members are not retired and can still vote and hold office. Just 2 examples though I’m sure there are others: STFM offers it to physicians over 60 who pay a one-time membership fee of $2500 (equivalent to about 8 years’ dues), while AAPLOG has a lifetime membership fee of $5000 one time (equivalent to 20 years dues).