Download Full Delegate Job Description

The APTA House of Delegates (HOD), held annually in June, is the highest policy-making body of the American Physical Therapy Association. It is comprised of chapter voting delegates and section, assembly, and PTA Caucus non-voting delegates, and consultants. The number of voting chapter delegates is determined each year based on membership numbers as of June 30. As a delegate, you would be part of the elected body that determines the national Association's bylaws, positions and policies.  The APTA "Code of Ethics" is just one example of a document created by the HOD that is widely referenced throughout the physical therapy profession.

What are the qualifications to serve as a delegate?
Must be a Physical Therapist member, in good standing, in any (voting) class of membership of the Association for no less than two years immediately preceding the start of the House session.  The Chief Delegate shall have served as a delegate at least twice previously and demonstrate active involvement with the Association at national, chapter or district level.

Can a PTA be a delegate?
The NJ chapter also elects a PTA member, for a 2-year term, as a representative to the PTA Caucus, which meets at the APTA House of Delegates.

How many delegates does the New Jersey chapter have?
The New Jersey chapter (APTAnj) delegation includes the chapter President and Chief Delegate, along with 6 district delegates (i.e., 2 each from Northern, Central & Southern). The rest of the delegates are "at large" members who are elected at the fall chapter meeting.   

How long is the delegate's term of office?
Delegates serve for a 2-year term and take office immediately upon election.  A delegate may serve multiple terms. Alternate delegates serve for 1 year, unless called upon to fill a vacancy in the delegation, in which case the alternate completes the remainder of the original delegate's term.

How often do delegates meet?
The New Jersey delegation may meet 5-6 times throughout the year at the chapter office in Robbinsville, though some of the meetings are now being held as conference calls. The actual number of meetings may vary depending on how many motions are being brought forth or co-sponsored by the chapter.

Delegates are also expected travel to and attend the APTA House of Delegates, which is traditionally held over the course of 3 - 4 consecutive days in June.  Future dates and locations:

June 13 - 16, 2010   Boston, Massachusetts
June 5 - 8, 2011       National Harbor, Maryland

When are elections held?
District delegates are elected at their respective fall district meetings, which must occur prior to the chapter's fall meeting.  At-large delegates, the Chief Delegate and the President are all elected at the chapter's fall meeting. Those who run for "at large" delegate, but do not secure enough votes for a position automatically become "alternate" delegates. If you'd like to run for a delegate position, contact a member of the Nominating Committee.
 
What is an "alternate" delegate?
Alternate delegates are those nominated, but not elected as delegates at-large. Alternate delegates provide a pool of qualified members who can fill the term of an elected delegate, should the elected delegate need to resign their position for any reason.  Alternate delegates are expected to attend and participate in all delegate meetings. Currently, the New Jersey chapter provides some funding for the 1st Alternate Delegate to attend the APTA House of Delegates.