AMSA has come a long way in recent years and has grown with the significant increase in student numbers. In order to keep the organisation running smoothly and maintain progress in advocacy and all the things that AMSA does, there are a few key areas that need particular attention, some of which fall under the responsibility of the National Coordinator (NC).

Foremost amongst the NC’s responsibilities is that of communication, especially between AMSA Reps and executive members. Communication is essential to the smooth running of any organisation, let alone such a major student advocacy group with over 13,500 members. Active discussion is vital, as collectively, the AMSA reps are the conduit by which medical students from across Australia can voice their opinion about a raft of student issues. Having led the first UWS MedSoc, and seen first hand the communication methods of a number of AMSA executives, I’ve been able to learn a lot about what works and where AMSA can improve.

Our team has a range of strategies in place to assist the way we will communicate to all levels of our membership. When it comes to Council, we will modify our use and the operation of Huddle. We see the role of Huddle as one more suited to discussion of policy, initiatives and specific points rather than utilised to make announcements and pass on important information. These announcements will be shifted to regular emails that outline upcoming deadlines, action items and agendas, each with its own prioritisation so that reps understand what needs to be done and when it needs to be done by.

By delineating communication in this manner, we believe that clearer roles are made for Huddle and for emails, providing reps with an easy to follow picture of where they need to go to find specific information on any number of topics, i.e. discussion on Huddle, announcements via email. Communication is not limited to these two methods however, and we will encourage and actively facilitate reps to be in regular contact to foster closer ties between medical schools and their student societies. Regular discussions, in a similar style to the break out groups at Council, will be conducted as policy is being developed and as they are required.

Council itself is another area that will need special attention as the agenda and numbers sitting around the table increases. Policy discussion will need to be to the point and educated, and communication and regular Huddle discussion in the pre-Council period will ideally aid in promoting efficiency. An independent chairperson will preside over proceedings, thereby freeing up all of the executive to contribute to discussion and also keep discussion firmly on topic and on schedule. Stricter deadlines and a greater adherence to these deadlines will be developed so that agendas come out on time and reps aren’t left with large wads of additional documents on Council Day 1. 

It is very clear that AMSA requires strong communication and efficient internal organisation for it to function as best as it can. I feel that NC is vital to this goal and I am keen to get involved and do the work that is required of this role. I have a strong background in leadership and organisational activities (both at a medsoc and at an AMSA level), and have a passion for the great work that AMSA has been doing for many years now. I genuinely feel that my experience, eagerness and knowledge will help me run a strong NC portfolio, as part of a team that will strengthen and fortify AMSA.