COA DISPATCH - March 28, 2007

CONTENTS
1) Halifax Early Registration Closes March 31
2) Membership Survey - What Direction Should the COA Take?
3) Industry/Surgeon Corporate Challenge Golf Tournament
4) Recruitment Task Force - Volunteers Needed!
5) Hip Hip Hooray! Celebrate Bone and Joint Health

1) HALIFAX EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES MARCH 31
Don't miss your chance to save $$!  The early registration rates for the Halifax Annual Meeting are expiring soon!  After March 31, fees will increase for most of the membership categories.  Take advantage of the early registration rates while you can - register before March 31!  Go to: http://www.coa-annual-meeting.org/ to register.

2) MEMBERSHIP SURVEY - WHAT DIRECTION SHOULD THE COA TAKE?
Earlier this month, all Active and Associate members of the COA were e-mailed a link to an online membership survey.  The survey's purpose is to measure satisfaction with the Association's products and services, and to solicit input into the prioritization of issues that the COA Board should address over the next 1-3 years.  Your input is crucial - the higher the response rate, the better we'll understand what you want from your organization, and the better we'll be able to meet your needs in the short and long-term.  Responding to the survey will take you no more than 10 minutes.  Please send us your replies by April 16, 2007.

3) INDUSTRY/SURGEON CORPORATE CHALLENGE GOLF TOURNAMENT
You're invited to participate in the 2007 Industry/Surgeon Corporate Challenge golf tournament on May 31, 2007 in support of the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation's Research Legacy fund.  Registration is $1,200 for teams of 4 and includes green fee, cart, lunch and prizes.  Look for a registration form in the preliminary programme mailing.  Please return your registration no later than May 18, 2007, to the COA office.  For more information about the Foundation, please visit http://www.canorth.org/.

4) RECRUITMENT TASK FORCE - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The growing need for the COA to take a leadership role in recruitment and retention strategies is evident.  The COA Executive would like YOUR assistance in developing a strategy that would assist our young members find career opportunities within Canada.  We'd like to assemble an ad hoc committee made up motivated volunteers, preferably members who have been in active practice for less than 10 years, who could provide guidance and counsel on today's Canadian orthopaedic job market.  It is anticipated that this group will meet by teleconference a few times a year with the possibility of an in person meeting at the time of the COA's Annual Meeting.  Those interested in becoming a member of this new steering committee are invited to contact Cynthia Vezina at the COA Office: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it / 514 874-9003 x 3.

5) HIP HIP HOORAY! CELEBRATE BONE AND JOINT HEALTH
Celebrate bone and joint health on Sunday, May 27, by telling your patients about Hip Hip Hooray!  It's an ideal way to focus attention on the benefits of orthopaedic surgery and to raise some money for your community or hospital.  Join us for Hip Hip Hooray! so that your patients can thank you for giving them back their mobility.  Not only can you ask your patients to attend the event and get sponsors, but you can ask those that are unable to attend to sponsor you, because you're a walker too!