You've Got What It Takes...

by Gaye Breyman, CAE
Chief Operating Officer

You hear a lot about the “CAPA family.” Of course, the term means different things to different people.

As a dues paying member you are an important part of the family. A very, very important part. Our doors wouldn’t stay open without you. You are the foundation of the CAPA family.

Building on that important foundation are PAs who volunteer to serve on committees and/or run for a position on the CAPA Board of Directors.

Joining our voices together for a single purpose - to promote and protect the PA profession in California - is why that first group of PAs gathered in Fresno 30 years ago. They didn’t know much about forming an associa-tion or how to run a board meeting. They didn’t know how to write bylaws or file articles of incorporation. They just knew that they wanted to help to promote and protect the profession they worked very hard to attain.

There is no special training needed to be a part of CAPA leadership.

In your own immediate family, there needs to be leadership. You need someone to prepare a budget and make sure you stay on track. You need to work together to set goals for your future and to come up with steps in a plan that will allow you to get there. When unexpected events happen, you need someone who can quickly assess the situation, adjust and rethink the plan. In your own extended family I would bet that you have leaders, followers, complainers, champions, cheerleaders and critics. Your CAPA family is no different.

The skills you use each day in your own life are the ones CAPA needs. CAPA can help you to develop new skills and those skills can transfer to your personal and professional lives.

For the past 30 years, it has taken hundreds of dedicated PAs to do the leadership work of the Academy. PAs who want to see CAPA be better and do better. These PAs find CAPA leadership a rewarding and a learning experience. The thing that I hear most is how much they enjoy taking an active part in this “CAPA family.” It is a great “team experience” and always a lot of fun. Watching and helping PA leaders grow in their leadership roles is one of the best parts of my job. Sometimes members comment that it looks like the same group of people hanging around year after year. They express criticism saying that CAPA needs “new blood.” Yes, we do!!

Believe me, we are always looking; always encouraging people to get involved. That is not always noticed or heard. Each year we run articles in the newsletter asking for people to get involved. To run for office. To help make a difference. To play an active role in CAPA leadership. We talk to PAs at meetings and conferences hoping to pique their interest in the various leadership opportunities. We are always on the lookout for future leaders.

I believe there are many PAs who want to get involved but don’t think they have the skills needed. I want you to know that all we need is your desire to make CAPA better. We will help you to build on the skills you al-ready have. You will have a great time in the process.

Give us a call (714-427-0321) or send us an email (capa@capanet.org) and hear about how you can help. Your energy, your enthusiasm, your own ideas, your organizational skills and your love of the PA profession will all be utilized. Give it a shot!

You will be glad you did.