1601 N. Tucson Blvd. Suite 9
Tucson, AZ 85716-3450
Phone: (800) 635-1196

 Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc.
A Voice for Private Physicians Since 1943
Omnia pro aegroto

Tips on How to Start an AAPS Student Chapter

  1. Get your name in the student directory as a contact for AAPS

    • first schedule a lecturer- see list of ideas and people
    • schedule a lunch-time/ dinner event in the lecture hall of the medical school. You can find out the scheduling protocols from other existing clubs
    • don’t schedule an event near exams for your class or the other classes
    • schedule events to coincide with AMSA type events (serve the uninsured is a good time to have a health economist speak on Health Savings Accounts)– see calendar
    • get money from local AAPS members, AAPS, or your university club account (see your Dean of Academic Affairs to find out if they have money set aside for student organizations) to buy food for the event!
    • It is a good thing to feed medical students! And local pizza shops will offer you a steep discount when you buy 14 pizzas for 50 people.

  2. Advertise the event

    • two weeks before send out an email
    • post event on school’s web-site calendar – usually each class has their own web-site that they manage
    • one week before the event send out an email asking for RSVP’s so pizza can be ordered
    • one day before the event put out a last call for RSVP’s
    • three school days before the event put up at least 11 fliers on lecture hall doors, student lounge, and building entrances and exits

  3. Day of event

    • fun AAPS Student Org power point on lecture hall screens while everyone gets food and settles in
    • put out a sign in sheet with an offer for FREE MEMBERSHIP in AAPS at the head of the food line
    • plan ten minutes to get everyone seated with food
    • introduce speaker and AAPS, thank whoever paid for delicious pizza and sodas
    • prepare the speaker ahead of time to speak 40 minutes
    • follow up with question and answers
    • reminds people at the end of fabulously successful event that they can still sign up for free for AAPS membership

  4. Day after event

    • send out email with web-site link for additional relevant info to the event
    • offer free membership, again
    • announce next event

  5. Plan on three events per year, minimum

  6. In March hold a AAPS Student Org membership meeting to elect next year’s officers

  7. Submit list of members and list of officers to dean of academic affairs so that this leadership opportunity goes into their file