1. Membership Matters The AAMA—Your Partner in Professionalism
[Speaker: Display this slide as attendees settle in.]

2. Welcome Good (morning/afternoon/evening),
My name is (name/credential), and I work for (employer). It’s a pleasure to be with you (today/tonight)! I have been a member of the AAMA for (number) years and (have held/currently hold) the post(s) of (any local, state, or national positions).
I look forward to providing as much information as I can, and helping clear up any questions you might have about medical assisting or the American Association of Medical Assistants. I’ve included some basic fact sheets for you to look over, as well.  
[Speaker: Order AAMA marketing materials here:

3. A day in the life
I’d like to talk about the profession of medical assisting; specifically, how membership in a professional association like the AAMA can help open doors for your career. 
My daily work mainly involves (work tasks). But, whether you’re a clinical or administrative medical assistant, all of your skills will be tested on a daily basis.   

4. About the AAMA Founded in 1956 Tri-level organization
More than 240 local chapters
43 state societies
One national executive office
CMA (AAMA) credential
Continuing education
The AAMA is the only organization devoted exclusively to the medical assisting profession. The AAMA acts as the voice of the profession, protecting practice rights and promoting excellence in the field. The AAMA does this by maintaining the highest standards of certification for the CMA (AAMA) credential. It also helps medical assistants stay on top of their game by providing a host of continuing education opportunities.
My activity on the (local/state/national level) has allowed me to contribute my voice in matters that affect every medical assistant.
[Speaker: Insert personal anecdote about your volunteer service or member participation.]
Membership in the AAMA doesn’t just allow you to get involved; it also provides a ton of other benefits.

5. Membership benefits Right to practice
Your membership helps the AAMA provide the security of having an association working to defend your scope-of-practice rights as a medical assistant, and legal counsel ready to answer any on‐the‐job questions. The AAMA stays abreast of federal and state laws regarding the practice of medical assisting. The Chief Executive Officer and Legal Counsel, Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA, writes the Legal Eye blog which provides timely information about scope-of-practice issues happening across the country. The AAMA also looks for partnerships with other organizations to help increase the voice of medical assistants within the health care community.
[Speaker: Provide info about scope-of-practice issues in your area or share a more general piece that showcases Chief Executive Officer Donald Balasa’s activity on behalf of the profession and association. See Legal Eye or these resources and select what might be right to share with your audience: and ]

6. Membership benefits Right to practice Credential verification
More employers are demanding CMA (AAMA) certification of their medical assisting staff.
The AAMA provides credential verification services. Employers can go to the AAMA website and immediately find out the certification status of an individual.
Every day the AAMA responds to more than 100 employer requests for CMA (AAMA) certification verification—for both current and potential employees.
[Speaker: Provide a personal story that reinforces the importance of having the CMA (AAMA) credential and keeping recertified.]

7. Membership benefits Right to practice Credential verification
Professional prestige
You should always mention your memberships in professional organizations when you’re applying for a job. According to The Washington Post, “membership looks great on your résumé. It implies a level of seriousness about your chosen livelihood that’s hard to convey in any other way.”
Your coworkers will also be impressed by your dedication to your profession.
[Speaker: Share a personal story about how your membership has impressed your boss, coworkers, or enhanced your professionalism.]

8. Membership benefits Right to practice Credential verification
Professional prestige
CMA Today
When you join the AAMA you’ll begin receiving a complimentary subscription to CMA Today. That’s a $60 value!
CMA Today is the only magazine that’s devoted entirely to the medical assisting profession. It is published every other month and each issue has news about the association and your profession, health care information, and articles that allow you to accrue continuing education credits.
[Speaker: Talk about an article you’ve read in the magazine that you enjoyed or how the CE articles help you stay up-to-date on CEUs.]

9. Membership benefits Right to practice Credential verification
Professional prestige
CMA Today
Discounts
If you join the AAMA you’ll receive lots of discounts:
CMA Today CEU articles
AAMA self-study publications
Courses on the AAMA e-Learning Center
AAMA Annual Conference
State and local chapter workshops
CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Exam!
Even when you’re tracking your CEU credits you’ll save money. AAMA CEU transcripts are accessible online for members with no transcript fees or long waits. Any updates to your online transcript will be made instantly!
[Speaker: Share how much you’ve saved in a year just by enjoying the member discount prices.]

10. Membership benefits Right to practice Credential verification
Professional prestige
CMA Today
Discounts
Special rates on insurance
Members also get competitive rates on Group Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company.

11. Membership benefits Right to practice Credential verification
Professional prestige
CMA Today
Discounts
Special rates on insurance
Networking
According to About.com, at least 60 percent of all jobs are found through networking, and the AAMA gives you plenty of opportunities!
There are local chapter meetings, state meetings, and even an annual national conference that provide both continuing education and a chance to rub elbows with other medical assistants. It’s a great way to find a mentor or a protégé.
You may even find that you want to become a volunteer at your local, state, or even the national level.
Plus, AAMA social media channels provide a way to communicate with other medical assistants nationwide.
Many longtime members build professional acquaintances and friends that last a lifetime. And, there’s no putting a price on that.
[Speaker: Share an anecdote about getting to know a fellow medical assistant in the AAMA and how you’ve grown professionally because of it.]

12. Online answers AAMA website www.aama-ntl.org
e-Learning Center
Social Media
Subscribe to our e-Newsletter AAMA e-Update
The AAMA has lots of additional information on its website at
If you want to take a look at some of the association’s other online offerings, continuing education courses can be found at the e-Learning Center (
Check out the AAMA social media connections too! Go to the AAMA website and click on the social media icons at the bottom of any AAMA webpage.
Connect with others through Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Follow Legal Eye: On Medical Assisting and subscribe to AAMA e-Update.
Subscribe to the AAMA’s monthly e-newsletter, AAMA e-Update.
To keep abreast of legal issues affecting the profession, tap into the Legal Eye blog by AAMA Chief Executive Officer and Legal Counsel Don Balasa.
[Speaker: Talk about what webpages you visit most on the AAMA website, the convenience of using the e-Learning Center, or an interesting comment or news item recently posted on AAMA social media channels.]

13. Local and state info
[Speaker: Insert any information to share about your local chapter or state society.]

14. Questions?
I’d like to take this time to field any questions you might have about the career, the AAMA, or any other professional questions. I’ll do my best to answer them completely, but if I cannot, I will refer you to the appropriate person.
[Question/Answer session]