Page 28 - OPTA_ACCESS_Fall2019

First House
of Delegates Experience
Lindsey Jubina, SPT
House of Delegates Scholarship Recipient
Upon arriving to the 75th House of Delegates in Chicago, I was told I would be hooked for life . I went into the experience with
no idea what to expect but I left believing the delegate who told me I would be hooked because I was . Leading up to the House
of Delegates, I was involved with the student network with Kate Zenker, SPT Delegate . We would discuss motions that were more controversial or related to us as students . It was amazing to see all of her hard work pay off with the motion proposed by the student assembly amending the physical therapy student oath . Having looked through Packet 1 prior to the House of Delegates, I was able
to understand how to read a motion and understand the language . I was also aware of what the controversial and anticipated to be highly debated motions were .
Entering the first House session, I was very anxious and did
not know what to expect . We had orientation but it was hard
to imagine what it would be like when the room was full of delegates and motions were being discussed . During the House sessions, the 15 other student ushers and myself were kept busy with running messages between delegates . We helped with the ARS devices for voting and made sure they had everything at their seats upon arriving to the House each session . I truly embraced the fact that I was in a room full of 400 people who have such
a passion for physical therapy and the APTA . I was able to meet and have a discussion with Sharon Dunn about her Presidential address she gave on Monday night . She spoke about the student debt crisis and how we need to fix the problem so we can continue to be a successful profession .
The Ohio delegates invited me to all of the meetings and extra events . I was able to sit through the candidate interviews for new board members. I definitely want to be involved someday with the APTA Board of Directors so being able to hear the candidates speak about their experiences, involvement, dedication and passion helped me envision my future within the APTA . I attended their caucus meeting and enjoyed the dialogue about upcoming motions and what they were going to vote or say about each motion .
I am so grateful to have had this experience . I have made connections with students who were fellow ushers or just attending the House of Delegates from all over the country that will be colleagues of mine in the future . I found some great friends who I foresee continuously being involved and working hard to keep our profession thriving and growing . I absolutely love the House of Delegates and everything they do for the APTA and our profession . I hope I can attend the House of Delegates every year and I can’t wait to be a state Delegate in the near future .
28 | September 2019 | OPTA
From left: Student Ushers at APTA House of Delegates; the Ohio Delegation in attendance.