Policy and elections

The APhA–ASP Policy Process is one of the most important activities a student pharmacist member can participate in because it provides you with the opportunity to influence the direction of student pharmacist programming, the association, and the profession.

Policy development is how we create common goals that advance our profession and ultimately better serve our patients!

All APhA–ASP Adopted Resolutions, everything from provider status to interprofessional education, began as an idea brought forth by an individual member. Visit the APhA–ASP Policy Process for a full overview from start to finish.

MRM Policy Process Timeline

The One Chapter...One Resolution process provides each APhA–ASP Chapter with the opportunity to bring one of their members’ ideas forward to the APhA–ASP MRM.

Here is an overview of the MRM Policy Process Timeline:

Idea Generating and Policy Development: Although just one proposed resolution will be finalized for discussion at MRM, chapters can submit two proposed resolutions to the Regional Delegate 4 weeks prior to the start of the MRM.

The secondary proposed resolution will serve as an alternate proposal to be used if the primary proposal is similar to one proposed by another chapter in the region or is already included in adopted policy.

Action items: Start brainstorming! What problems do you encounter at school, work, or rotation? Does your curriculum prepare you for the workforce? What patient care services would you provide if nothing stood in your way?

Submit your proposed resolutions: Each chapter submits your proposed resolution to your regional delegate by the following deadline:

Region 1–4 - Friday, October 9, 2026

Region 5–8 - Friday, October 16, 2026

Regional webinar: A webinar will be conducted 3 weeks prior to MRM to discuss the proposed resolutions and identify opportunities for collaboration within the region. Each chapter will have the opportunity to present their proposed resolutions to the region for a period of 2 minutes. Attendees will then be provided with an opportunity to comment, ask questions, and discuss any potential collaborative opportunities between chapters. After the webinar, your regional delegate will help organize these collaborations.

Action items: Designate at least one person from the chapter to attend this webinar (chapter policy vice president or chapter president). However, the webinar is open to all chapter members who would like to participate, so give your chapter members the opportunity to participate.

Final language due: After attending the webinar and potentially combining proposed resolutions with other chapters within your region, your one final proposed resolution is due to your regional delegate.

Regions 1–4 - Friday, October 23, 2026

Regions 5–8 - Friday, October 30, 2026

Proposed resolutions sent to chapters: A document with the proposed resolutions will be sent to the chapters no later than the Friday 1 week prior to the start of MRM.

Action items: Hold a general meeting to discuss the proposed resolutions with chapter members so that those unable to attend MRM still have an opportunity to ask questions and voice opinions.

APhA–ASP Policy Proposal Forum:

This is an open forum where anyone in attendance may discuss the proposed resolutions.

This is your time to ask questions and make your voice heard. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Chapter Discusses Proposed Resolutions - Saturday afternoon:

After the Policy Proposal Forum, meet as a chapter to discuss what was said and decide how the chapter wants to vote on each resolution.

Chapters will not be voting on the proposed resolutions during the MRM Regional Business Forum on Sunday morning. Instead, following the APhA–ASP Policy Proposal Forum, chapters will have until midnight on Saturday to vote on the proposed resolutions online. A link to your region's online voting form will be available at the MRM.

Regional Delegates Meeting in Washington, DC: If you feel strongly about a particular proposed resolution that passed at the MRM, tell your regional delegate about it. They are responsible for representing the region and bringing the resolutions from the regional level to the national level to be voted upon by the APhA–ASP House of Delegates during the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition each spring.

Once passed by the House, those resolutions will become adopted policy of APhA–ASP, representing the collective voice of student pharmacists. Those resolutions are then implemented by the APhA–ASP Policy Standing Committee and APhA–ASP National Executive Committee.

Register today for your regional webinar. Each chapter will have the opportunity to present their proposed resolutions to the region for a period of 2 minutes.

Attendees will then be provided with an opportunity to comment, ask questions, and discuss any potential collaborative opportunities between chapters. After the webinar, your Regional Delegate will help organize these collaborations.

Please designate at least one person from your chapter to attend (chapter policy vice president, MRM chapter delegate, or chapter president). However, the webinar is open to all chapter members who would like to participate.

Coming soon!

Contact your APhA–ASP Regional Delegate and APhA–ASP National Policy Standing Committee.

If you have any questions or concerns about the APhA–ASP Policy Process or submitting your proposed resolution at the Midyear Regional Meeting, please contact your APhA–ASP regional delegate or a member of the APhA–ASP Policy Standing Committee.

• APhA–ASP MRM Policy Forms, Handouts and Resources
• APhA–ASP Policy Process: MRM Guide for Chapter Delegates and Attendees
• APhA–ASP MRM Tips for Successfully Developing Proposed Resolutions
• APhA–ASP MRM Rules of Procedure
• APhA–ASP MRM Proposed Resolution Form
• APhA–ASP MRM New Business Item Form
• APhA–ASP Adopted Resolutions (Policy Book)
• APhA–ASP Capsule: The Policy Process in in Detail
• Please contact a member of the APhA Student Development staff if you have any questions or concerns at APhA-ASP@APhAnet.org.
• APhA–ASP MRM Proposed Resolutions for Discussion at the Policy Proposal Forum

Chapter leaders and all attendees are highly encouraged to participate in the debate and ask their questions during the APhA–ASP Policy Proposal Forum on Saturday morning. Below are the final proposed resolutions and background statements that will be discussed at your MRM.

Please contact a member of the APhA Student Development staff, APhA–ASP national officer, or your APhA–ASP regional delegate if you have any questions or concerns.

Example: Region 1 - Proposed Resolutions Final Report

Serving as an APhA–ASP regional officer is a rewarding opportunity for both personal and professional growth. Elected by their peers, regional officers serve as student pharmacist leaders and representatives within the national professional association, helping shape the future of the profession.

At times, serving as a regional officer may be a very demanding job, but the position is meant to complement, not compete with educational responsibilities. A regional officer's education always takes higher priority.

APhA–ASP regional officers are to remain in their first professional degree program during the term of office. Regional officers occasionally are required to attend meetings and conferences during the school year.

Any member of APhA–ASP is eligible to seek nomination for an elected position at the local, regional, and national level.

1. Discuss the opportunity of running for regional office with your chapter advisor, chapter president, and Chapter Executive Committee prior to completing an application for regional office. All candidates must be of sound moral and ethical judgment and must have the full support of the chapter advisor(s) at their school or college of pharmacy.
2. Complete an official Application for Elected Regional Office. The application must be signed by the chapter advisor of the applicant’s school or college of pharmacy, and an unofficial transcript must accompany the application for it to be considered complete.
3. Participate in the following events at the MRM:
   1. Participate in the "Meet the Candidates" during the MRM Expo
   2. Provide a speech during the Regional Business Forum
   3. (If elected) Participate in the Incoming/Outgoing Regional Officer Meeting

Campaign materials: Candidates are allowed to prepare and present a two-dimensional poster (no larger than 24” x 36” or 36” x 24”) with their qualifications and platform. Easels will be provided at the MRM for candidates to display their poster. It is highly recommended that posters have a foam or cardboard back to support the poster. Candidates are responsible for their posters throughout the meeting. No promotional materials that include descriptions of candidate qualifications or platforms may be distributed at any time during the MRM. “Giveaway” promotional materials must be approved by APhA staff prior to distribution at the MRM. Examples of acceptable items include buttons, stickers, and ribbons.

• Regional Officer Procedure and Application
• Regional Officer Responsibilities