How do Communities of Practice in OT Promote Social Learning and Connectivity?

The contribution of members to the running of ADMs goes well beyond presentations by Divisional Council Chairs and selected presentations on topics of current practice.

• The opportunity for members to meet each of the divisional councillors who self-nominate to act as advisors for OTA and facilitate connections with the industry. These members represent the breadth of specialty areas of knowledge, particular pieces of advocacy, or localised areas of practice. • A platform to individually thank members for their voluntary contribution of time, knowledge, and voice in supporting the aims of the association • An experience of direct engagement with OTA leadership–in 2021 this included time connecting with CEO Samantha

Hunter and OTA President Carol McKinstry • An occasion to reflect on individual membership journeys–their value and progression of achievement within the professional community • A showcase of the valuable work of members relevant to their legislative jurisdiction • Insights from member feedback on areas of attention and focus for the association moving forward

NSW Divisional Chair Jess Francis commented on the value of ADMs: “It brings members together to understand what the association is doing, and gives members a chance to provide feedback and network.”

One of the deliberate parallels between the principle of member empowerment in community development models and the structure of OTA ADMs is a format that allows for each of the Divisional Council Chairs to informally report on the activities and intents of their advisory role. Further it is part of a longstanding tradition of self-help and membership capability support that enables the lean staffing structure of the association to achieve substantive and widespread representation of the profession. This aligns with the role of “professions (to) constitute regulations of actions that are relatively long-lasting and make rules of behaviour binding on the basis of values

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The Role of ADMs in OTA Membership’s Community Development

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and norms, and sanctions. They are seen as forming the habitus of particular groups and as symbolically expressing a certain order (Rehberg, 2006)”.

Community engagement through ADMs being online mutually benefits the broader membership by:

• Giving wide access and equity of opportunity for inclusion in open discussions on a range of topics–including changes in the scope of current practice • Providing an informal chance to give feedback to the association on the progression of the profession and any issues of concern • Providing an opportunity to network with peer members in a constructive and strengths-focused environment distinct from their employment context.

“These sessions are invaluable elements of the association functionality in both reflecting on lessons learnt as well as shaping future planning.”

SA Divisional Chair, Elizabeth McHugh

Core to the expression of community development for the OTA membership is the application of the governance framework built on the objectives of the association, and including the constitution and by-laws along with strategic and operation plans. These are designed to work together to ensure the association remains true to its purpose and does not lose sight of its mission to operate as the peak professional body. In order to achieve this, ADMs help to focus members’ attention beyond receipt of individual services to our collective purpose: “The concept of the professional association is fundamentally based on the idea of collaboration, working together collectively to create valuable outcomes (Dawson, 2016).”

Evolving our operations approach to ADMs so all members can engage with the Divisional Councils at the same time via online portals further aligns our practice with the community development principles of participation, access and equity. Moving forward, Divisional Councils’ quarterly sessions being held online (since mid2020) has further extended our inclusive approach to active membership–with a direct link to the increase in the breadth of practice areas represented on the Divisional Councils since this change. With Zoom discussions on collective action, advocacy preparations, and networking a now familiar OTA engagement opportunity, our support for timely participation is increasing.

The contribution of members to the running of ADMs goes well beyond presentations by Divisional Council Chairs and selected presentations on topics of current practice. Members witness the ‘test of value’ of OTA divisions, and can provide trusted, expert, current, influential feedback on their assessment of the relevance of the association, reflective of aggregate perspectives. We understand our influence comes from professional representation of the expertise offered by members’ information, knowledge, skills, and experiences. We are pleased to have received positive and constructive feedback from members who feel the ADMs were worth their involvement, and that members can still rely on informal and formal association alliances to achieve full community participation.

Recent SA Divisional Chair Elizabeth McHugh reflected on her time leading the advisory group of members from students to seasoned practice leaders: “The OTA 2021 SA ADM provided an opportunity to thank the dedicated time, expertise, and insights of the Divisional Council members. Without their generous commitment to the profession and volunteering for the association, the Divisional Council is unable to carry out our function of keeping communications channels across the profession open and speaking up when the membership has been impacted by changes in industry and/or policy. These sessions are invaluable elements of the association functionality in both reflecting on lessons learnt as well as shaping future planning.”

Importantly, we also received acknowledgement from employers of occupational therapists who are aware of, and attracted to, the value base of OTA following the hosting of the 2021 ADMs. We welcome the breadth of input from members and their colleagues moving forward. Continuing to empower and support members to take on representation roles in line with community development principles will certainly aid the sustainability of the association and further build capability to generate community benefits.

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