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History

Since 1987, the American Geriatrics Society has worked to establish a presence at the grass roots level. The growing number of AGS state affiliates has increased the visibility of geriatric medicine throughout the country. The majority of AGS affiliates began with only a few individuals who were concerned about providing quality health care to the elderly. These individuals generally had at least one goal in mind, such as establishing an educational and professional network, improving the quality of geriatrics education in their area, or making an impact on public policy issues.

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) launched the state affiliate program in 1991 through the efforts of a number of committed members. The group is called the Council of State Affiliate Representatives (COSAR). The initial purpose in establishing state affiliates was to: 1) to identify and recruit local leaders who would promote clinical geriatrics; 2) to establish a local AGS presence across the country; and, 3) to identify future national leaders. To date, there are over 24 established state affiliates.

The Council of State Affiliate Representatives (COSAR) is the governing body of the AGS state affiliates, referred to as the Council. Two representatives, the Co-Chairs, serve on the AGS Board of Directors for a three-year term. The Co-Chairs, by reporting to the AGS board, represent the Council as it relates to issues affecting affiliate membership organizations. These issues include development, membership, public policy and advocacy, and other affiliate business. The Council is comprised of member representatives from each of the proposed, provisional, and active affiliates. Provisional and active affiliates have voting rights.

The Council meets biannually in order to exchange information on affiliate activities, and to share new ideas on development, advocacy, education, membership, public policy and other affiliate business. Below is the basic criteria for state affiliate status:

1. An active or provisional affiliate, that has formal approval from the Council and the AGS Board of Directors, is eligible to elect one representative to COSAR.
2. The elected representative to COSAR from the affiliate must be a member of the AGS; only affiliate members who are also AGS members are eligible to vote.
3. An affiliate's COSAR representative will serve a three-year term. Terms longer than three years are up to the discretion of the affiliate. COSAR Co-Chairs must approve the extended term.

AGS and COSAR leadership recognize the integral role that affiliates can play in advancing professional understanding of geriatrics locally as well as increasing public awareness of the benefits geriatricians and the healthcare team provide patients and caregivers. The AGS is committed to strengthening the affiliate program and to establish COSAR as an important, deliberative body that promotes geriatrics on the local level through education, clinical practice, research, and public policy.

To advocate for geriatricians and geriatrics health care professionals within the AGS affiliates and serve as their voice.

The mission of COSAR is to promote professional development, recognition, and to further enhance the care of older adults. To accomplish this, COSAR will set organizational standards, and develop processes for the operation of affiliates. Additionally, COSAR will provide a forum in which affiliate representatives can exchange ideas, discuss public policy issues, and communicate and collaborate with the American Geriatrics Society.

• To present resolutions to the AGS Board concerning local, regional, state, and national public policy issues.
• To assist in the identification of continuing education needs.
• To submit ideas to the AGS Board regarding national society activities (e.g., membership status, dues) for review and consideration.
• To promote honorary recognition for individuals, organizations, institutions, and programs that have achieved excellence in geriatric education, public policy, and health care.
• To recommend policies and procedures for the administration of provisional and state affiliates.
• To offer implementation and operational strategies for provisional and state affiliates.
• To provide direction and assistance to affiliates for the purpose of fostering membership growth across all disciplines, sustaining momentum, and supporting affiliates.
• To recommend new affiliates and reformulation of current affiliates to the AGS Board of Directors.
• To serve as the vehicle for the dissemination of continuing medical education programs among the various affiliates.