Getting involved in organized medicine—through the California Medical Association (CMA) and your local county medical society—is also an investment in yourself: in your career, in your well-being and in your profession.

Succeed

1. Get paid. Highly trained economic advocates with expertise in physician reimbursement and medical business issues are available to provide one-on-one help to improve your bottom line.
2. Earn free CME. CMA's robust webinar series gives physicians and their staff the opportunity to watch live presentations on important topics of interest from the comfort of their homes or offices. Many of these FREE webinars also offer CME!
3. Receive FREE legal help and information. CMA’s legal help line provides immediate assistance to members with questions on human resources, medical, regulatory or legal issues. Members also have free access to CMA's comprehensive legal library for information on hundreds of health care topics.
4. Attend timely seminars. CMA's experts travel around the state, giving live presentations on current health care topics.
5. Stay in the know. CMA and your local county medical society produce a number of publications to keep members up to date on the latest health care news and information affecting the practice of medicine in California.

Connect

1. Get empowered. Many issues feel overwhelming in the isolation of your office – but you don't have to face the challenges alone. Getting involved with CMA or your county medical society will help you feel empowered to make a difference.
2. Network with colleagues at hosted events throughout the year.
3. Improve your community with volunteer opportunities at health fairs and community clinics.
4. Champion community health through the CMA Foundation. Innovative partnerships with physicians and community leaders provide CMA members the training and tools to make a difference.
5. Get help. If you or a family member need confidential help with problems of alcoholism, drug dependence or mental illness, the Physicians' and Dentists' Confidential Assistance Line is a 24-hour service that provides completely confidential doctor-to-doctor assistance. Call (650) 756-7787 (northern California) or (213) 383-2691 (southern California).
6. Earn FREE membership! CMA members who sign up three to four new members will get a 50 percent discount on their dues the following year. Recruit five or more and get free membership.

Lead

1. Influence CMA’s advocacy agenda by serving in the House of Delegates or on councils and committees. Help establish CMA policies on major issues that affect the practice of medicine.

2. Join CMA's sections and forums based on your career phase and mode of practice. Positions are available for physicians, students and residents to serve as officers, trustees or CMA delegates.
3. Run for office within your county medical society and/or CMA. There are many leadership positions for physicians who want to get involved—including Boards of Directors and Executive Committees.
4. Get elected to the State Legislature or Congress. The CMA Political Action Committee (CALPAC) helps physicians get involved in the state legislature and Congress, as well as supports candidates and legislators who understand and embrace the profession. Even if you don't intend to run for office, you can join the fight to keep medical decisions where they belong: in your well-trained hands.

Impact

1. Influence elected officials and policymakers. CMA's Legislative Key Contacts build relationships, receive action alerts and educate lawmakers to ensure decisions are guided by medical experts.

2. Help shape CMA policy. Not enough time to serve on a council or committee? Members can still participate in the development of CMA policy by testifying quarterly on resolutions and reports.
3. Author a resolution. Members are encouraged to submit policy ideas for consideration by CMA councils and committees.
4. Advocate for your patients and your profession. CMA gives members the tools, training and opportunities to make an impact on proposed laws and regulations.
5. Improve quality of care. Serve as a surveyor, committee member or educator for the Institute for Medical Quality’s (IMQ) accreditation programs.
6. Be the voice of medicine. CMA Media Ambassadors are trained to play a critical role in making sure that physicians have a strong voice in the public sphere.
7. Influence the debate on social media. Engage with CMA, your local medical society and colleagues on social media—share, retweet and tag! Follow CMA at @cmaphysicians across all social platforms.