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 AMWA objectives
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To bring together persons who are interested in any aspect of communication in the science and allied health professions |
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To promote standards of excellence in biomedical communication |
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To inform and encourage those committed to improving the quality and effectiveness of biomedical communication |
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To provide educational opportunities that lead to, support, and enhance excellence in biomedical communication |
Who belongs in AMWA?
If you write, edit, or are employed in the field of biomedical communication as a teacher or as a specialist in multimedia, public relations, advertising, or marketing, you belong in AMWA. AMWA enhances the professionalism of freelance medical writers and editors and of those employed by a hospital, medical school, clinic, health sciences centre, foundation, or nonprofit association, or by a pharmaceutical, medical communication, or biotechnology company.
Membership in AMWA is open to anyone interested in any aspect of biomedical communication. Student membership is available to full-time students. For more information about student membership, download the AMWA Student Advantage brochure.
Benefits of membership
Publications
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AMWA Freelance Directory, published in print every other year and available to members and subscribers at the AMWA website |
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AMWA Journal, published five times a year (four regular issues and one postconference issue) |
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AMWA Membership Directory, published once a year |
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Job Market Sheet, published 10 times a year, in print and online, and covering opportunities vacant and opportunities wanted, largely in the United States |
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Announcements of awards and competitions are also available at the AMWA Web site |
Conferences
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AMWA Annual Conference |
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Annual conferences and retreats sponsored by individual chapters, which any AMWA member may attend |
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Other events held by individual chapters, which are usually open to any AMWA member who may be in the vicinity |
Professional opportunities
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Continuing education through the AMWA Core and Advanced curricula at the AMWA Annual Conference and selected chapter events |
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Technical assistance with work-related issues |
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Information about and referral to employment opportunities |
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Experience teaching workshops |
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Experience contributing to a professional association through becoming a Board of Directors delegate or a committee member |
About the Canada Chapter of AMWA
All of AMWA's nearly two dozen chapters are in the United States — except the Canada Chapter, which was founded in the early 1980s. The Canada Chapter's members are not only spread across the largest geographic area of any AMWA chapter, but also represent a broad spectrum of professional interest in medical communication.
As a member of AMWA who lives in Canada you benefit from membership in a dynamic international organization and enjoy professional services, support and education in Canada.
AMWA-Canada has a listserv, an e-mail-based discussion group through which members discuss issues important to them, consult each other informally and network. Employers and recruiters also post contract and employment opportunities on the
listserv.
AMWA-Canada Web site, including a “members-only” area with contract and employment postings of interest to
members.
Workshop days, seminars and networking events throughout the year, usually in Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal.
Networking through face-to-face informal meetings, telephone and fax, as well as e-mail.
The professional opportunities offered by AMWA membership — but close to home. If you would like further information about Canada Chapter, please contact
info@amwa-canada.ca.
How to become an AMWA member
The Canada chapter of AMWA is a chapter like any other, despite the fact that we are located in a different country. That means if you live in Canada and would like to join AMWA, you do so through the head office in the United States. All the application information you need can be found at on the AMWA Web site. You may also contact AMWA Headquarters for a membership information packet, which includes an application form and information on member benefits and services. In either case, please mention that you were referred by the Canada Chapter Web site.
AMWA Headquarters
40 West Gude Drive, Suite 101
Rockville MD 20850-1192, USA
T: 301-294-5303
F: 301-294-9006
E: amwa@amwa.org
W: www.amwa.org
Please note the following:
AMWA membership dues are in US funds, even though we're a Canadian chapter. Canadian citizens will need to send an international money order, a cheque in US dollars drawn on a US bank or call in your Visa number to the phone number listed above.
As a member of the AMWA-Canada chapter, you are also a general member of AMWA and receive all the benefits of that membership, including:
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All mailings |
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Access to Job Hotline |
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Eligibility to enroll in Core and Advanced Curriculum Programs |
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Ability to register for any AMWA conference or event at the AMWA member rates |
If you live in Canada and join AMWA, you will automatically be placed in the Canada chapter unless you indicate that you would prefer to be in another chapter.
Most AMWA Canada events take place in Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, or Toronto.
Some Canadian AMWA members living out West opt to join the Northwest chapter because most of the events for that chapter take place in Seattle, which is closer to Western Canadian cities.
The chapter you belong to affects the following:
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Which email group you are automatically assigned to |
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Which chapter newsletter you automatically receive (if that chapter puts out a newsletter – currently the Canada chapter does not) |
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Which chapter benefits from your dues |
The chapter you belong to does not affect you eligibility to attend events put on by other chapters. All AMWA members, no matter what chapter they belong to, can attend any AMWA event put on by any chapter, as a member.
If you are a member of one chapter but happen to live close to another and would like to receive the newsletter or be part of the email group of that chapter, just contact that chapter and ask to be added to their mailing list. Contact information for all chapters can be found on the
AMWA Website.
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