ORGANIZING A RECRUITMENT NETWORK

1. ORGANIZING A RECRUITMENT NETWORK Presented by Dennis Burns Saint Vincent Health, Erie PA dennisburns@svhs.org Chair, ASPR Regional Development

2. “Any Association of Physician Recruiters”: An Inhouse Primer 2007 How do you do it? Why would you do it? What should you do now? Who will stand up and be counted?

3. Two key items for success: Enthusiasm and Organization • 1.Get a cheerleader (or two) (core of six?) • 2.Have a support system for organization You must have a few folks who wave the banner for all to follow, a few good cheerleaders and conductors. You must have an organization behind you and with you to do the routine connections and meeting organizing.

4. Who among you likes to smile, to be in the forefront, to talk, to press the flesh and kiss the babies?Is there an organization in your states/provinces, that now exists, that you can tap into for organizational support? No reason to reinvent the wheel or go it alone.

5. What is the purpose of your group (of any recruiter network?) • Determine why you exist • Who are your constituents? • What do you want to accomplish? - at regular meetings - on the Web - at annual conferences - in networking • What are you short term goals? Long term? • How are you unique among other networks? • Complete a membership needs survey?

6. Core outcomes of a network • Formal and informal networking • Sharing of best practices; knowledge exchange; storytelling; what works and does not work • Understand this: you are not alone! • Share candidate CV’s; obtain leads • Learn tips from experienced recruiters and retainers • Share forms and processes: the wheel has been invented; improve it but don’t reinvent it • Call your new friends for help, advice and data

7. Core network outcomes (cont.) • Have educational forums (annual meeting, WebBoard, recruitment and retention manual, regular member meetings) • Use the Internet to the max (discussion group, membership lists, website resources, posting practice opportunities, links with other sites) • Enhance our industry (promote inhouse recruitment v. outhouse agencies, target your residents/fellows in state – keep them in your region) • Have TONS of FUN!! It indeed IS about relationships, about joy and fulfillment in what we do.

8. Some notable pitfalls: from experience… • Lack of strategic direction, goals, planning – hold a “Planning Retreat” annually • Inconsistent leadership or “bad” leadership • Not enough behind-the-scenes worker bees (too many chiefs, too many ideas) • Lack of “core” persons to carry the flag year to year – burnout, too busy, etc. • Lack of necessary funding – ‘everything we want to do costs so dang much’ • Forgetting your first love: what brought you all together in the first place, your core values and purpose.

9. Tips on network meetings • Hold them routinely: Quarterly? Annual not enough to truly network/build relationships • Use outside speakers at each meeting: Topics of interest to your members; get them gratis, local. • Rotate meeting places or centralize? • Take notes/minutes and post on website • Make all handouts available to all members • Designate block of time for active networking at each meeting • Bring forms to share: CVs, best practices, etc.

10. Tips on Internet and Website • Make maximum use of the Internet! • Discussion group/chat room just for your members – local issues, concerns, questions • Use your own Website for all announcements, information with links to other sites. Purpose? For docs or for you? • Put someone or a small group in charge (don’t leave it to chance; won’t get done) • Use resources already available: state medical society or university or hospital association (no need to reinvent the wheel)

11. Tips on Educational Forums • Annual conference – not too much or too little; just right • Make it meaty, not just for networking; use speakers, roundtables, panels, etc. • Focus on retention and recruitment equally • Consider vendors to sponsor/exhibit: they provide services and products and subsidy • Keep it to two days max – balance b/t time well spent and time out of the office • Consider adding a “job fair” to the conference • Have both ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ networking • Bill it as a time to regroup, refresh, get energized

12. What about Job Fairs? • A great asset to networking and association development: common goal, work as a team • Brings concrete results to the network; supports core mission/purpose; aids in meeting justification with administration • Takes a lot of time and energy! Oodles of organization, enthusiasm and some upfront money. Indeed, the devil is in the details. Consider linking with an existing job fair organization. • Focus your campaign on residents and inpractice docs with ties to your states/region: one stop shopping for candidates. Have educational sessions for them as well (CVs, finances, etc.) • Check with MINK, INSPR, UMPR and ISPR for details on how it works.

13. Network costs and operations • Operationally, do you want a loose knit network or elected officers/bylaws/401c3? • Financial support from vendors/sponsors? • Memberships dues of $100/year and annual educational conference of $150 and job fair of $500/booth = $5-10,000 in the bank in a few years. Can then use for members needs. • Annual Ed. Program costs = $12,000+ and minimal profit • Job Fair costs = $3500 and $1500 profit • Regular network meetings are breakeven

14. Up and Running Recruiter Networks • Ohio (ONPR) www.ohanet.org • Wisconsin (WSPR) • Michigan (MRRN) www.mrrn.org • North West Staff Physician Recruiters – NWSPR (www.nwspr.net) (OR, WA, MT, ID, WY) • Illinois (ISPR) www.isprnet.org • Indiana (INSPR) • Mid-Atlantic (MAPRA) (MD, PA, NJ, DC, VA, WV) • MINK (MO, IA, NE, KS) www.mink-midwest.org • North East (NEPRA) www.nepra.org • Canada (CASPR) CanadianAssoc. of Staff Physician Recruiters (www.caspr.ca) • Carolinas (CAPS) (www.capsnet.org) • South Dakota (SDRPN) (www.sdprnet.org) • Upper Midwest – UMPR

15. Kentucky/Tennessee Florida GOT NEED? www.aspr.org TX/OK/LA Rocky Mountain Region SouthWest Region = CA/UT/HI/AZ/NV Up and coming networks/groups

16. *What is the future for your group?* What can you do this year to enhance your current network?*Who will step up to the plate?*How will you maintain continuity year after year?* How can you tie-in to other networks, learn from them, share your successes?* Join ASPR’s Regional Development Committee – have fun!