During the past year, the College has continued to promote student involvement in a variety of ACCP activities and services, including attendance at its national meetings. These opportunities provide students with a broad exposure to clinical pharmacy and the chance to participate in ACCP at the national level. In light of the recent economic downturn, encouraging student meeting attendance has been hampered by a major factor: limited student financial resources. ACCP members, the PRNs, and local Chapters all have continued to support the Student Meeting Travel Fund in an effort to alleviate some of the students’ economic burden associated with attending the College’s national meetings.

The Student Meeting Travel Fund provides financial assistance to students who wish to attend an ACCP meeting. Since the debut of the Best Student Poster competition, a growing number of students have expressed interest in submitting posters for presentation and attending ACCP meetings. The number of student registrants, as well as the number of student abstract submissions, continues to increase steadily. In addition, there is a growing range of opportunities for student pharmacists within ACCP, including the opportunity to serve on the National StuNet Advisory Committee. However, students are still confronted with covering the costs of travel, hotel, and meeting registration. ACCP’s Student Meeting Travel Awards help defer a portion of the costs associated with meeting attendance. Member response has been very positive to this new initiative. Since its debut in 2006, nearly 140 students have received student travel awards to support attendance at ACCP national meetings. ACCP members are encouraged to help support these future clinical pharmacists. Most individual members have made contributions of $25 to $100, but any amount will be gratefully accepted! There are three ways members can make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund:

• Contact ACCP Customer Service at (913) 492-3311 to use a credit or debit card to make a contribution.
• Mail a check, payable to “ACCP Student Meeting Travel Fund” to: ACCP, 13000 W. 87th St. Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66215-4530.
• Make a contribution while registering for the 2009 Annual Meeting by indicating the amount you wish to contribute on the meeting registration form.

PRNs or chapters interested in making a donation may contact Jon Poynter, Membership Project Manager, at (913) 492-3311, or e-mail at [email protected]. Remember, your financial support will benefit student pharmacists who might not otherwise be able to attend an ACCP meeting. All funds collected are allocated directly to student travel awards. Administrative costs of managing the awards process are covered by the College’s student membership budget.