EIGHT REASONS TO JOIN TAPS:

1. EDUCATION:
   • Only organization in Texas providing specific patient advocacy training
   • Meetings and training opportunities are free or at member-discounted rates
   • Offered annually, in a statewide conference, and at regional meetings
   • Programs target self-improvement and business development topics
2. BENCHMARKING:
   • TAPS has representation from nearly every major hospital and healthcare system in Texas
   • TAPS is affilliated with the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy, our national organization, for the purpose of "bringing home" some of the other best practices throughout the US.
   • Opportunities to network and share accomplishments with fellow patient advocates.
3. ACCESS:
   
   • Business contacts
   • Network with other healthcare advocates at regional and state meetings
   • Enhance knowlege and relationships by working together on committees and projects.
   • Your business is referred 24-7 online as well as by phone, fax, or email.
   • Access member information in the Members Only area of the TAPS Website
4. EXCHANGE:
   • Visibility: Expose your organization and yourself to a wider group of healthcare professionals and provider companies.
   • Enhance your name recognition.
   • Expand your professional self-worth with listings on the world-wide web through the online members-only link.
   • Share ideas, experiences and information with colleagues who face the same challenges in a rapidly-changing industry.
5. RECOGNITION:
   • Receive peer recognition of skills and knowledge through the AnnaMary Lindsey Award and other achievement awards.
   • Take your personal career to the next level with TAPS Mentor program.
6. NETWORKING: 
   • Meet and network with patient advocates, medical interpreters, and other healthcare professionals from all over the state of Texas.
   • Enlarge business networking.
   • Participate in the TAPS annual state conference and dynamic regional meetings.
   • Meet sponsors and gain knowledge of services available to you and your organization.
   • Building Relationships: In the era of relationship marketing, building relationships with other professionals in the healthcare and patient services industry is essential to your personal and organizational development.
7. NEWS: 
   • Heighten your knowledge of the healthcare industry by reading The Advocate, TAPS' quarterly newsletter, and Texas Hospitals, the bi-monthly magazine of the Texas Hospital Association .
   • Stay informed on changing local, state, and federal policies, upcoming legislative changes affecting healthcare, and how we as an organization may impact healthcare in Texas.
8. IMPACT:
   • Lead by example.
   • Learn how to take your department to the next level.
   • Share professional experiences and set development goals
   • Community – Helping Others: Extend a hand to assist another.
   • Be a mentor. Share with others your experience and how you achieved your goals.
   • Make a Difference: Be part of the solution instead of the problem.
   • Help move individuals and organizations forward towards future progress.
   • Learn how to take your department to the next level.
   • Share professional experiences and set development goals.
   • Speak your mind. Direct attention to those things that need improvement in our organizations and our industry.
   • Involvement: Voice your opinions.
   • Learn what others think and then work towards common goals of education and industry improvement in committees, task forces, and community projects.