Become a State or Regional Coordinator

Responsibilities and Time Commitment

As a state/regional coordinator, you are responsible for the organization, operation, and administration of Tar Wars in your state or region. You are also strongly encouraged to hold an annual state poster contest. At times, you may need to implement fund raising or media/public relations efforts in order to run your program.

Your involvement, at any level, is necessary for Tar Wars to accomplish its mission of providing children with tobacco-free education. The amount of time you will be able to dedicate to coordinating a Tar Wars program in your state depends on several factors.

1. Is it part of your current job description?

2. Do you work for an AAFP constituent chapter that supports the program?

3. Are you in a residency program, medical school, or with a health department?

4. Will your role be a full-time or part-time effort?

5. Do you have support staff or other volunteers to assist you?

6. Are resources such as copy and fax machines, Internet access, and e-mail capability available to you?

Your answers to these questions play a part in the level of commitment you are able to bring to the position.

Getting Started

Once you have made the decision to become a coordinator, whether it's on a volunteer basis, written into your job description, or as part of your residency rotation, you will need to read through the coordinator guidelines and tool kit sent to you by the AAFP Tar Wars.

At the end of the Tar Wars calendar year, which is concurrent with the school academic year, you will need to submit a year-end summary, which provides the Tar Wars national office with feedback and statistics on the program in your state.

Your participation as a coordinator is greatly appreciated. Your efforts at the state level help Tar Wars achieve our goal of reaching more of our nation's fourth- and fifth-grade students. We thank you for dedicating yourself to supporting the Tar Wars mission and spreading the tobacco-free message.

Coordinator Sessions at Tar Wars National Conference

This annual event provides an education in implementing and coordinating a successful Tar Wars program. Networking opportunities and sessions on program management, grant writing, and sharing best practices are offered. The conference is open to new and seasoned coordinators, as well as other health care professionals and educators who may be coordinating Tar Wars or other tobacco prevention programs on a local or regional level.