Benefits of Volunteering
In talking with other volunteers, I found that my experiences were very similar to theirs. The overwhelming majority of them said that, by far, the most appealing aspect of volunteering for the ACR is the relationships they have built with their rheumatology colleagues, colleagues they might otherwise never have had the chance to meet. The opportunity to interact with friends and colleagues from around the country to make a positive impact on the future of rheumatology is a truly special experience.
The ACR affords unique opportunities to learn, firsthand, about the professional challenges and rewards associated with the varied career paths of our rheumatology colleagues, paths that may be very different from our own. Through these interactions, clinicians can gain a deeper understanding of rheumatology careers in research, and vice-versa; academic rheumatologists can gain a better understanding of careers in private practice, and vice-versa; and so on. Together these interactions promote cohesion of our specialty and underscore the fact that we have a great deal in common, as rheumatologists, regardless of our chosen career path.
In addition to networking, serving as a volunteer for the ACR also allows you to work as part of a team, finding solutions to the challenges facing the rheumatology specialty. This is of critical importance because no one understands these challenges better than rheumatologists who experience them every day. Without the work of our committed and engaged volunteers, the rheumatology specialty could not thrive.
The benefit of acquiring leadership experience through volunteer work is another undeniable advantage of volunteering for the ACR. My own ability to lead a team, facilitate problem-solving discussions, and engage in strategic planning has definitely been enhanced by my work on ACR committees.
Volunteering Now
Now that I have, hopefully, piqued your interest in volunteering, let me give you some tips on how to get involved. The first step is to learn about those opportunities best suited to your particular interests and skills. You can find this information on the ACR Web site.If you are passionate about something, let us know by volunteering through the ACR’s online nomination process. Although the perfect opportunity for you may not be immediately available, we will keep you in mind when the right opportunity does come along. You are also encouraged to remind us of your continued interest and to let us know if your interests change over time. Although not required, it is helpful to include letters of recommendation from colleagues who can speak to your interests and skills when you formally apply. If you do volunteer but are not selected for a committee immediately, please do not become discouraged. It is more art than science to ensure we select the best candidates for each position, especially when there are a limited number of positions each year relative to the number of people who apply. The committee must also carefully consider the gender and ethnic diversity of the membership and work to ensure there is an appropriate balance of rheumatologists in practice, education, and research and academic and private practice and an appropriate geographic representation, as well as a multitude of other factors.
