ARHP Needs You!

I would like to personally invite every ARHP member to consider volunteering for an ARHP committee, task force, or other volunteer opportunity. Volunteer opportunities are available to all ARHP members, including international and associate members. Volunteering in ARHP is stimulating, rewarding, and a lot of fun!

ARHP is the premier professional organization for rheumatology health professionals primarily because of the talent and energy of its volunteers and staff. ARHP needs both new and experienced volunteers in order to continue our mission, meet new challenges, and grow as an organization. Each and every ARHP member brings unique talents, abilities, and expertise to our organization and we need your participation.

I joined ARHP in 1993, and the next year I was appointed to the Practice Subcommittee. It was such a great experience that I have been volunteering in some capacity ever since. I have found volunteering in ARHP to be extremely rewarding, both personally and professionally. Volunteering on various ARHP and ACR committees has helped me to increase my professional knowledge and has given me insights into the perspectives of other disciplines. This, in turn, has helped me to be a better practitioner in providing care to my patients.

Volunteering in ARHP provides you with opportunities to share your knowledge, expertise, and ideas with rheumatology colleagues in a fun and inspiring atmosphere. Some of the benefits of volunteering in ARHP include opportunities for:

• Professional networking and interprofessional collaboration;
• Establishing new friendships;
• Discovering new talents and skills;
• Enhancing your leadership skills; and
• Influencing the practice of rheumatology health professionals and ultimately the quality of care and health outcomes for persons with rheumatic diseases.

There are many ways for members to become involved in ARHP, such as volunteering to serve on a committee or task force, moderate a session at the ARHP annual scientific meeting, review annual scientific meeting abstracts, review research grants or Arthritis Care & Research articles, or contribute to other ARHP projects.

Committees, task forces, reviewers, and annual meeting moderators are selected each summer and begin their term immediately following the fall annual scientific meeting. Occasionally, other time-limited tasks arise throughout the year, and a list of potential volunteers is extremely helpful for filling all vacancies. ARHP constantly strives to achieve a balance of new and experienced volunteers representing a broad mix of professional disciplines and geographic areas.

To view the many ARHP volunteer opportunities and complete a volunteer form, visit the ARHP Leadership Opportunities page at www.rheumatology.org/arhp.

I would be happy to talk with you about ARHP volunteer opportunities.

Kerr is president of ARHP and a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Contact her via e-mail at arhp@rheumatology.org.