TR: Why is this work important?
Dr. Breland: Without members, you don’t have a membership organization. The ARP is the interprofessional division of the College. In most instances, ARP members come from professions that have their own professional associations. For myself, that would be the American Occupational Therapy Association. However, because of my passion for rheumatology, the ARP is also a professional home for me. And the ACR is the only U.S.-based professional organization that is home to all disciplines working in rheumatology.
It’s important rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals know about the ARP and appreciate the many member benefits across the College and from the Rheumatology Research Foundation that can enhance their professional development. ARP member benefits are relevant to the entire rheumatology team, including researchers, therapists (OT and PT), health educators, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, administrators and others. We are a diverse group, with more than 22 constituencies.
TR: What advances did the committee make in 2019 that you hope to continue to grow and evolve in this coming year?
Dr. Breland: This year, the Membership and Nominations Committee will implement the alignment, standardization and transparency of the ARP membership and nomination processes developed in 2019, facilitating a clear pathway of engagement for all members seeking a volunteer placement.
It’s also important that we inform the ARP membership that the nomination cycle for 2021 ARP volunteer opportunities [was] open until Feb. 1, 2020. All ARP members who plan to volunteer … are required to complete an online ARP volunteer nomination application. In addition, potential volunteers are required to submit a current résumé or [curriculum vitae] as documentation of the skills and expertise that reflect their qualifications as the best nominee for their preferred and ranked volunteer positions. Moreover, members must submit the annual ACR conflict of interest form as a component of the nominations process.
These changes promote alignment of processes across the College. We wanted to ensure consistency of ARP volunteer term limits, along with standardization and transparency, making the nomination processes more objective.
TR: How does the committee plan to reach new members in 2020?
Dr. Breland: We took a very strategic approach in 2018–19 to identify the priorities necessary to grow the ARP membership. To start, we increased awareness of the ARP within the College—beginning with members of ACR’s board of directors. Then we collegially challenged those same board members to ensure the rheumatology professionals in their clinics and on their teams joined the ARP. It’s essential to reach non-members to become members by enhancing their understanding of member benefits, the added value of ARP membership and the return on investment of being an engaged member volunteer.
