Now’s Your Chance to Join an ACR Committee

Volunteers who serve on the ACR’s committees and subcommittees are a vital component of the organization’s ability to respond to the rheumatology landscape for the benefit of members. There are many complex issues facing the subspecialty of rheumatology; it is those dedicated members who choose to become involved who drive the organization’s achievements in advocacy, training, recruitment, education, practice support, and the development of professional standards.

“The ACR recognizes that success in responding to the many challenges facing rheumatology depends on the effort of a diverse group of dedicated volunteers representing all member constituencies and [having] expertise in areas relevant to key goals,” says Peggy Crow, MD, chair of the Committee on Nominations and Appointments.

Dr. Crow suggests that interested volunteers prepare and submit key information in support of their application. “The Committee on Nominations and Appointments encourages all interested members who are willing to participate in the work of the College to provide us with the information we will need to consider how you might fit in to our committee and subcommittee structure. It is very helpful for the committee to receive a statement of the areas in which a volunteer might be interested in working, along with a detailed description of relevant experience. Supporting letters from colleagues confirming or further describing the contributions and expertise of the member are often helpful to the committee. All potential volunteers are carefully considered by the committee. Final decisions on nominations for committee positions are informed by current needs for particular skills, as well as consideration of demographic balance among committee members.”

In addition to the traditional committees, there are several new opportunities to serve this year, including a Political Action Committee and a Drug Safety Subcommittee. The deadline to nominate yourself or a colleague to serve on an ACR committee is June 1, 2007.

The Committee on Nominations and Appointments will meet late in the summer to recommend candidates for the ACR and REF standing committees. Selected candidates will be notified in the beginning of September and volunteer terms begin with the ACR’s Annual Meeting in November.

ACR Patient Education Materials

The HCV-associated arthritis fact sheet and other complimentary ACR patient education materials not only serve as valuable practice resources, they provide an unbiased source of information about rheumatic disease and new developments in research and treatment, and they emphasize the role of the rheumatologist and health professionals in the care of rheumatic diseases.

• Every ACR patient fact sheet includes substantive information and supporting illustrations or photos;
• Information on more than 40 patient education topics is available at online www.rheumatology.org; and
• ACR patient fact sheets can be used to supplement and reinforce the information available in the rheumatologist’s office.