President’s Corner: An Open Invitation to Join Our Team

Are specific professional pursuits favored for volunteers? Absolutely not. The strongest team is a diverse team, with wide-ranging skills and perspectives represented. The voices around the table need to be inclusive of our membership, reflecting all who contribute to rheumatology whether it be through patient care in the community or an academic center, or as a scientist within the lab. Assuring that every discipline of rheumatology is represented within our volunteer leadership is essential to meet the goals and priorities of our entire membership.

What if I am not selected for the position I really wanted? Not getting selected for a desired position is understandably disappointing, but this does not mean your skills are not wanted or respected. Specific roles have a limited number of open positions each year. I recommend members be open to any volunteer opportunity. I have learned something in every role I have participated in, with some of the most valuable experiences coming from areas I had little to no background in. Volunteer engagement in any capacity can serve as a step toward future volunteer or professional activities, inside or outside the ACR.

I’m interested in volunteering. Where do I start? In 2025, the ACR is planning website updates that will include a complete listing of all volunteer activities for the ACR and the ARP, as well as a link to the Foundation’s opportunities, with descriptions of what is involved in a specific activity, time commitments and how one might pursue participation. This page will be an excellent place to begin your exploration of volunteer opportunities to see what interests you.

Meeting of the Committee on Registries and Health Information Technology (RHIT) held at ACR Convergence 2024.

For those who wish to pursue serving on a standing committee or the Board of Directors of the ACR, the ARP or the Foundation, the call for nominations will open on April 1. A formal process is in place to ensure the constituency of these groups represents the spectrum of rheumatology, capturing a diverse voice through differing expertise, geographic locations and professional attributes. Opportunities for subcommittee and short-term volunteer roles are also available separate from the formal volunteer nominations cycle.

On Feb. 26 from 7:30–8:30 p.m. (EST), the chairs of the Nominations Committees, Deborah Dyett Desir, MD (ACR), Aileen Ledingham, PT, MS (ARP), and V. Michael Holers, MD (Foundation), will host a webinar to provide valuable information on the nominations process. For those unable to attend, the event will be recorded and available for viewing on the volunteer webpage.