Colleagues and friends,
It has been a few months since I have had the opportunity to check in with you. I hope that everyone has been able to start the transition back to clinical practice, even though in many ways it probably looks anything but normal right now. Many aspects of life have likely changed for the majority of us: personally, socially and professionally. As we adjust on many levels over this next year, it is also vital that we plan for the future. And although these past few months have been atypical for AUGS, we are continuing to do just that. In that spirit, we are making our annual Call for Volunteers and Board Nominations to move our Society forward. Now more than ever we need our members to engage and participate in AUGS. It is in large part because of the numerous committed volunteers over the years that AUGS and our specialty are where we are today.
Given the diverse aspects of our subspecialty AUGS supports-from quality, to research, to education, to advocacy-there is a place for everyone’s interests. Please take a moment to read about the numerous committees that might benefit from your expertise. Please also give thought to running for the Board of Directors.
Besides lending the value of your skills to our society, there is also great personal value in volunteering for AUGS. You will have the opportunity to meet other AUGS members with similar interests and form rewarding relationships that will last the course of your career. Volunteers develop complementary skills to augment clinical acumen, further their leadership training, and gain experience from working with the professional staff liaisons that are employed by AUGS. But most critically, volunteers will become a part of the system that is moving our specialty forward during these difficult times of likely significant change. And of course, you would be contributing to the improvement of care for our patients.
So please, volunteer for a Committee or run for election to the Board of Directors to ensure your voice is included in the future growth of the Society.
The call for volunteers opened last week but I realize that most of us do not have the opportunity to read all the emails that come our way. I hope you will take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the open committee positions and consider applying or nominating yourself or a colleague for the Board of Directors. We have three board positions open this year: Vice President and two Board Members At Large. The Call for Volunteers is open until June 16th.
I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe,
Shawn