As we each consider how to make the most of 2023, I hope you will take a few moments to ponder your role in the Endocrine Society and ways to maximize your membership. Getting involved in our activities can be very rewarding, both personally and professionally.
In the past two decades, I have been fortunate to serve on several Society committees and journal editorial boards. Each volunteer opportunity placed me in the orbit of notable endocrine researchers, clinicians, and educators. Being an active Society member can not only give you the opportunity to contribute to the mission of the Endocrine Society but can also help you grow your network and make invaluable connections that may in turn enable research collaborations, lead to speaking opportunities, facilitate professional growth, and – most importantly – lead to lifelong friendships!
Being an active Society member can not only give you the opportunity to contribute to the mission of the Endocrine Society but can also help you grow your network and make invaluable connections that may in turn enable research collaborations, lead to speaking opportunities, facilitate professional growth, and – most importantly – lead to lifelong friendships!
Even if your schedule is hectic, it is easy to find a way to give back that works for you. With our online advocacy tools, it only takes a minute or two to send a letter to policymakers about the importance of NIH funding or affordable insulin. Our Special Interest Groups make it easy to contribute when your schedule allows. Take some time to review a journal article or to provide feedback on a specific project where member input is crucial.
It takes many members of our community working together to plan engaging events, publish ground-breaking journals, and mentor the next generation of leaders in our field. Being part of the team is as easy as completing the volunteering form on our website. You can indicate the opportunities that interest you. We are always looking for people with a variety of skillsets from different backgrounds to lend their expertise!
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take the first step. Whatever your interests, you can find a rewarding way to get involved. There are plenty of ways to serve, whether you want to review abstracts or mentor the next generation through the Future Leaders Advancing Research in Endocrinology (FLARE) or Excellence in Clinical Endocrinology Leadership (ExCEL) programs.
A great way to get started is to submit a late-breaking abstract to present at ENDO 2023. Presenting at our annual meeting can help you make new connections and expand your network. You can prepare an abstract now to submit this spring. In-person meetings offer the opportunity to ask questions and introduce yourself to new people who share your professional interests.
Your membership gives you the chance to gain experience and contacts you need to succeed in our field. By volunteering, each of us helps to advance science, healthcare, and education in a manner that promotes optimal health and well-being.
Once you have started out with such shorter-term opportunities, serving on one of our committees is an ideal next step. Committees offer the chance to build lasting relationships with your fellow volunteer leaders, who are often people you might not meet by chance. Over the course of a three-year term, you can influence important decisions about the direction of the Society. Through my committee service, I learned how to be an active contributor while also drawing out others’ perspectives. I then was able to apply that experience to committee service at my home institution.
Your membership gives you the chance to gain experience and contacts you need to succeed in our field. By volunteering, each of us helps to advance science, healthcare, and education in a manner that promotes optimal health and well-being.
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