2022 ACCP committee and task force appointments were finalized last month, and this year’s committees and task forces scheduled their initial videoconference meetings between November 8 and December 4. Last summer, 833 members volunteered for committee service, 325 of whom were selected and agreed to serve on a 2022 committee or task force. Once again, the number of members seeking to participate on an ACCP committee far surpassed the available committee and task force positions.
How Were Committee and Task Force Members Selected?
Responses to the annual ACCP volunteer survey were examined in detail by then-ACCP President-Elect Leigh Ann Ross, who determined the final committee and task force rosters. First and foremost, she read the comments of volunteers indicating why they were interested in working on a specific committee/task force charge and how they felt qualified to do so. Other data submitted by the volunteers were then reviewed to make the committees/task forces as inclusive and diverse as possible. These data included:
- Member type (full/associate member, student, resident/fellow/graduate student)
- Years since receipt of professional degree (as reported by the respondent)
- Whether respondents identified themselves as belonging to a group underrepresented in ACCP – volunteers could decline to address this question or indicate they were uncertain if they belonged to an underrepresented group
- Whether the volunteer had responded to last year’s survey but was not selected for a 2021 committee or task force service
In addition, last year’s committee/task force chairs, vice chairs, and secretaries/board liaisons were asked to recommend individuals whom they believed could ably serve in the position of chair, vice chair, or experienced/mentoring member.
Dr. Ross considered all of these data in selecting committee and task force members while ensuring that at least one student and one trainee (resident, fellow, or graduate student) was included on all the committees and task forces for which they were eligible. Although several qualified and deserving members still couldn’t be appointed, she made substantial efforts to be as inclusive as possible in making these appointments. To increase the likelihood of being selected for committee/task force service in the future, members are encouraged to include clear comments in their survey responses about their interest in pursuing specific charges and their qualifications for such. Failure to do so will substantially limit the opportunity for appointment.
Other Opportunities for ACCP Engagement
In addition to the annual 250 to 300+ available committee/task force positions, more than 2000 other opportunities to volunteer in ACCP activities exist, including:
- Annual Meeting or Virtual Poster Symposium Abstract review
- Clinical Pharmacy Challenge or Clinical Research Challenge item writing or review
- ACCP CV or Letter of Intent review
- Assistance with development of member spotlight pieces
- Elected PRN officer positions
- PSAP editorial, author, or reviewer opportunities
- Pharmacotherapy and JACCP Editorial Board membership
- Pharmacotherapy and JACCP peer reviewer opportunities
- Elected ACCP or Foundation board membership; appointed Foundation or PPI board positions
- PRN committee or task force membership
- Regional chapter officer or committee and task force chair/membership
As a member-driven organization, the College’s greatest strength and most valuable asset remains the many contributions of its members. Their work results in the successful development of ACCP’s professional development programs and services, dissemination of research and scholarship, advancement of the College’s policy and advocacy, and other accomplishments that contribute to the implementation of ACCP’s strategic plan.