In 2009, at the request of President Murphy, ACCP conducted a survey addressing issues related to organizational governance. The results provided ACCP with ideas on how to better inform members regarding ACCP’s governance system and processes and on ways in which ACCP can better involve its members in organizational activities. One of the issues raised in the survey responses was the perception that ACCP leadership is sometimes not entirely representative of its members. In particular, survey responses noted that a substantial proportion of the ACCP membership is composed of practitioners who do not have primary faculty appointments, whereas the composition of the Board of Regents (BOR) is often predominantly individuals from academia. ACCP would benefit from efforts to expand the field of members considered for election to the BOR. To address these issues, I have appointed a special task force on governance, which Dr. Lynn Crismon from the University of Texas will chair. This task force is charged with developing a report providing recommendations on how ACCP can expand the field of members considered for election to the BOR. In particular, this task force is asked to provide recommendations on how ACCP can expand the field of practitioners and other members without primary academic appointments who are interested and willing to be considered for elected office. The task force is operating with an aggressive timeline, and I look forward to receiving its recommendations this summer.

I am sometimes asked by members how one can “move up the ladder” to be considered for the ballot for election to the BOR. Nominations of individuals for consideration for the BOR can be made by any ACCP member, and all ACCP committees are charged annually with providing nominations for consideration for the BOR. The Nominations Committee then develops the election slate on the basis of nominee qualifications, particularly the volume and quality of previous service to ACCP, as well as balance with respect to geography, gender, and numerous other considerations.

How can you prepare yourself for leadership within ACCP? Before appearing on a ballot, most current and past BOR members were members of one or more committees, eventually becoming vice-chair and then chair of an ACCP committee. Committee service and chairmanship is a common pathway to leadership within ACCP. All ACCP members are encouraged to respond to the request for committee service survey that is distributed every August. When responding to the survey, don’t simply list your name and indicate the committee(s) for which you would like to be considered; provide some text in the comments section on why you are interested in service on specific committees, and list the attributes you would bring to achieving that committee’s charges. Once appointed to a committee, be sure to actively participate and work hard toward completion of the committee’s charges. Each year, the BOR asks committee chairs and vice-chairs for the names of committee members who worked particularly hard and contributed substantially to the committee’s activities; these individuals are usually selected to be committee chairs and vice-chairs in subsequent years. Committee service and committee leadership are excellent paths toward potential consideration for election to the BOR.

Other pathways to ACCP leadership are available, particularly through service as an officer of a Practice and Research Network (PRN), chapter, or ad hoc task force. I encourage you to run for office in your PRN or chapter. These types of leadership activities provide excellent experience and visibility that may translate into subsequent opportunities for more advanced leadership within the organization.

Some of you may ask, “Why would I want to be a member of the BOR or in other leadership positions within ACCP?” For me, there are numerous answers to that question. One answer: to give something back to the profession that has so greatly rewarded me professionally and personally. Another answer and reason for holding membership and leadership positions is the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of clinical pharmacy and the profession overall. Leadership within ACCP provides the opportunity to be at the table with the leaders of pharmacy, advocate for practice changes that advance the profession, and participate in the professional growth of ACCP members. Leadership activities within ACCP are tremendously rewarding.

If you are not already doing so, I encourage you to become actively involved in a committee, a task force, a PRN, or a chapter. Please consider pursuing leadership roles in one or more of those groups. The continued success of ACCP and the continued advancement of clinical pharmacy depend on developing our members for leadership within the organization and the profession. We need you. If you wish to discuss this with me in more detail, please e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at (317) 613-2315, ext. 306.

I look forward to seeing your name on a future ballot for the ACCP BOR.