Looking to make the most of your committee service? ACAAI Executive Medical Director Dr. Todd Mahr shares practical tips to help members elevate their engagement.
What advice would you give to committee members who want to contribute more but feel unsure how to start?
I would suggest they speak to the committee chair and explore how they may be able to contribute to the committee’s success. Chairs have a good sense of where additional help is needed or where a member’s expertise could be used. Expressing interest is a great first step and it shows initiative.
What are some common reasons members may struggle engaging with their committee? How would you suggest they approach these challenges?
It may be that the chair and vice chair do not have clear ideas or projects lined up yet. In that case, meeting with them and bringing up potential committee projects is a great thing to do! It not only creates momentum but also shows you’re interested in the committee’s success. Sometimes all it takes is one member to provide input to spark a new initiative.
What advice would you give to committee members looking to take on a bigger role?
First, reach out to the committee chair and vice chair to express your interest. They’re often looking for members willing to take on more responsibility. You can also connect with the ACAAI staff member assigned to the committee. Staff have a good sense of which projects need a lead or where help is needed. If those paths do not yield desired outcome, you can always send me an email, and I will see what I can do.
