Board and committee members are among the most important facets of Society life and serve as important member engagement opportunities. Each year, ASHG is committed to reflecting the diversity of the communities it seeks to serve in its leadership and encourages applications from and nominations of individuals from underrepresented groups for service on the board and committees.
We encourage you to apply yourself and/or nominate colleagues when applications open in early 2022 for service beginning in January 2023. Learn more about the rewards of serving, open positions, qualification requirements, and more in our detailed roadmap of our process outlined below. Members will be notified via email when the applications are open and will also appear on the ashg.org website.
Why Serve?
We believe you will find serving on a committee a rewarding experience and a great opportunity to contribute to a vibrant community. Serving on an ASHG committee or the Board of Directors is an excellent way for ASHG members to participate in the life of the Society and help steer its future. It’s an opportunity to expand your professional network, strengthen your leadership and professional skills, and contribute to ASHG’s mission. Read on for a crash course on applying to join.
“Serving on a committee or the Board is a great way to get involved with the Society, build your network, and use your voice and expertise to advance the genetics and genomics field. In addition to applying yourself, you may also nominate colleagues.”
Donna Martin, MD, PhD
Secretary, ASHG
What do committee members do?
It varies by committee, but ASHG committees develop action plans and participate in the implementation of a variety of Society programs, which reflect ASHG’s broad directions set by the Board of Directors and enable members to deliver on its mission. For details on each committee including current work, view an index of ASHG’s committees here.
Terms for most committees are 3 years. Appointments are on a calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. Most committees meet between 1-4 times per year, mostly by phone and once in-person at the ASHG Annual Meeting.
Committees with Open Positions in 2023
- Awards Committee
- Career Development Committee
- Digital Learning Committee
- Finance & Audit Committee
- Government & Public Advocacy Committee
- Investment Committee
- Membership Engagement Committee
- Professional Practice & Social Implications Committee
- Program Committee
- Public Education & Awareness Committee
Application Procedures
Any ASHG member who wishes to join a committee should apply via the online application at the start of each year. Applications close in early March.
What’s on the application/nomination form?
Whether you are nominating a colleague or applying yourself, you will be asked:
- Basic candidate information: institution, professional area of expertise
- Open response questions: your interest in serving; relevant experience
- Open response question(s) specific to the committee for which you are applying
- For a copy of curriculum vitae (CV) or NIH biosketch
Trainee applicants are asked for reference details with contact information. See the brief recommendation form the reference will be sent.
Self-nominations (also known as applications) are strongly encouraged; they are considered as seriously as nominations by other members. The form typically takes under 30 minutes to complete.
Qualifications:
- Current ASHG membership (both applicants and nominators)
- Leadership and volunteer experience on boards and committees a plus, but not required
- Knowledge of ASHG’s mission, purpose, goals, policies, programs, services, strengths, and needs
- Follow science, research, and genetics and genomics trends
- Ability to meet tight deadlines
- Good oral and written communication skills
How are applications and nominations evaluated?
After the submission deadline, the ASHG Nominating Committee reviews all the nominations with extensive input from committee chairs to finalize committee appointments, which are ultimately approved by the ASHG Executive Committee. Governance staff notify all applicants, including those not selected, via email in late summer. While we do not have enough openings to accommodate all applicants, members who seek to serve and be involved are a hallmark of a strong society and we strive to engage interested applicants in other ways (e.g., ASHG Connect leadership; abstract review).
Questions?
For questions about the ASHG application and nominations process, contact Amanda Olsen, Governance & Executive Operations Manager, at aolsen@ashg.org.