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Dear AAPA Fellow Members,
This is your last chance to submit nominations for the AAPA Board of Trustees (BOT)! If you are interested in applying (or know of a colleague that would be a perfect fit), please submit your nomination by March 31st. Three seats are available for the upcoming 2023-2025 term. The election will be held in September, and results will be announced in October.
Below, past BOT Chair and CFO John Eckman shares how his involvement with the AAPA has evolved and encourages fellow members to find their opportunity to get involved at any level.
“I attended my first AAPA Conference in 1993 to take the AAPA Fellowship Exam. I recall having a great time with my classmates and enjoying the conference and the beautiful hotel where the conference was held. What struck me most that first conference was the amazing group of interactive, resourceful and passionate people in attendance – all of them PAs and members of the AAPA. I felt connected to my peers. As a new graduate, I wanted to be active within my profession. In that instant, I knew I wanted to be part of this group.
I later volunteered with the AAPA looking for an opportunity to get involved. I was asked to help with the job hotline, which was printed in the quarterly newsletter. That somehow led to job ads being posted on the internet, and I soon found myself creating an early version of the AAPA website that included online job ads. Developing a functional website seemed revolutionary at that time. It was exciting to consider all the ways the association could use the website, and I really enjoyed my time on the website committee. After nearly ten years, I handed the baton to other members with new energy and new ideas. Not long ago, I got involved with the Grossing Guidelines committee to help write a protocol, and that led to further involvement in the Grossing Guidelines as I became the GYN section author. I again enjoyed being active within the AAPA – interacting with my peers, contributing, and learning.
In 2014, I was quite surprised to learn that I had been nominated to run for the Board of Trustees. It was another opportunity to be involved and grow and contribute to my profession, so I completed the process and was on the ballot. After two attempts, I was elected to the BOT in 2016. [John was elected to his 2nd term beginning in 2019.] Again, I’m engaged with my peers, I’m making a meaningful contribution to our profession, and I’m learning. When I am active within the AAPA I am most content in my daily job.
With its rich history of volunteerism, the AAPA provides opportunities to become involved at all levels. I encourage you to find your opportunity and be an active member of the AAPA. Help with a project or an activity, become a committee member, and, at some point, run for a seat on the Board of Trustees. Minimum requirements to be nominated to run for the BOT are (1) be a Fellow member for a minimum of three years prior to being nominated, and (2) have at least two years of committee experience. The AAPA is your association – bring your energy and your ideas, and find an opportunity to get involved.”
Feeling motivated to get involved? Don’t miss your opportunity to apply for the BOT! Please consider nominating yourself here. To nominate another Fellow member or for more information, reach out to me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Chevanne Scordinsky, PA(ASCP)CM
Administration Committee Chair
[email protected]
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