A simple search of professional medical and healthcare organizations reveals thousands of options for medical professionals. Without looking at the remainder of the alphabet, there are hundreds beginning with the letter A: American this, Academy that, Association of – it is an almost endless list and presents myriad choices for those in the medical and healthcare communities.

Professional organizations are the members’ sources for industry trends, legislative updates, connections of clinical practices with advancing research, and peer-to-peer relationships, among other benefits. But membership alone is not sufficient. Studies on member value show membership becomes meaningful only when individuals feel engaged and attached with the organization.

Being active and informed, developing relationships with other professionals while advancing the organization’s mission, is the difference between being a member of something versus being a part of something. The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care offers many opportunities to enhance membership and make it matter.

“We are what our members make us,” said Victoria Elliott, R.Ph., MBA, CAE, & AAWC Chief Executive Officer. “It is through member engagement and participation that the AAWC drives its vision to advance wound care worldwide. We rely on the volunteers to support the three strategic pillars of Education, Policy and Research.”

The AAWC has a class of 150 volunteers engaged throughout the year on many important issues and programs that membership at large has defined as key to their profession. Volunteers are the ones who serve as conference planners and speakers, facilitators, moderators and program reviewers. Content creators develop newsletter articles, blogs, social media posts and other content for various communications platforms. Those involved in policy matters develop letters and position papers, write platform materials, and visit with elected state and federal officials. In the area of awards and scholarships, volunteers work to define appropriate honors, review submissions and requests, and select recipients.

Recent achievements of AAWC volunteers include successful focused-topic regional summits, and advancing policy considerations in Washington, D.C. by giving voice to the need for increased prevention of pressure ulcers for our nation’s veterans. Educational programs have improved with expanded and participatory Journal Clubs featuring AAWC volunteer faculty, linking new research findings from the lab with the practice in clinical settings.

Volunteers report having a greater sense of community in the wound care profession and a deeper connection with their peers across all disciplines of care. “I was unsure whether I really had anything to contribute,” said one volunteer. “I was new to the AAWC and fairly new in my job, and was intimidated by the experience of others. But by becoming involved in a committee for one of the Summits, I was able to build my skills and develop a greater sense of confidence.”

There are currently a variety of education, content creation and committee volunteer positions available to members. For more information, go to https://aawconline.memberclicks.net/volunteer-opportunities.