STFM Leadership Opportunities
How You Can Get Involved!
STFM offers a number of opportunities for members to get engaged in the leadership of the organization. Whether you are a new member or someone who has been a member of the Society for several years, there is a role to fit your interests.
Groups, Task Forces, and Committees
STFM Groups
The strength of STFM is indisputably the energy, creativity, and commitment of its members. This energy is seen at its best in the activities of the Society’s special interest groups, which are organized around topics of interest to members who apply for and are given official sanction by the Board of Directors. STFM has nearly 50 special interest groups where members collaborate, network, and develop resources. Participating in groups that interest you is a key to obtaining the most from your membership. You will find that you are welcomed, whatever your expertise, whether you are a new or an established member of the Society. View current STFM Groups. If you don't see your area of interest, learn how to start a new STFM Group.
STFM Group Chairs
Group chairs provide the leadership and inspiration that accomplishes the work of the groups. The Society’s practice is to empower groups to organize themselves and primarily work on activities of greatest interest to them. On occasion, the STFM Board will ask a group to lead an initiative deemed of critical importance to STFM. Groups chairs are asked to submit annual goals for their groups and to communicate regularly with the STFM Board. Details on planning projects and activities is available in the Group Chairs Guide.
STFM Task Forces
As the need arises, STFM forms task forces of member to tackle important projects within STFM. Watch in the STFM Messenger for opportunities to serve on task forces. It’s important that you let us know your educational interests. This information is valuable in helping us select task force members.
STFM Committees
STFM members on committees serve 2-year terms that are renewable for one additional term.
- The Communications Committee oversees the publication of Family Medicine, the STFM Resource Library, and other STFM electronic communications, policies related to STFM awards, and STFM monographs.
- The Education Committee oversees the Predoctoral Education Conference, the Education Column in the STFM Messenger, the Academic Track, and the Faculty Development Series workshops.
- The Academic Family Medicine Advocacy Committee represents the interests of family medicine by monitoring and advocating STFM positions to appropriate government agencies.
- The Membership Committee reviews and develops membership promotions and programs and monitors members’ needs.
- The Program Committee plans the Annual Spring Conference, which serves as a showcase for the latest developments in family medicine education and research.
- The Research Committee oversees research offerings for the Annual Spring Conference and promotes the continued development of researchers, research activities, and research support for family medicine.
- The three-person Nominations Committee selects individuals to run for STFM office. Terms for Nominations Committee members are 3 years.
Publication Reviewers
Family Medicine Editorial Board
The Family Medicine editor selects Family Medicine Editorial Board members. Generally, it’s helpful if you’ve served as a reviewer for Family Medicine if you are interested in be selected for this role. Contact Traci Nolte if you have an interest in serving on the Editorial Board.
Family Medicine Reviewer
The editors for Family Medicine are always looking for good reviewers for papers. Contact Traci Nolte if you have an interest in serving in this role.
STFM Resource Library Editorial Board
The Editorial Board for the STFM Resource Library (FMDRL) oversees policies and practices related to the Resource Library. The FMDRL editor selects Editorial Board members. Contact Traci Nolte if you have an interest in serving on the Editorial Board.
Teaching Physician Author
The Teaching Physician web resource provides preceptors at teaching sites with practical teaching tips and insight. If you have an interest in authoring a piece for this resource, contact Traci Nolte.
Other Liaison Activities
ACE Representative
The Alliance for Clinical Education is a consortium of eight clerkship director groups that sponsor joint projects and represent those groups at the AAMC.
There have been a number of ACE-sponsored projects that have been useful for the work of clerkship directors: the statement of expectations for a clerkship director, the clerkship director handbook, a study of the influence of pharmaceutical reps on medical students, among others. The STFM Group on Predoctoral Education has had three representatives who serve 3 year terms and one representative from the STFM Board. For more information, contact Dana Greco.
Center for the History of Family Medicine Representative
This individual attends Center meetings and serves as an ambassador for the Center at STFM activities. This is a presidential appointment, and the term lasts 4 years. An announcement will go out over the listserves when we are looking to fill this position.
Wonca Representative
This individual represents STFM at Wonca meetings and serves a 3-year term, which can be renewed for a maximum of 3 years. We rely on the Group on Global Health to assist with nominations, and we do an open call in the STFM Messenger. This is an STFM Board appointment.
Other Appointments
Other opportunities spring up from time to time for task oriented activities. For example, STFM had an opportunity to provide reviewers for the American Geriatrics Society project that was developing competencies related to geriatrics for internal medicine and family medicine residents. Five members of our Group on Geriatrics stepped up for this role. One way to help be selected for these activities is to make sure you are involved in the activities of your group AND make sure you have let STFM know what your educational interests are. We use this list to identify volunteers in key topic area.
One-Time Leadership Roles
Annual Spring Conference Reviewer
The STFM Program Committee welcomes assistance from members who wish to review the Annual Spring Conference submissions. For information, contact Ray Rosetta.
Dine-out Leader
STFM is always looking for individuals who will lead dine-outs at our conferences. The responsibilities are simple and straight forward. You just need to lead the group to the restaurant and make folks feel welcome. STFM coordinates all the restaurant logistics. Contact Dianna Azbill if you are interested.
STFM Messenger Education Column Author
This opportunity is available for individuals who want to share ideas through a thought piece in the STFM Messenger. Contact Traci Nolte if you are interested.
Board Service
STFM Board of Directors
There are 18 members of the STFM Board.
Elected Board Members:
- President
- President-Elect
- Immediate Past President
- Secretary-Treasurer
- Council of Faculty and Academic Societies Representative
- Members at Large (3)
- Resident Representative
- Student Representative
Non-Elected Board Members
- Standing committee chairs (6)
- STFM Executive Director
- STFM Foundation President
With the exception of the Resident and Student Representatives, which are elected at the National Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Students, the Nominations Committee is responsible for selecting the candidates who run for STFM office. The committee considers many factors when selecting candidates, including diversity of perspective on the Board, level of leadership activity within STFM, current strategic priorities of the Board, and the talents of the individuals being considered. Individuals are welcomed to self-nominate. A call for nominees is published in the August STFM Messenger.
Here’s more information about the responsibilities of each Board position and what is expected of Board members.
Contact Stacy Brungardt if you are interested in being considered for STFM Board service.
STFM Foundation Trustees
The Trustees serve as the Foundation Board of Directors. Diversity is critical component of the selection process for Trustees, along with an individual’s level of engagement in the Society and the Foundation and a person’s interest in moving the Foundation forward. Trustees can serve for up to two 4-year terms. Contact Stacy Brungardt with an interest in serving in this role. The Trustee Expectations document also provides some insight into what is expected of individuals in this role.
