The American Geriatrics Society - Membership - Function and Responsibilities of Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs

Function and Responsibilities of Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs

The following is a summary of the function and responsibilities of Society committee chairs and vice chairs. The contribution of time and expertise by AGS members to committee leadership is one of the Society's most important and valued resources. The Society's success in furthering its mission depends in large measure upon the active participation of members, and upon regular and complete communication between the Society's governing Board, professional volunteers and administrative staff.

Function

Committee chairs and vice chairs are expected to be familiar with the Society's history and mission and goals, as well as policies, positions, and activities. Committee leaders are kept informed by staff about the status of current Society activities through (1) the dissemination of minutes and action items from the semiannual Board and committee meetings; and (2) the circulation of memoranda, reports and other project-specific communications. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and the AGS Newsletter are also important sources of information on current AGS policies and activities. (New committee leaders will be provided with an orientation packet, which will include "History of the AGS," the AGS mission and goals statement, a list of AGS Position Statements, Papers, and Guidelines, and the AGS brochure, "Are You Prepared for the Senior Boom?")

Committee chairs and vice chairs should consider themselves spokespersons for the Society, and in this capacity public proponents of the Society's mission, goals and activities. As opportunities arise, committee chairs and vice chairs may be called upon to represent the Society, increasing our visibility and enhancing our effectiveness in appearances before policy makers, other health professionals, funders, the public, or the press.

As proponents of the Society, committee chairs and vice chairs are also looked upon to help promote AGS membership through speaking engagements and other opportunities as they arise.

Committee chairs and vice chairs may be asked to serve as the Society's representative at meetings of related organizations or agencies, depending upon their areas of expertise and their availability.

Responsibilities

The Committee chairpersons' primary responsibility is to ensure that progress is made in fulfilling the Committee's mission and meetings its goals.

Committee chairpersons run the semiannual meetings of their committee. Vice chairs may assume this responsibility if the chair is unable to attend. Meetings are held in May during the AGS/AFAR annual meeting and during the Gerontological Society of America's annual meeting in November.

Committee chairs are expected to assume an active role in overseeing the work of the committee, including that conducted in between meetings, in collaboration with the AGS staff member(s) assigned to their committee. The vice chair will be asked to take a more active role in collaborating with the committee chair and may be asked to assist in any of the areas listed below. Committee chair/vice chair administrative responsibilities include the following:

Annually review the mission and goals of the committee and evaluate the committee's effectiveness in meeting its stated purpose and function.
Submit annual strategic action plan/timeline.
Provide updates on events and activities in the field of geriatrics that are relevant to, and may proactively direct, the activities of the committee.
Plan and evaluate committee projects and activities (both ongoing responsibilities and special projects).
Assist staff in developing agendas for the committee meetings.
Make project assignments to committee members, ensuring that the work is as evenly distributed as possible and that each committee member has an active role to play.
Communicate with committee members to ensure they are completing their assignments in a timely manner.
Provide opportunities for committee involvement by non-committee members, through special work group or task force assignments.
Recommend individuals for appointment to the committee.

Regular and complete communication with staff is the committee leaders' most important method for accomplishing the goals of the committee. It is important to have a two-way communication between staff and committee leaders, with all parties taking responsibility for providing updates and sharing information on a regular basis.

The committee chair will be expected to provide a verbal report on committee activities at the semiannual Board of Directors meetings. If the committee chair is unavailable to present the report, the committee vice chair, or the Board representative to the committee, can give the report.

Committee chairs and vice chairs are expected to be available to AGS staff for consultation and expert advice in areas pertaining to the committee on which they serve.