In our newest "how can we help you?" thread, Travis writes:
I'm considering going up for promotion to full professor in the next few years. One of the criteria the promotion committee will be looking at is 'professional recognition' which includes holding an office in a professional organization or association. I've never been asked to hold such an office, or even been aware of any nomination procedures for such. Outside of just starting my own philosophy association and appointing myself president, how do I get a leadership position of some sort in a philosophy association? If anyone is looking, I'm volunteering.
Interesting question. One reader submitted the following reply:
The people who are elected to these positions are people who have been involved in the organizations for years. Though they involve some work, they also carry some honour - it is a small reward of sorts for contributing to the organization. So this is a bad strategy on your part. Incidentally, I belong to PSA, BSPS, APA, EPSA, AAAS, and HOPOS. So it is probably wise to support some of the professional organizations.
I didn't see Travis as suggesting any particular strategy, but otherwise this reply seems right: one plausible prerequisite to get appointed to a leadership position in an organization is to first get involved in it! All the same, that's not saying too much.
Are there particular ways to get involved in a professional organization (say, the APA or any of the other organizations the above respondent mentions) that Travis might pursue to better position himself for a leadership position later? It would be great to hear any tips from people who are 'in the know'!
As someone who has held a leadship position in such a society, this post does seem a bit on the strategic side... This is also the kind of situation where if you have to ask, then you're a long way from acquiring such a position. I short: you will need to start small. Attend events by societies you might like to become involved with, get your name known (present your work a few years in a row and network, etc.). After that, you may be asked to help out with the organization; or perhaps the opportunity to volunteer will arise. For instance, you might become a part of the conference committee and referee submitted papers. However, expect that rising to a *leadership* role (treas, secretary, vice pres, pres, etc.) will take time. I do sympathize, however, since this is a very silly tenure requirement.
Posted by: Circe | 01/10/2024 at 12:28 PM
I don't think these responses are accurate with respect to the APA, so long as the "leadership" position can be, say, being on a committee. The APA is desperate for people to nominate to be on at least some of their many committees (I know because they are constantly asking me, and then when I say no, they desperately ask me for suggestions of other people--like editors and refereeing). So, I'd say, make sure you are a member of the APA, and then when it is time for nominations for serving on committees, get people to nominate you for committees--multiple if that is allowed. I think you might have missed the deadline this year, not sure, but you could check.
Posted by: depends what "holding an office" means | 01/10/2024 at 02:36 PM
As a junior person with a lot of service, I agree with the other comments that the post sounds strategic because all the professional organizations I've encountered are constantly begging people to fill service roles. And anyone who is remotely competent is constantly asked to do more. So it's hard not to read OP's inquiry as a strategic pick and choose among service roles.
In any case, some ideas: 1) join the society you'd want to serve on; go to the general member's meeting and volunteer for one or more of the positions advertised. 2) attend service-oriented sessions that are held at some of these meetings and talk to the organizers afterwards about getting involved. 3) participate in one of those mentoring programs and make it known that you're trying to do more.
You'll need to start small because important (and impressive) service roles rarely go to people with no experience.
Posted by: do some work and more work will find you | 01/10/2024 at 02:54 PM
In reply to "depends what "holding an office" means": serving on a committee is definitely not a leadership role. Chairing a committee is. But you are right, imo, to emphasize that OP mentioned being an 'office holder'. Depending on the society in question, being on a committee may or may not qualify. I have served on conference committees for societies I am not a member of and nor an organizer of, i.e. I was 'drafted in' as an external. By contrast, in the society I held a leadership role in, conference committee members were always society organizers.
Posted by: Circe | 01/10/2024 at 03:56 PM