Call for Volunteers: 2027 Opportunities

Volunteer with SHSMD to Make a Lasting Impact on Health Care

SHSMD's 2027 Call for Volunteers is open through October 9, 2026.

Put your experience to work for the SHSMD community while building new connections and expanding your leadership skills. Volunteer opportunities offer a range of ways to contribute, from shaping education and conference programming to supporting member engagement and special projects. Some roles are committee-based, while others are independent and flexible. Review the opportunities below to find the best fit for your interests, expertise and availability.

Apply by October 9, 2026, and select the opportunities that interest you most. Tell us about your background and where you'd like to contribute. We will do our best to match you with a preferred role and may contact you about other opportunities that align with your experience. Please apply for the opportunities that interest you.

NOTE: Volunteers will be notified of any committee assignments by January 2027.

Apply to Volunteer

We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteer Leadership Opportunities for 2027:

Catalyst Conversation Facilitator
Conference Planning Committee
Education and Editorial Advisory Board
Executive Strategies Task Force
Member Community Ambassador
Member Engagement Committee
Micro-Volunteering
Recognition and Scholarships Committee
Small or Rural Working Group

Catalyst Conversation Facilitator (Independent)

A Catalyst Conversation Facilitator is a knowledgeable and engaging SHSMD member who is responsible for guiding online discussions, bringing hot topics to the forefront for staff to consider for member discussions, and fostering peer-to-peer connection among participants within a specific member segment. Please note that because this is an independent volunteer opportunity rather than a formal committee, it can easily be combined with other volunteer roles.

Key volunteer responsibilities include:

• Leading discussions. When a submitted topic lacks a lead expert, the facilitator will step in to guide the conversation based on their expertise.
• Managing small group breakout sessions to encourage deeper discussion and active participation.
• Promoting an inclusive and interactive atmosphere, enabling members to share ideas, discuss challenges, and discover practical strategies relevant to the health care field.
• Bringing hot topics to the forefront for staff to consider for member discussions.

Conference Planning Committee

This committee supports SHSMD staff in the development and implementation of the education portion of the annual conference, SHSMD Connections, and/or other virtual conferences. Committee members representing various disciplines comprise committee “tracks” and review all proposals received under their assigned area from the annual Call for Proposals. The goal is to make selections that deliver a first-class educational experience for members. Volunteers who have previously served on this committee may be selected to serve on the executive team or as track team leaders. Committee members attending the in-person conference may serve as session moderators and/or hosts for networking events.

If you are selected for this committee, we will assign you conference tracks that best align with your role and expertise. Tracks may include the following:

• Marketing
• Digital Engagement
• Communications and Public Relations
• Strategic Planning and Business Development
• Innovation and Cross-Disciplinary Solutions
• Other: Physician Strategies, Analytics, Population Health, Career and Leadership Development

Commitment: Significant time commitment from February to May. Attendance at SHSMD Connections 2027.

This volunteer opportunity is recommended for:

• Team players who can commit to the rigorous schedule of this committee. From February to May, committee members will be expected to review proposals by set deadlines, actively participate in conference calls, and spend time following up on proposals and speakers.
• Those who attended SHSMD Connections in the recent past and are planning to attend SHSMD Connections 2027, September 26-28, 2027, in Phoenix, AZ.

Education and Editorial Advisory Board

This committee will review the performance of SHSMD's education and content offerings and make recommendations to enrich the society’s content portfolio, leveraging best practices in education and content delivery.

Select committee members will review portions of SHSMD Education Online Courses and related offerings to support member professional development and expansion of knowledge resources. Others will review content prior to member distribution, supporting SHSMD’s growing pool of resources. All committee members will contribute content ideas and work closely with SHSMD’s editorial and education staff. Members will also be asked to help audit courses and promote all online programs through their social media network.

Commitment: Quarterly conference calls, independent review of materials between meetings, and periodic independent review of courses and content materials.

This volunteer opportunity is recommended for:

• Members representing the different professional disciplines of SHSMD, with varying experiences and roles.
• Professionals with strong content knowledge in health care strategic planning, business development, marketing, public relations, communications, and digital engagement.
• Those with writing and/or editorial experience, including practical digital pieces such as case studies, tools/templates or guides, and/or blogs.
• Industry thought leaders with connections to other expert information sources and contributors.
• Members who have served as faculty or who possess experience in adult education and have a high interest and experience in education best practices.
• Members with a strong overall knowledge of SHSMD publications, content, and educational offerings, including SHSMD Education online courses and webcasts, SHSMD’s Bridging Worlds and Spectrum, and SHSMD Connections Annual Conference.

Executive Strategies Task Force

This task force provides key input to senior leader SHSMD programming, including recruiting participants and speakers or thought leaders. Volunteers help facilitate senior executive engagement at conferences and online, and contribute to the identification of key topics for the Futurescan publication.

Commitment: Quarterly task force calls plus engagement in senior leader programming.

This volunteer opportunity is recommended for:

• Thought leaders and visionaries with a thorough understanding of transformative issues facing SHSMD members.
• Executive-level members with leadership expertise in the strategy disciplines (strategic planning, business development, marketing, and communications).
• Those connected to industry thought leaders who might serve as guest speakers/panelists.
• Members planning to attend SHSMD’s executive events.

Member Community Ambassador (Independent)

As a Member Community Ambassador, you'll be the friendly face guiding fellow members through their questions in the MySHSMD Online Member Community. You'll dive into unanswered inquiries, research solutions, and connect members with the information they need. Please note that because this is an independent volunteer opportunity rather than a formal committee, it can easily be combined with other volunteer roles.

Volunteers will:

• Respond to member questions in a timely and informative manner via MySHSMD.
• Conduct research to find the most accurate and helpful answers.
• If an answer isn't readily available, escalate the question to the appropriate expert.
• Foster a positive and supportive community environment.

This volunteer opportunity is recommended for:

• Members who enjoy helping others.
• A resourceful problem-solver with excellent research skills.
• Members with a passion for clear and concise communication.
• Those who thrive in a collaborative online environment.

Member Engagement Committee

Committee members will welcome and engage new members and work with SHSMD staff to develop member initiatives and engagement ideas. We welcome student and faculty members to join this committee to provide insights for student-member initiatives and engagement ideas. Committee members will assist with the 2027 Annual Conference New Member and First-Time Attendee Orientation, Q2 & Q4 Member Orientation webinars, and host and participate in virtual member mixers. Additionally, members will support online Catalyst Conversations, engage in the MySHSMD Community discussion posts, and help promote SHSMD's events, resources, and offerings through their personal social media networks.

Commitment: Attend quarterly calls, some independent work between meetings, and attend SHSMD Connections 2027.

This volunteer opportunity is recommended for:

• Those with an overall knowledge of SHSMD offerings.
• Members who have an interest in helping new members navigate their membership.
• Students and faculty members who would like to provide insights on student-member engagement.
• Those planning to attend the 2027 Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ.

This is a great opportunity to expand your national network, gain leadership experience, and directly impact the future of SHSMD.

Micro-Volunteering (Independent)

Based on your background and interests, micro-volunteering affords you the opportunity to be involved with SHSMD projects on a short-term basis. It may include activities like reviewing a new resource, helping plan a new event, leading or commenting on a discussion, or helping others learn. Please note that because this is an independent volunteer opportunity rather than a formal committee, it can easily be combined with other volunteer roles.

Including:

• Beta Testers: As SHSMD and the AHA pilot new offerings, technologies, and programs, members’ perspectives will be critical. Volunteer beta testers may be called on throughout the year to help evaluate, test, and/or provide feedback, and even serve as an early adopter for others to follow.
• Member Mentor Volunteers (Independent): These individuals will support SHSMD’s mentorship program, helping to guide others through the process and serve as a mentor resource. Learn more here.

Commitment for Beta Testers: A few hours of review time annually.

Commitment for Member Mentor Volunteers: Commitment to participate in outreach to mentees and promotion of the program.

Recognition and Scholarships Committee

Committee members participate in the review of criteria and applications and the selection of recipients for the SHSMD Rising Star Award, SHSMD Connections conference scholarships, and the SHSMD Student Enrichment Program. Additionally, committee members will help promote these programs through their personal social media networks.

Commitment: Monthly or bimonthly calls between February and July, plus a final debrief call. Independent, detailed review of applications, reports, résumés, letters of recommendation, scoring criteria, and other materials between calls.

This volunteer opportunity is recommended for:

• Individuals with prior committee experience.
• Members with a commitment to confidentiality.
• Former SHSMD Rising Stars recipients.
• Members interested in supporting the growth and development of students and emerging professionals.

Small or Rural Working Group

The Small or Rural Working Group serves to amplify and support small and rural members, including planning networking sessions, hosting the annual conference Catalyst Conversation, and developing relevant educational content.

Volunteers will:

• Plan and host annual Catalyst Conversations, including one flagship in-person session at the annual conference.
• Actively contribute to the MySHSMD Small or Rural community group and participate in mentorship opportunities as available.
• Identify or create educational resources (e.g., toolkits, webinar topic recommendations, courses, and blogs) tailored to small or rural members.
• Provide an annual brief or milestone update to the SHSMD Board via the existing Board representatives.

Commitment: Monthly conference calls with a commitment to review materials outside of scheduled conference calls.

This volunteer opportunity is recommended for:

• Members with direct experience in working with or for a rural or small organization.
• Strategic thinkers who want to expand networking, community engagement, and educational resources for small or rural health care providers.
• Professionals representing a variety of geographies, job functions, and seniority levels to ensure diverse representation across the working group.
• Individuals with a strong commitment to confidentiality, which is a priority for this group.

Other volunteer opportunities may be announced throughout the year. We look forward to hearing from you!

Note: Volunteers sign a confidentiality agreement and may be asked to sign an intellectual property ownership agreement. SHSMD does not pay travel expenses for volunteer participation.