Per the ACR bylaws, the following categories of members cannot hold a position on an ACR Standing Committee:
Fellow-in-Training members can learn about volunteer opportunities available to them by contacting LaTanya Batts, Director, Research and Training.
There have also been questions from some of our members who are primarily employed (primarily employed is defined as 50 percent of more of an individual's working time) by commercial entities regarding how they can participate in volunteer activities with the ACR. The ACR values the unique perspective that employees of commercial entities can provide on committees, subcommittees and task forces; however, the ACR is also sensitive to the increasing emphasis on both real and perceived conflict of interest in the medical profession. In addition, ACCME guidelines do not allow members employed by commercial entities to participate in planning CME activities.
Therefore, the ACR cannot allow members who are primarily employed by commercial entities to serve as members of the following committees:
- Committee on Corporate Relations
- Committee on Education
- Committee on Government Affairs
- Committee on Nominations and Appointments
- RheumPAC (Political Action Committee)
- Committee on Quality of Care
- Committee on Registries and Health Information Technology
- Committee on Rheumatologic Care
- Committee on Training and Workforce
Employees of insurance companies, but not those of commercial entities, can serve on the Committee on Journal Publications.
There are volunteer opportunities for members who are employed by commercial entities. The ACR welcomes participation of members employed by commercial entities on the following committees:
- Committee on Communications and Marketing
- Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on Research
ACR members who are primarily employed by commercial entities and insurance companies are eligible for service on the ACR Board of Directors but are not eligible to become officers. Again, we would like to encourage our members who are employed by commercial entities and insurance companies to engage with the ACR as a volunteer in the various opportunities provided.
