Message from ASBMR President Laura Calvi, M.D. – February 22, 2024

Focus on Volunteer Opportunities with ASBMR in 2024!

Dear Colleagues,

As I noted in my message last month, one of my priorities this year is to improve awareness and accessibility for members to engage in meaningful volunteer work with the Society. Working side by side with ASBMR colleagues across the globe is one of the key benefits of membership. Check out our smiling Council persons, Committee Chairs and staff in Vancouver!

Our goal is to involve our members in a variety of opportunities, from elected leadership roles that shape ASBMR’s course and investments, to active participation in goal-oriented committees and subcommittees, to opportunities to contribute to action-focused short-term commitments with high-impact results. These "microvolunteering", on demand opportunities aim to fit into your busy schedule while also enabling you to make a significant contribution to the ASBMR community.

How do you learn about options and volunteer? Follow the new “Get Involved” prompt, now on our website’s landing page, to access announcements about volunteering opportunities. Let me especially thank the members of the Innovation Committee, Drs. Annette Adams, Fjola Johannesdottir, Dobrawa Napierala, Ryan Riddle, Rhachana Vaidya, their Chair, Dr. Rachelle Johnson and their Council Liaison, Dr. Megan Weivoda, as well as ASBMR staff Angela Belusik and Michelle Cook for continuing to improve access and visibility to these opportunities.

Thank you to those who volunteered to present at a Society webinar this year. I want to specifically call out Drs. Sherri-Ann Burnett-Bowie and Jane Cauley, co-chairs of the ASBMR Task Force on Clinical Algorithms for Fracture Risk who will host a  webinar to discuss if using race and ethnicity in FRAX potentially contributes to health inequities on who on February 29 at 1:30 PM EST. Be sure to register for this important presentation.

I also want to thank the hundreds of members that volunteered to serve as abstract reviewers and session moderators for the ASBMR 2024 Annual Meeting in Toronto, ON, Canada, from September 27-30, 2024! I want to call your attention to a key current volunteer opportunity:

Council & Committee Positions (Deadline: March 13, 2024)

The ASBMR Nominating Committee is actively seeking candidates for the positions of President-Elect and Councilor, which will be elected by the membership in the summer of 2024. Additionally, nominations are open for various committee chair and member positions. All elected officers, councilors, and committee members will serve 3-year terms starting after the 2024 Annual Meeting. To nominate a colleague or express your interest, please submit an application by the March 13 deadline.

This and other options are already available. Starting in March, we will also widely announce microvolunteer opportunities as they are made available with a new brand identity through the Society’s weekly member e-news, social media channels and the ASBMR website. Please be on the lookout for these regular opportunities by checking our website.

Your participation contributes not only to the success of our organization but also helps shape the future of bone and mineral research. Thank you for your continued active involvement and dedication to advancing the field. I look forward to collaborating with you in making a lasting impact on the ASBMR community. 

Sincerely,

Laura Calvi, M.D.
ASBMR President