Suggestions for Getting Involved
(The following text is used with permission from the OB Division. It has been modified from its original form to make it more generalizable to the Academy as a whole.)Below you will find a section detailing volunteer opportunities that exist prior to and during the annual meeting. Most of these roles have been filled for the 1999 meeting, but recruiting for the 2000 meeting will begin in Chicago. The best way to get involved is to attend the division business meetings.
During the meeting next year's event organizers will be announced. These individuals will be looking for assistance. Indicate your desire to help out. Do not be bashful; the only qualification is willingness to serve!
We would also like to encourage greater interaction among the newest members of the division. Please consider attending your respective division's social hour.
Have a safe trip and GET INVOLVED!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many opportunities to get involved in and learn more about the numerous Divisions of the Academy of Management. Volunteering is a great way to meet fellow members of the Academy and to make a positive contribution to the division and the Academy. We strongly encourage you to take initiative by contacting current members of your divisions to learn more about the ways in which you can usefully volunteer your time. Another great way to learn about opportunities to volunteer is by attending the division business meetings, generally held at the annual Academy of Management Meetings in August.
Although we believe that one of the best ways to get involved in the divisions is to attend the annual Academy of Management Meetings, there are opportunities to participate even if you are unable to attend the meetings. For example, you might consider volunteering to review papers submitted for the August meetings. Reviewing occurs in the winter (typically in January). If you're interested in serving as a reviewer, please read the Academy publications to learn who is serving as the current division Program Chair. We suggest that you contact this person in advance of the paper submission deadline.
If you are able to attend the Academy of Management Meetings there are several ways that you can get involved with the divisions. You may volunteer to serve as a discussant or chair for some of the meeting sessions. It may also be useful to log on to AOM web page (http://www.aom.pace.edu) and look under the division headings to obtain additional contact information. We would strongly encourage you to attend the division business meetings and social hours at the annual Academy Meetings. In addition to learning how the division is run, you will also learn about the various committees associated with the division and what they do. During and after the business meeting there are often opportunities to volunteer to participate in a variety of planning and ad hoc committees. If you are unable to attend the meetings, be sure to read the division news publications which typically summarizes what transpired at the business meeting. These publications often includes appropriate contact information. The Academy also provides opportunities to develop, offer and/or participate in pre-conference workshops and consortia.
Finally, in addition to the Annual Academy of Management Meetings, there are five regional Academies. If you are interested in volunteering your time in the divisions of these regional Academies, you can log onto the Academy web page to obtain the necessary contact information.
The Academy benefits from having members like you who are willing to unselfishly volunteer their time. We hope that you explore the opportunities that we have identified in addition to learning about other opportunities that we have not identified. We believe that if you take the first step, everyone will reap the benefits.