Session Details

Name
A Pathway to Leadership: Volunteer for a Professional Membership Association
Track
Leadership & People Strategy
Date & Time
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location Name
Ballroom C
Presentation

Learning Objectives

Name
A Pathway to Leadership: Volunteer for a Professional Membership Association
Description

Professional membership associations offer unique opportunities for leadership development that extend far beyond traditional workplace hierarchies. This session explores how volunteering within these organizations provides members with hands-on experience in essential leadership competencies including strategic planning, team management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational governance. Participants will discover how committee work, board service, and project leadership roles within associations can build critical skills such as consensus-building, conflict resolution, and change management in a low-risk environment. RESNA Immediate Past President Carmen DiGiovine, PhD, ATP/SMS, RET and Executive Director Andrea Van Hook will share their own stories in professional membership associations and how it has benefited their careers.

Proposed Learning Objective (1)
Identify at least three volunteer opportunities commonly available within professional membership associations and explain how each provides value to members.
Proposed Learning Objective (2)
Describe at least two leadership competencies that can be developed through volunteering in a professional membership organization and explain how those competencies apply to workplace leadership.
Proposed Learning Objective (3)
Identify at least three personal benefits of serving on a committee within a professional membership organization and explain how each contributes to professional growth and career development.

CEU and CEC

When applicable, the CEU or CEC credits for each accrediting body are displayed below.

ABC CEU
1.0
BOC 1 CEU
0
BOC 2 CEU
1.25
AARC CEU
1.0
CEAC CEC
1.0
IACET CEU
0.1
SHRM CEU
0
Contact Hours
1.0